After providing a patient with a preoperative sedative, the nurse notes that the surgical consent form has not been signed by the patient. What should the nurse do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should immediately contact the surgeon to inform them that the consent form has not been signed by the patient. The surgeon will need to decide whether to obtain the patient's signature before proceeding with the surgery or to postpone the surgery until a signed consent form can be obtained. It is important for the patient's safety and the physician's liability to have a signed consent form on file before any surgical procedure. Asking the patient to sign, sending them to surgery with an unsigned consent form, or notifying the operating room suite are not appropriate actions in this situation.

After Providing a Patient with a Preoperative Sedative, the Nurse