What should you do if a patient received a hip replacement and the anesthesiologist plans a nerve block without consent?

Obtaining consent from the medical power of attorney (POA) is the correct course of action in this situation. Informed consent is a fundamental principle in healthcare, ensuring that patients or their authorized representatives fully understand and agree to the proposed treatment or intervention. If the patient is unable to provide consent themselves due to anesthesia or other conditions, the POA steps in as the legally designated surrogate to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient.

This approach respects the rights of the patient while also adhering to legal and ethical standards in medical practice. Ensuring that consent is obtained from the POA safeguards against potential legal repercussions and upholds the integrity of the provider-patient relationship.

Proceeding with the nerve block without consent or adequate consent would violate the patient's rights and could lead to significant ethical and legal issues. Documenting the incident is important for maintaining accurate medical records but does not address the immediate need for consent. Therefore, obtaining consent from the medical POA is both the ethical and legally correct step in this scenario.