Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Which type of consent is typically given by a patient after being fully informed about the treatment?

1. Emergency consent

2. Expressed consent

3. Implied consent

4. Informed consent

The correct answer is: Informed consent

Informed consent is a fundamental principle in healthcare that ensures patients are fully aware of the treatments they will undergo, including the procedures, risks, benefits, and alternatives. This type of consent is obtained after healthcare providers give patients comprehensive information, allowing them to make educated decisions about their care. The process involves clear communication from the healthcare provider, ensuring that the patient understands the details and implications of the treatment. Patients must be given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their concerns. This respect for patient autonomy is crucial in fostering trust in the patient-provider relationship. In contrast, other types of consent, such as emergency consent, expressed consent, and implied consent, do not necessarily require the same level of detailed explanation and understanding. Emergency consent may be obtained in life-threatening situations where a patient is unable to provide consent due to their condition. Expressed consent refers to a patient explicitly agreeing to a procedure but may not always include the thorough explanation and information found in informed consent. Implied consent is often assumed based on the patient’s actions (like rolling up a sleeve for a blood draw) and does not involve formal communication or understanding of treatment details. Thus, informed consent remains the most comprehensive and ethical approach to obtaining a patient's agreement for medical treatment.