teaching surgical procedures

[whichway]

Today at clinicals, consent witnessesing came up. One of the licensed practicing LPNs said she is often asked to teach upcoming procedures and then sign,and document the patient understood the teaching. It's my understanding a RN doesn't teach a procedure they aren't licensed to do and when they document consent, they are witnessing just the signature not that the patient understood the procedure teaching they received. Am I confused?

[4_Sq]

In Canada, the surgeon "teaches" the patient about the surgical procedure, the RN may witness a patient's written consent for the surgical procedure, but the explanation & patient comprehension of the procedure is left for the surgeon to discern.

That is not to say that the nurse does not have a role in discovering if the surgeon has given explanation and clarification of the procedure to the patient. The nurse should advocate for the patient if he/she does not understand the procedure, then ask surgeon to explain it.

As an OR RN (which I am), I would not put my signature to a surgical consent form, saying I taught the patient about their surgical procedure.. I know you are not in Canada, but I think the same may apply to the US.

HOWEVER, RN's & LPN's do a lot of pre-op & post-op teaching, it is just that is perfectly fine... & the nurse may sign in the NURSES NOTES that she has done the pre or post op teaching. :

The consent is a separate paper that is for the surgeon & patient & this paper is only signed by a nurse as a witness to the patient's written consent..

Hope this helps.

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

Physicians explain the surgical procedure. All the RN is doing is signing as a witness that the physician informed the patient about the procedure and answered any questions and the patient consented to have the procedure done.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

We were told it's not our responsibility to explain the procedure and also that LPNs here can't teach squat.

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

We were told it's not our responsibility to explain the procedure and also that LPNs here can't teach squat.

In Ohio LPN's can provide pre-printed materials and reinforce teaching done by an RN. Other than that teaching is a RN function.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

The RN witnesses that the patient SIGNED THE FORM. That's it. The physician explains the procedure, risks, benefits, answers questions, etc. The nurse witnesses that the patient has signed the form of their own will.