A 78-year-old client is scheduled for an elective surgical procedure. The provider has thoroughly explained the risks, benefits, and alternatives, and the client has signed the consent document. The client's adult child tells the nurse, 'My parent should not be signing legal documents. Lately, they forget where they put their keys and repeat the same stories. Their mind is obviously failing.' The nurse's assessment reveals the client is fully oriented, calmly articulates the purpose of the surgery, and demonstrates a clear understanding of the procedure. Which of the following actions is the most appropriate for the nurse to take?
- AVoid the client's signed consent and instruct the adult child to sign a new form due to the reported memory changes.
- BAssume the adult child is the designated decision-maker for the family unit and allow them to revoke the consent.
- Acknowledge the child's concerns, but uphold the client's consent as valid since the assessment indicates legal competence.Answer
- DDirect the unlicensed assistive personnel to perform a cognitive assessment to verify the client's memory status.
Answer
The nurse should uphold the client's consent as valid because the assessment demonstrates the client is oriented, understands the procedure, and is legally competent.
The correct action is to uphold the client's consent because the nurse's independent assessment confirms the client is alert, oriented, and understands the surgical procedure. Minor memory issues reported by family do not override a client's legal competence to make informed healthcare decisions.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Informed Consent and Client Competency