When preparing the patient for surgery, what is the nurse's priority action if the patient is confused and has pulled out her IV?

In a situation where a patient is confused and has removed their IV, the nurse's priority should be to ensure the patient's safety and overall well-being. Notifying the anesthesia team is crucial because they need to assess the patient's condition before any surgical procedure. Anesthesia personnel will want to evaluate how the patient's confusion could affect their ability to tolerate anesthesia and the surgery itself.

The confused state could indicate an underlying issue such as electrolyte imbalance, medication effects, or possible neurological concerns. Addressing these issues promptly before surgery is essential for minimizing risks and ensuring that the patient is as stable as possible.

While restarting the IV or documenting the behavior are important actions, they can be addressed after the immediate concern of ensuring anesthesia assesses the patient. Signing a consent form would not be appropriate in this context, given the patient's confusion; informed consent requires that the patient understands the procedure and is in a competent state to agree to it. Thus, notifying anesthesia is the best choice to prioritize patient safety.