A patient with severe pneumonia becomes confused and cannot understand the purpose or risks of a proposed invasive procedure. Which action is most appropriate?
Correct answer: C. Notify the healthcare team and follow the approved surrogate process
- A. Ask the patient's neighbour to sign the consent form
- B. Proceed because the procedure is recommended by the doctor
- C. Notify the healthcare team and follow the approved surrogate process
- D. Ask the patient to sign quickly before the confusion worsens
Explanation
A confused patient may lack decision-making capacity for that procedure, so the nurse should alert the team and support the legally recognised substitute decision process. An unrelated neighbour cannot provide valid consent merely because the patient is confused.
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About Nursing Ethics
Nursing ethics examines autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, fidelity, veracity, confidentiality and respect for dignity. It covers informed consent, patient advocacy, privacy, refusal of treatment, end-of-life decisions and ethical dilemmas, while distinguishing ethical duties from legal requirements and personal beliefs.
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