An operating room nurse just received a client scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but discovers the consent form has not been signed. What is the most appropriate action?
bring the client a new consent form and have him sign it right away
call the surgeon and ask how she would like to proceed
inform the nursing manager there is no signed consent form
ask the unit manager if the surgery can be rescheduled for later in the day
Number 3 is correct.
Rationale: It is the surgeon’s responsibility to have the consent form signed, and it must be signed before she performs this procedure (protocol differs for emergency situations). If the form has not been signed, the nurse should go up the chain of command and report this to the nurse manager. The nurse manager would work with the surgeon and facility policy to determine the next course of action.
