Informed consent vs Implied consent and assent
How to tell Informed consent and Implied consent and assent apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Informed consent is explicit informed authorization; implied consent is emergency/routine context; assent is child agreement.
Side by side
Informed consent requires capacity, disclosure, understanding, voluntariness, and authorization before nonemergency interventions.
Implied consent applies to emergencies or routine low-risk actions; assent is a minor agreeing in developmentally appropriate language alongside guardian permission.
Informed consent requires capacity, disclosure, understanding, voluntariness, and authorization before nonemergency interventions.
Implied consent applies to emergencies or routine low-risk actions; assent is a minor agreeing in developmentally appropriate language alongside guardian permission.
The repair move
Before naming the answer, force the stem through the separator: Informed consent is explicit informed authorization; implied consent is emergency/routine context; assent is child agreement.
Try a free question
CoreA 45-year-old man is scheduled for elective cholecystectomy. Before surgery, the surgeon discusses the diagnosis, the procedure, expected outcomes, risks (bleeding, infection, bile duct injury), benefits (resolving symptoms), alternatives (medical management), and the no-treatment option. The patient asks questions and signs the consent form. Which type of consent is this?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Informed consent. Informed consent requires: (1) CAPACITY to make the decision; (2) DISCLOSURE of relevant information (diagnosis, procedure, risks, benefits, alternatives, no-treatment option); (3) UNDERSTANDING by the patient; (4) VOLUNTARINESS (no coercion); (5) AUTHORIZATION (explicit agreement). Required for all non-emergency interventions.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Implied consent applies to routine low-risk interactions (e.g., patient extending arm for blood draw).
- C. Presumed consent is the default in some organ donation systems (opt-out vs opt-in).
- D. Assent is a minor's developmentally appropriate agreement alongside guardian permission.
- E. Express consent is the same as informed consent here.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What clue supports Informed consent?
Choose Informed consent when the stem gives this pattern: Informed consent requires capacity, disclosure, understanding, voluntariness, and authorization before nonemergency interventions.
What clue supports Implied consent and assent?
Choose Implied consent and assent when the stem gives this contrasting pattern: Implied consent applies to emergencies or routine low-risk actions; assent is a minor agreeing in developmentally appropriate language alongside guardian permission.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Informed consent from Implied consent and assent?
Informed consent is explicit informed authorization; implied consent is emergency/routine context; assent is child agreement.
What is the key clue for Informed consent?
Informed consent requires capacity, disclosure, understanding, voluntariness, and authorization before nonemergency interventions.
What is the key clue for Implied consent and assent?
Implied consent applies to emergencies or routine low-risk actions; assent is a minor agreeing in developmentally appropriate language alongside guardian permission.