Question
The nurse is preparing a client for surgery. The client states that they feel very nervous and really do not understand what the surgical procedure is for or how it will be performed. What is the most appropriate nursing action for the nurse to take?
Call the surgeon to review the procedure with the client. Have the client sign the informed consent and place it in the chart. Provide the client with a pamphlet explaining the procedure. Explain the procedure clearly to the client and the family.
Call the surgeon to review the procedure with the client. Have the client sign the informed consent and place it in the chart. Provide the client with a pamphlet explaining the procedure. Explain the procedure clearly to the client and the family.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The most appropriate nursing action for the nurse to take in this situation is to **call the surgeon to review the procedure with the client**.
While it is important to provide information and support to the client, the detailed explanation of the surgical procedure and the specific risks and benefits should come from the surgeon, as they have the expertise to explain the procedure clearly and answer any questions the client may have. The nurse can provide additional support and reassurance, but the client’s understanding of the procedure directly from the surgeon is critical for informed consent.
Having the client sign the informed consent before adequate understanding is not appropriate, and simply providing a pamphlet may not address the client’s specific concerns. Additionally, while explaining the procedure to the client and family is helpful, direct communication from the surgeon is essential for ensuring comprehensive understanding.
While it is important to provide information and support to the client, the detailed explanation of the surgical procedure and the specific risks and benefits should come from the surgeon, as they have the expertise to explain the procedure clearly and answer any questions the client may have. The nurse can provide additional support and reassurance, but the client’s understanding of the procedure directly from the surgeon is critical for informed consent.
Having the client sign the informed consent before adequate understanding is not appropriate, and simply providing a pamphlet may not address the client’s specific concerns. Additionally, while explaining the procedure to the client and family is helpful, direct communication from the surgeon is essential for ensuring comprehensive understanding.