An infant has been admitted to the hospital for gastroenteritis. Friends of the family stayed in the room while the patient’s father talks to other family members in the lobby. The nurse prepares to remove an infiltrated IV line and place a new one. The visitor stops the nurse and insists that the nurse obtains consent from the parents. Which is the most appropriate response?

Question

An infant has been admitted to the hospital for gastroenteritis. Friends of the family stayed in the room while the patient&rsquo;s father talks to other family members in the lobby. The nurse prepares to remove an infiltrated IV line and place a new one. The visitor stops the nurse and insists that the nurse obtains consent from the parents. Which is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

“I appreciate your concern. Would you like me to show you what I am doing and why?”. Parents agree to certain interventions, such as IV line placement, when they seek medical care. Any previous consent would apply to this situation&mdash;the parents would need to actively protest further treatment at this point. Furthermore, routine procedures that are noninvasive or have low risk of harm and considered routine and do not require formal consent. The friends are trying to be protective of the child, so it is best to diffuse the situation. Asking them to watch what you are doing and explaining the process can decrease their anxieties.

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