Case study. Jehovah Witness refuses blood transfusion

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Hi,

I am a nursing student and I working on this Case Study and I am not sure what an LPN would do in this situation. A 39 year old female Jehovah's Witness is rushed to the ER d/t a bleeding peptic ulcer. She refuses an ordered blood transfusion preoperatively. Explain the priority action a LPN should take in this instance.

I think I would make sure the patient understands what she is refusing and I would document her refusal. Then I would let the RN know and inform the Dr. Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks :heartbeat

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

It's above your pay grade - you document, tell the RN and the MD and they go by what the ethics committee has most recently decreed on to formalize the refusal. This is not a minor patient, so there's generally no way her wishes can be legally overruled.

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HI TS,

Thank you. Sometimes it's difficult to find the answer in the book and I looked online. The book says to respect the patient's beliefs and provide comfort. In a crisis situation like this one, I am sure an RN would be present, or I would get one ASAP. Thanks again.

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