Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

What does a patient give when informed of treatment risks and agrees to proceed?

1. Express consent

2. Informed consent

3. Implied consent

4. Hospital consent

The correct answer is: Informed consent

The correct choice is informed consent, which refers to the process in which a patient is fully educated about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed treatment or procedure. Informed consent is not just a simple agreement; it requires that the patient has been provided with adequate information and understands it well enough to make a voluntary decision. This ensures that patients are actively participating in their own care and making decisions based on a thorough understanding of what to expect. Informed consent is a legal and ethical obligation for healthcare providers, ensuring that patients are empowered to take an active role in their healthcare decisions. It also serves to protect the healthcare provider, illustrating that the patient was made aware of potential risks and options before proceeding. In contrast, express consent generally refers to explicit agreement given by the patient, which may not encompass the complete understanding of risks involved. Implied consent usually applies in emergency situations where a patient cannot communicate their wishes but where it is assumed they would consent to treatment if able. Hospital consent might pertain to the administrative aspects of a patient's acceptance of care but does not specifically denote the patient’s understanding of risks and benefits related to the treatment proposed.