QOD 047: Adult trauma (Management of Care)

An unconscious client is brought in to the emergency room and needs immediate surgery for bleeding from the chest. A staff member explains that surgery cannot be done because the client cannot consent. Which of the following is the best response by the nurse?

• “Consent is never a requirement in the emergency room if the client is conscious or not”
• “I can provide the consent for the client as a registered nurse”
• “Hopefully someone who knows this client will show up soon and the procedure can start”
• “Implied consent applies to this situation”