After a client has been premedicated for surgery with an opiod analgesic

After a client has been premedicated for surgery with an opiod analgesic

• A. Document the time of premedication in the chart
• B. Notify the surgeon that the consent form has been signed
• C. Notify the surgeon that the consent form has not been signed
• D. Ask the patient to sign the consent form again

Answer: (C)

Consent must be obtained from an individual who is capable of understanding the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives. When a patient has been premedicated with an opioid analgesic, the medication can cloud judgment and impair ability to understand and make an informed decision. In this state, the patient is not truly competent to give consent. Therefore the nurse should inform the surgeon that the consent form has not been signed and cannot be signed at this time, so the procedure cannot proceed until the patient is awake and able to consent (or until a legally authorized representative can consent). This helps ensure that the patient’s autonomy and rights are respected. Documenting only the time of premedication doesn’t address the validity of consent, and assuming consent or asking the patient to sign again while under the influence would be inappropriate.

Consent must be obtained from an individual who is capable of understanding the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives. When a patient has been premedicated with an opioid analgesic, the medication can cloud judgment and impair ability to understand and make an informed decision. In this state, the patient is not truly competent to give consent. Therefore the nurse should inform the surgeon that the consent form has not been signed and cannot be signed at this time, so the procedure cannot proceed until the patient is awake and able to consent (or until a legally authorized representative can consent). This helps ensure that the patient’s autonomy and rights are respected.

Documenting only the time of premedication doesn’t address the validity of consent, and assuming consent or asking the patient to sign again while under the influence would be inappropriate.