The circulator has transported the patient to the operating room but has forgotten the patient's chart. The circulator leaves the patient alone and returns to the preoperative area to get the chart. Upon returning, the circulator finds the patient lying on the floor. The circulator may be charged with ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Leaving a patient unattended, especially in a vulnerable situation such as being in an operating room, can be considered abandonment. This is because the healthcare provider has a duty of care towards the patient, which includes ensuring their safety and well-being at all times. Leaving to retrieve a chart without ensuring the patient is cared for in their absence breaches this duty.

The Circulator Has Transported the Patient to the Operating Room