Paramedics brought a 24-year-old construction worker, who sustained massive head trauma due to a 30-foot fall, to the Emergency Department. Shortly after, the client died. The organ donation team was notified because the client was identified as a registered organ donor. The client’s mother is not comfortable with organ donation and does not want the transplant team to begin their work. The organ-donor representative and chaplain have tried to comfort her. The mother turns to Rick Rescue, RN and says “Don’t I have any say on what happens to my son? Don’t they need me to sign a consent form? Can I sue them for doing this?” Which one or more of the following would be an appropriate response?
Explanation
Answer: A and B - Rick Rescue, RN is providing therapeutic communication in an emotionally charged situation, while preventing communication barriers from developing. Without open and trusting communication, he will not be able to help the client’s mother to accept her son’s decision. If a client’s family is not in agreement with a client’s decision to become an organ donor, the hospital must comply with the client. According to the Anatomical Gift Act, a hospital would be liable for not following the client’s wishes, regardless of the family’s approval.
