In which circumstance might the nurse defer obtaining informed consent for care and treatment of a patient?

A) The patient is confused and cannot understand or sign the consent form.
B) The patient is brought to the emergency department in cardiac arrest; no family is present.
C) The surgeon requests that the patient be sent to the surgical suite before you get the consent form signed.
D) An unconscious patient is admitted to your unit; he is alone.

Question

Kendall Durrett · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  In an emergency situation where the patient is not able to give consent and there is no family member or legal representative available, the nurse may need to provide life-saving treatment without obtaining consent first. This is a legal and ethical principle called implied consent, which assumes that the patient would agree to necessary treatment if they were able to do so.

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