A patient is brought to the ER in an unconscious state. The physician notes that the patient is in need of emergency surgery. No family members are present, and the patient does not have identification. What action by the nurse is most important regarding consent for treatment?

(A) Ask the social worker to come and sign the consent. (B) Contact the police to obtain the patients identity. (C) Obtain a court order to treat the patient. (D) Clearly document LOC and health status on the patients chart.Answer Explanation: When patients are unconscious and in critical condition, the condition and situation should be documented to administer treatment quickly and timely when no consent can be obtained by usual routes. A social worker is not asked to sign the consent. Finding the patients identity is not a priority. Obtaining a court order would take too long.