The nurse is working with a client admitted with delirium and reduced level of consciousness due to pneumonia and respiratory failure. The nurse anticipates that the client may need to be intubated soon. The client is not able to make decisions. Who will make decisions for the client?

Question

The nurse is working with a client admitted with delirium and reduced level of consciousness due to pneumonia and respiratory failure.  The nurse anticipates that the client may need to be intubated soon.  The client is not able to make decisions.  Who will make decisions for the client?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a client is unable to make decisions, the health care proxy is legally able to make decisions for the client. In the event that the health care proxy is unable to fulfill this role, the responsibility goes to the alternate proxies identified on the advance directive. If the client does not have a health care proxy, the family members would make decisions for the client. Occasionally, there is no family and no proxy. If this happens, a proxy may be appointed, an ethics board may make the decision, or the HCP may be responsible for making the decision. (Options A, B, and C) The health care proxy would be the legally appointed primary decision maker. Educational objective: The role of the health care proxy is to make decisions for a client who is unable to do so. Ideally, the proxy will have a good understanding of the client's wishes and will be emotionally capable of fulfilling this important role.

The Nurse Is Working with a Client Admitted with Delirium