The nurse is reviewing the surgical consent with the patient during preoperative education.The patient indicates that he does not understand what procedure will be completed.What is the nurse's best next step?

A) Notify the physician about the patient's question.
B) Explain the procedure that will be completed.
C) Ask the patient to sign the form.
D) Continue with preoperative education.

Question

Evelyn Lopez · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : A, Explanation :  Surgery cannot be legally or ethically performed until the patient understands the need for a procedure,the steps involved,the risks,expected results,and alternative treatments.It is the surgeon's responsibility to explain the procedure and obtain informed consent.It is important for the nurse to pause to notify the physician of the patient's questions.It is not within the nurse's scope to explain the procedure for the first time.The nurse can certainly reinforce what the physician has explained,but the information needs to come from the physician.It is not prudent to ask a patient to sign a form for a procedure that he or she does not understand.

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