An unconscious client with a head injury needs surgery to live. His wi

An unconscious client with a head injury needs surgery to live. His wife only speaks French, and the health care providers are having a difficult time explaining his condition. Which of the following is the most correct answer regarding this situation?

1. An institutional review board needs to be contacted to give their emergency ad-vice on the situation.
2. The health care team should continue with the surgery after providing information in the best manner possible.
3. A friend of the family could act as an interpreter, but the explanation could not provide details of the client’s accident, because of confidentiality laws.
4. Two licensed health care personnel should witness and sign the preoperative con-sent indicating they heard an explanation of the procedure given in English.

ANSWER

ANS: 2
In emergency situations, if it is impossible to obtain consent from the client or an authorized per-son, the procedure required to benefit the client or save a life may be undertaken without liability for failure to obtain consent. In such cases, the law assumes that the client would wish to be treated. In an emergency, it is not necessary to contact the institutional review board. In doing so, it would take up valuable time. A family member or acquaintance that is able to speak a cli-ent’s language should not be used to interpret health information. An official interpreter must be available to explain the terms of consent (except in an emergency situation). Telephone consents usually require two witnesses. This is not the case in this situation.