Final answer:
The best action for the nurse is to call the surgeon to obtain consent for surgery. This ensures the patient is fully informed and has given appropriate consent. Informed consent is a critical legal and ethical requirement in healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse notices that an informed consent form is not present or signed, the best action for the nurse to take is to call the surgeon to obtain consent for surgery. This is necessary to ensure that the patient has been fully informed about the procedure, including the risks, benefits, and alternatives, and has given consent freely without any coercion. It's also important for the patient to confirm their identity, the surgical site, and the procedure, and to have the surgical site marked if applicable. It should be noted that only a competent individual can sign their own informed consent, and verbal consent alone is not sufficient.
Moreover, informed consent is not just a formality; it's a crucial legal and ethical requirement in medical practice. It ensures patients are making informed decisions about their healthcare, which is fundamental for patient autonomy and rights. In certain emergency situations where the patient is unable to consent, exceptions might apply, and the medical team might act on the patient's behalf, but this should be done following strict legal and ethical guidelines.