Which pre-procedure nursing action is most appropriate for a patient scheduled for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
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Correct answer: Ensure informed consent is signed after discussing risks and benefits.
Informed consent is a fundamental nursing responsibility prior to ECT, including discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the procedure itself. Pre-procedure fasting is shorter (usually 6–8 h) for anesthesia, not 24 h; mental-status baseline should be recorded before the procedure for comparison; administering usual antidepressants just before ECT may increase risk of complications.
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More ECT and Brain Stimulation Therapies questions
- What is the primary rationale for using ECT in psychiatric practice?
- Which of the following patients is the best candidate for ECT?
- During the ECT procedure, what physiological monitoring is essential?
- After a patient completes a course of ECT, which cognitive side effect should the nurse monitor most closely?
- Which nursing intervention is unique to patients undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) compared to ECT?
- Which statement captures a key distinction between TMS and ECT?