Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardClient Rights and Advocacy

A practical nurse (PN) is assisting with the admission of an older adult client who is scheduled for a surgical procedure. The client's adult child is present at the bedside. Which actions by the PN demonstrate appropriate client advocacy and protection of client rights? (Select all that apply.)

  1. Witnessing the client's signature on the informed consent document after verifying the provider has answered all of the client's questions.Answer
  2. Requesting the adult child to step out of the room before conducting the mandatory admission screening for domestic safety.Answer
  3. Refusing a request from the adult child to withhold a terminal diagnosis from the client, and notifying the provider of the conflict.Answer
  4. D
    Elaborating on the surgical risks and alternative treatments to ensure the client is fully informed before signing the consent form.
  5. E
    Discussing the client's preoperative laboratory results with the adult child who steps into the hallway to request a status update.
  6. F
    Monitoring an unexplained, hand-shaped bruise on the client's arm for changes before notifying the provider or adult protective services.

Answer

The correct actions are: witnessing the signature on the informed consent after the provider explains the procedure, asking the family member to leave during the domestic safety screening, and refusing the family's request to withhold diagnostic information from the client.
Appropriate advocacy and protection of client rights involve acting within the practical nursing scope of practice. This includes witnessing informed consent only after the provider fulfills their educational duty, ensuring a private and safe environment to screen for domestic abuse, and upholding the client's fundamental right to be informed of their own medical diagnosis regardless of family wishes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate each action against the scope of practice for a practical nurse regarding informed consent.
Identify that witnessing the signature is within scope, while explaining risks and alternatives is strictly the provider's responsibility.
Nurses must clearly delineate their advocacy role from the provider's legal duty to inform.
2
Analyze each action involving the adult child for potential HIPAA violations or safety concerns.
Determine that sharing lab results breaches confidentiality, and allowing the child to stay during abuse screening compromises the assessment's integrity.
Client privacy and a safe reporting environment are fundamental client rights that supersede family curiosity or presence.
3
Review the remaining actions regarding the client's right to information and the nurse's mandated reporting duties.
Conclude that the client has a right to their own diagnosis, and that suspected abuse (hand-shaped bruise) requires immediate reporting, not monitoring.
Patient self-determination mandates full disclosure of health status, and mandated reporting laws require immediate action to protect vulnerable adults.

Key Concept

Client Rights and Advocacy
Rate this question

Topics

Client Rights and Advocacy

More questions from this topic