A culture question

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This question is based on the hispanic culture, where it haves high elder values... can you guy help me out?

A hispanic child is in the hospital preparing for surgery. the grandmother is the primary caregiver, and at this time the parent are presence. grandma sign the consent. what should nurse do

a. accept grandma sign... and prepare surgery

b. accept grandma sign... and ask parent to cosign then....

I hate culture question

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B. The grandparent isn't the legal signatory as she isn't the child's guardian.

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

The legal guardian must sign the consent form. Have the parents sign the form.

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Specializes in OB.

You may want to show courtesy by including the grandparent in teaching and suggest that the parents discuss the surgery with the grandparent before having the parent sign the permit.

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As others have said, it's not a culture thing; it's a legal thing.

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i think the "cultural" aspect here is how you get what you need.....the parents signature......perhaps explaining to the grandmother privately that you need the parents signature because that is the law HERE, would be appropriate....rather than in front of the parents....so as not to undermine her standing in the family hierarchy?

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.

You said that the grandmother is the "primary caregiver", is she is also the legal guardian? If so then she can sign, if not then the parents need to sign. Pretty simple and isn't due to culture but legality.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

If this were me in the situation, I'd:

explain to them all together that I understand that the grandmother is the primary caregiver for the child and I respect that. However, for legal reasons, unless Grandma has legal custody of the child, the parents have to sign consent for any procedures for him/her. I'd have the parents and grandparents cosign if it would help everyone feel better. If, after that, the parents want to leave and have Grandma stay with the child to care for him (esp if he'll be more comfortable that way) I'm cool with that.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I've had a few situations where I'm not 100% sure a patient is competent to sign for surgery. In that case, I've had both the patient and the closest relative, husband or child, sign too. I can't see where it would hurt to have both signatures there. Nobody has ever gotten upset with it.

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