A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter and is verifying the client’s express consent for this procedure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A.
Check the medical record for the client’s signature on a previous consent form.
B.
Have another nurse co-sign the client’s consent.
C.
Obtain verbal consent from the end.
D.
Witness the client’s signature on a consent form.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Witness the client’s signature on a consent form.
Explanation:
Informed consent is a critical aspect of nursing practice and patient rights, particularly for invasive procedures like inserting an indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse plays an essential role in ensuring that the client fully understands the procedure, the risks involved, and any alternatives before giving consent.
- Option A: Check the medical record for the client’s signature on a previous consent form. This option is not appropriate because consent forms for invasive procedures are specific to the procedure being performed. Previous consent forms, even if present, do not apply to a new or different procedure unless it is explicitly stated.
- Option B: Have another nurse co-sign the client’s consent. This is incorrect. Informed consent cannot be validated through another nurse’s signature; it must come directly from the client, with the nurse acting as a witness. The nurse’s responsibility is to witness the signature, not to delegate the role of obtaining consent to another healthcare provider.
- Option C: Obtain verbal consent from the client. Verbal consent might be acceptable in some cases, but for invasive procedures like catheter insertion, written consent is usually required. This ensures there is a clear, legally binding record that the client agreed to the procedure and understood the associated risks.
- Option D: Witness the client’s signature on a consent form. This is the correct action. The nurse is responsible for witnessing the client signing the consent form. Witnessing means verifying that the signature on the form belongs to the client and that the client is voluntarily agreeing to the procedure after being properly informed. The nurse does not need to explain the procedure in detail, as this is usually the role of the healthcare provider performing the procedure, but the nurse ensures that the client is signing voluntarily and is competent to make the decision.
Informed consent is a legal and ethical obligation, safeguarding patient autonomy and promoting clear communication between healthcare providers and patients.