Deck 6: Informed Consent: Rights and Obligations

Question 1

An older adult patient's initial and seemingly irrational refusal to give consent indicates mental incompetence.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The nurse administering an enema is concerned because the patient appears to be trying to stop the procedure. The nurse does not stop because the fluid is only partially administered, and the nurse continues with the task until it is completed. Is this nurse liable for battery?

A) This nurse is not liable for battery because once a procedure is started, it must be completed.
B) This nurse is liable for battery because there was too much fluid and this caused the patient discomfort.
C) This nurse is liable for battery because the patient withdrew consent.
D) This nurse is not liable for battery because consent was never obtained.

Answer 2

This nurse is liable for battery because the patient withdrew consent.

Question 3

A patient in the nurse's care is having surgery today and has signed only a general consent form. What other information must be documented?

A) Physician documentation of the patient's consent
B) Physician documentation related to risks, consequences, and benefits of the procedure
C) Time and date the consent was received
D) All are correct

Answer 3

All are correct

Question 4

The nurse tells a patient, through speech and miming, that she will be giving an enema to the patient. The patient implies consent by nodding her head. The patient suffers rectal trauma and bleeding during the procedure. Is the nurse liable, and why?

A) The nurse is not liable because she explained the procedure and received the patient's consent.
B) The nurse is liable because she did not have written, procedure-specific consent from the patient.
C) The nurse is liable because she did not note the date and time of the consent.
D) The nurse is liable because she did not obtain informed consent.

Question 5

Who is first considered to be a substitute decision maker if a married client cannot make decisions?

A) The client's spouse
B) The client's adult child
C) The physician
D) The client's parent

Question 6

Which of the following is a component of informed consent?

A) The consent must be voluntary.
B) The consent must be specific to the proposed treatment or procedure.
C) The patient must be legally capable.
D) All are correct.

Question 7

Consent must be expressed either verbally or in writing and be based on relevant information.

Question 8

Which of the following type of law regulates consent to treatment?

A) Custom
B) Common law
C) Regulations
D) Statute law

Question 9

Which of the following ethical principles is the hallmark of informed consent?

A) Autonomy
B) Accountability
C) Fidelity
D) Beneficence

Question 10

In provinces where children have the right to make decisions about their own health care, at which of the following ages or stages must a child be to give consent to treatment?

A) The child must be at least 12 years old.
B) The child must be capable of understanding the treatment.
C) The child must be living away from home.
D) The child must be at least 16 years old.

Question 11

It is the nurse's responsibility to determine if anyone else may be present to help the patient interpret or clarify the information being given.

Question 12

The team caring for an incapable person must always respect the decisions of a legally appointed substitute decision maker.

Question 13

It is ethically appropriate for a nurse to withhold explaining all the risks of a procedure to a client to decrease the client's anxiety.

Question 14

A nurse is working in a busy emergency room (ER), and an unconscious patient needs timely interventions to avoid rapid deterioration. Should treatment be withheld until consent can be obtained from a substitute decision maker?

A) Yes, because treatment without consent in this situation would be considered battery.
B) No, because this is an emergency situation, and the nurse cannot be found negligent if treatment is not given.
C) Yes, because in emergency situations the nurse is not protected against liability.
D) No, because in emergency situations the nurse is protected against liability.

Question 15

Which of the following terms best describes a nurse who touches a client without the client's consent?

A) Abuse
B) Battery
C) Misconduct
D) Negligence