questions!! hopefully, someone can help :)

[sweetieann]

I am looking for clarification on a few things before I take the test:

1)can a family member give consent for organ donation after their family member dies if there was no prior record that the pt wanted to donate their organs?

2) this might be silly BUT--do you always need patient consent before using restraints (physical or chemical?) What if they are about to harm thereselves--is this an emergent situation in which as long as the Dr. gives an order specifying parameters then it's ok? Can a pt's family member ok the restraints even if the pt doesnt want them? Just basically looking for some info here and believe it or not, can't find it in my texts spelled out....

Thanks you all! Good luck studying :)

[Myxel67]

No pt wants restraints and would not be asked to consent as far as I know. In CCU we had restraint orders for intubated pts to prevent self extubation. In other cases usually had to try other methods before going to restraints. 1:1 sitter, family member, etc. Also 4 side rails up was considered a restraint. I found this to be a very dangerout practice because pts were always trying to climb over to go to the bathroom.

Restraints do require doctor's order and frequent monitoring as prescribed by JCAHO.

[suzanne4, RN]

Restraints never need patient consent in an acute hospital. They do require a physician order. They can be placed in an emergency, and then the provider notified within a certain timeframe set by the facility to receive the order.

------------------------

As far as organ donation: Any donation requires signature/approval of the next of kin. It does not require previous written signature of the deceased.

And in quite a few states, even if someone has organ donor on their driver's license, it still requires approval of the next of kin before anything can be done. That is why it is always recommended that you share your wishes for organ donation with your family members.