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The preoperative admitting nurse witnessed a client sign an operative consent form. The nurse then cosigned the same document as a witness. The client suffered an injury during surgery and names the nurse in the suit because the nurse witnessed the consent form. What is the most likely outcome?

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The preoperative admitting nurse witnessed a client sign an operative consent form. The
nurse then cosigned the same document as a witness. The client suffered an injury during
surgery and names the nurse in the suit because the nurse witnessed the consent form. What
is the most likely outcome?
a. The nurse is not likely liable because the signature only specifies that the nurse
witnessed the client signing the consent form.
b. The nurse is likely not liable because surgery is beyond the nurse’s scope of
practice.
c. The nurse may be liable because cosigning the consent form makes the nurse an
equal member of the surgical team.
d. The nurse is liable because cosigning the consent form confirms that the client
fully understood the risks of surgery.

The answer is : a. The nurse is not likely liable because the signature only specifies that the nurse
witnessed the client signing the consent form.