title: Young teenagers providing their own surgical consents: an ethical-legal dilemma for perioperative registered nurses.
abstract: During the delivery of health care, ethical-legal problems are not uncommon and can be defined as situations that have potential legal consequences when equally compelling ethical reasons for and against a particular course of action are recognized and a decision must be made. Ethical-legal repercussions may occur when obtaining surgical consent from a younger teenager (defined as dependant and/or under 18 years of age). An ethical-legal dilemma arising from the case of a 14-year-old, run away girl, who had signed her own surgical consent for a cholecystectomy is analyzed. The concept of consent is discussed and related to an actual case study. The elements of a valid informed consent are identified, discussed and related to the case study. Using the MORAL model for ethical decision-making the ethical implications of this case are analysed. Possible legal repercussions are addressed and a risk management strategy (suggested policy and documentation protocols for the consent process) is proposed and evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Grande Prairie Regional College.
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kuz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000416:Alberta; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004630:Emergencies / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016365:Liability, Legal; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033242:Minors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012308:Risk Management / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration