What is the purpose of informed consent?

• A. To expedite treatment
• B. To respect patient autonomy
• C. To protect the provider from liability
• D. To minimize confusion

Answer: (B)

Respecting patient autonomy is the main purpose of informed consent. This means giving the patient clear information about what the treatment involves, including its risks, benefits, and realistic alternatives, as well as what could happen if they choose not to proceed. The patient must understand this information, be free from coercion, and be competent to decide. When these conditions are met, the patient can make an voluntary choice about their own care, which upholds their right to control what happens to their body. While clear communication and proper consent can reduce misunderstandings and may help protect against liability, those outcomes are not the primary goal. Expediting treatment isn’t achieved by consent and isn’t the purpose, and minimizing confusion, though a helpful byproduct of good communication, isn’t the central aim either. In practice, obtain informed consent before most procedures and revisit it if new information arises or circumstances change.