NCLEX Review & Nursing School

Informed Consent

Informed Consent is the process in which the client is being informed of the risks, benefits and the different alternatives of certain procedures and gives consent for the procedures to be done.

– Most consent are written consents.
– Consent are legal documents

Exceptions of the Consent:
– life threatening emergencies
– Minors: Up to 18 years of age, a parents signature is required for consent.
– A mentally incaoacitated individual
– A patient that is not sober.

Informed consent is a process that includes all of these steps:

• You are told (or get information in some way) about the possible risks and benefits of the treatment.
• You are informed of the risks and benefits of other options, including not getting treatment.
• You have the chance to ask questions and get them answered to your satisfaction.
• You have had time (if needed) to discuss the plan with family or advisors.
• You are able to use the information to help make a decision that you think is in your own best interest.
• You share your decision with your doctor or treatment team.

If you have gone through these steps and decide to agree to the treatment or procedure, you are usually asked to sign a paper called a consent form. The completed and signed consent form is a legal document that lets your doctor continue with the treatment plan. The consent form names the procedure or treatment to be done.

From the doctor’s viewpoint, informed consent means that:

• A doctor or nurse must make every effort to be sure the patient understands the purpose, benefits, risks, and other options of the test or treatment.

• As long as the adult patient is mentally able to make his or her own decisions, medical care cannot begin unless the patient gives informed consent.

• If the patient is a minor (under age), or has a serious mental disability, or cannot give consent, then the parent, legal guardian, or a person authorized by the court must give consent.