Asked by Beesan Daoud on May 09, 2024
Verified
A patient has chronic confusion secondary to dementia and is unable to sign an informed consent for surgery.What should be done in this situation?
A) An informed consent is not needed.
B) Two nurses may sign the informed consent for the patient.
C) The surgeon must sign the informed consent.
D) A family member will be asked to sign the informed consent.
Chronic Confusion
A long-term state of mental disarray where the affected individual has difficulty understanding their environment or making decisions.
Dementia
A category of brain diseases that cause a long-term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember, affecting daily functioning.
Informed Consent
A process in which a patient voluntarily agrees to a proposed medical procedure, after understanding the benefits, risks, alternatives, and potential consequences.
- Understand the legal and ethical obligations related to obtaining surgical consent.
Verified Answer
CP
Catherine ParlierMay 12, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
In this situation, a family member or legally authorized representative should be asked to sign the informed consent on behalf of the patient. It is important to ensure that the person signing the consent understands the risks and benefits of the procedure and is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the patient. A healthcare provider cannot sign the informed consent for the patient, as it would not be a true informed consent.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the legal and ethical obligations related to obtaining surgical consent.