NCLEX Practice Questions ( Answer # 14)

A client is brought to the emergency department by emergency medical services (EMS) after being hit by a car. The name of the client is unknown, and the client has sustained a severe head injury and multiple fractures and is unconscious. An emergency craniotomy is required. Regarding informed consent for the surgical procedure, which of the following is the best action?

1. Obtain a court order for the surgical procedure.

2. Ask the EMS team to sign the informed consent.

3. Transport the victim to the operating room for surgery.

4. Call the police to identify the client and locate the family.

Rationale

Answer and Rationale:  Option 3 is Correct answer. Rationale: Generally, there are two situations in which informed consent of an adult client is not needed. One is when an emergency is present and delaying treatment for the purpose of obtaining informed consent would result in injury or death to the client. The second is when the client waives the right to give informed consent. Option 1 will delay emergency treatment, and option 2 is inappropriate. Although option 4 may be pursued, it is not the best action. Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination. Recalling that when an emergency is present and a delay in treatment for the purpose of obtaining informed consent could result in injury or death will direct you to option 3. Review the issues surrounding informed consent if you had difficulty with this question.

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