Informed Consent

Nursing Students NCLEX

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I'm sorry if its been asked before but I would like an updated response. So I'm having understanding informed consents only because I read in some places that the nurse HAS explain procedure if pt ask but I read in other sources that the nurse only serves as a witness and HAS to call the md(so its clarified). Which one is it guys? Thank you

Specializes in Dialysis.

I was told that the nurse should be the witness, but only witness if the patient understands the procedure. If they don't understand, it is the physician's responsibility to teach the patient about the procedure. I don't have a source or text, this is just something I remember so idk if you should quote me on that lol.

Specializes in Telemetry/ICU.

It is the Physician/Surgeons role to explain the procedure to the client and nurses' duty to ensure one is obtained before the client is sedated.

The nurse who obtains informed consent will read through the consent form with the client and answer questions about the contents of the form (remember, even though the form states the procedure to be performed, and who will be performing it, it is the surgeon's responsibility to explain exactly what this procedure is for, the expected outcomes or benefits and possible risks).

If the client agrees with what's on the form and has no questions for the surgeon, s/he signs the form.

The nurse who reviewed the form to the client and witnessed the client signing the form, will then co-sign the form.

ok MD is the teacher and nurse just clarifies the consent. thanks guys!

Which of the following is a true statement about the nurse’s role in obtaining informed consent?

The nurse who receives the client in the holding area of the OR is responsible for obtaining informed consent.

The nurse assigned to the client 24 hours before the surgery is responsible for obtaining informed consent for the surgical procedure.

3.The circulating nurse is responsible for obtaining informed consent only if an outpatient surgical procedure is performed.

4.The nurse is responsible for ensuring that informed consent has been obtained by the MD prior to the surgical procedure.

19.Which of the following is a true statement about the nurse's role in obtaining informed consent?

1.The nurse who receives the client in the holding area of the OR is responsible for obtaining informed consent.

2.The nurse assigned to the client 24 hours before the surgery is responsible for obtaining informed consent for the surgical procedure.

3.The circulating nurse is responsible for obtaining informed consent only if an outpatient surgical procedure is performed.

4.The nurse is responsible for ensuring that informed consent has been obtained by the MD prior to the surgical procedure.

Another thing to remember about informed consent is that if at any time the RN believes that the patient does not, in fact, understand what's about to happen, s/he has a legal and moral obligation to inform the physician to come and explain it again, even if the patient has already signed a consent and somebody has witnessed it. I have seen this happen many times. The physician doesn't like it, but if s/he didn't do a good enough job of explaining, it's still on him/her to do a better one.

The physician obtains consent. The nurse may witness that consent has been obtained. That does not mean the physician finds you and says, "I just told Mr. Jones about his operation. Can you sign this?" No. You didn't witness the patient's teaching or his signature, so you can't sign it.

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