A nurse is discussing organ donation with the parents of a school-age child who has sustained brain death due to a bicycle crash. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Inform the parents that written consent is required prior to organ donation.
Provide written information to the parents about organ donation.
Ask the provider to explain misconceptions of organ donation to the parents.
Explore the parents’ feelings and wishes regarding organ donation.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Explore the parents’ feelings and wishes regarding organ donation.
Explanation
When discussing sensitive topics such as organ donation, particularly in emotionally charged situations like the brain death of a child, the nurse’s first priority is to provide emotional support and assess the family’s emotional and psychological readiness to engage in the discussion. Therefore, the first action should be to explore the parents’ feelings and wishes regarding organ donation.
This approach is grounded in the principles of therapeutic communication and patient-centered care. At this initial stage, the parents are likely experiencing grief, confusion, and shock due to the sudden loss of their child. Jumping directly into logistics, like obtaining written consent or providing written materials, may seem impersonal and could alienate the family. By exploring their feelings first, the nurse can build trust, demonstrate empathy, and create a supportive environment that respects the parents’ emotional state.
Understanding the family’s values, cultural background, religious beliefs, and prior knowledge or misconceptions about organ donation is crucial. This discussion allows the nurse to identify concerns or barriers the parents might have and helps tailor the subsequent conversation and support accordingly.
Once the parents’ feelings have been addressed and they show a willingness to engage in the discussion, the nurse can then facilitate a more informative and structured conversation, which may include involving the physician or an organ donation coordinator, providing accurate information, and eventually obtaining written consent if the family agrees.
In summary, exploring the parents’ feelings and wishes first ensures that the nurse provides compassionate, respectful, and ethically sound care. It aligns with nursing priorities of emotional support, patient advocacy, and therapeutic communication in end-of-life and grief-related situations.
