Question

A 40-year-old client has been declared brain dead following a fall from a roof. The client's advanced directives state that he does not wish to have prolonged life measures and that only his heart, kidneys, and liver should be donated. The client's wife wants to also donate the client's corneas. What is the appropriate nursing action?

a. Discontinue life support in keeping with the client's wishes
b. Contact the organ procurement team to discuss organ donation with the wife
c. Prepare for harvesting of the client's heart, kidneys, liver, and corneas
d. Explain that organ harvesting requires that the client donate all organs, or none

Answer 1

The appropriate nursing action would be to contact the organ procurement team to discuss organ donation with the wife, respecting the client's wishes while involving the wife in the decision-making process.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the scenario, the client's advanced directives state that he only wishes to donate his heart, kidneys, and liver. However, the client's wife wants to also donate his corneas. In this situation, the appropriate nursing action would be to b. Contact the organ procurement team to discuss organ donation with the wife.

Organ donation is a complex process that involves coordination and communication between healthcare professionals, the family, and the organ procurement team. In this case, it is important to respect the client's wishes as stated in the advance directives, but also to involve the wife in the decision-making process. The organ procurement team can provide information and guidance on the options available for organ donation, including the donation of corneas.

It is important to consider the preferences and values of both the client and his wife, while also ensuring that legal and ethical guidelines surrounding organ donation are followed.