What legal term describes permission given voluntarily by a person of sound mind after risks are explained?

• A. Informed consent
• B. Implied consent
• C. Express consent
• D. Written consent

Answer: (A)

Informed consent means a person who has the capacity to decide is given clear information about a proposed procedure, including the risks, benefits, and alternatives, and then freely agrees to proceed. The emphasis on understanding and voluntariness is why this is the best fit for the description. It centers on respecting a patient’s autonomy by ensuring they truly comprehend what they’re agreeing to before giving permission.

Implied consent involves agreement inferred from a person’s actions, typically when they can’t communicate, not from a formal explanation of risks. Express consent is explicit agreement, which may be verbal or written, but it doesn’t by itself guarantee that the person was fully informed. Written consent is simply the documented form of consent, not the defining feature of being informed.