An alert and oriented 84-year-old client is admitted for an elective procedure. The client's adult child approaches the registered nurse and states, 'In our family's culture, the children make all medical decisions for aging parents. I will sign the surgical consent form because my parent is too old to handle this.' Which of the following is the most appropriate action by the nurse?
- Inform the adult child that a cognitively intact client must legally provide their own informed consent.Answer
- BAllow the adult child to sign the consent document to accommodate the family's stated cultural traditions.
- CAcknowledge that the client's advanced age requires a surrogate and obtain the adult child's signature.
- DDirect the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to obtain the client's signature while the nurse speaks with the child.
Answer
The nurse must inform the adult child that a cognitively intact client must legally provide their own informed consent.
The correct action is to protect the client's autonomy by affirming that a cognitively intact adult has the exclusive legal right to consent to their own medical care. While cultural sensitivity is a key component of nursing practice, it cannot supersede legal requirements for informed consent. Because the client is alert and oriented, they are considered legally competent.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Informed Consent and Client Autonomy