Define informed consent.

• A. A patient’s signature on a form only
• B. A patient’s voluntary agreement to comply with a treatment
• C. A patient’s consent obtained by consent form regardless of understanding
• D. A patient’s voluntary agreement to a treatment after understanding risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences

Answer: (D)

Informed consent is a process that respects patient autonomy by ensuring they can actively participate in decisions about their care. It means the patient is given clear information about what the treatment involves, including its risks, benefits, and possible alternatives, as well as the likely consequences of accepting or declining. The patient must understand this information, have the capacity to decide, and the agreement to proceed must be voluntary and free from coercion. It is not simply signing a form or agreeing to comply without understanding. When these conditions are met, the patient’s voluntary agreement to a treatment after understanding the risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences constitutes informed consent.