Permission granted voluntarily by a person who is of sound mind and aware of all factors involved is called what?

• A. Informed consent
• B. Implied consent
• C. Assent
• D. Coercion

Answer: (A)

Informed consent is the voluntary permission given by a person who is competent to understand the options and consequences of a health care decision. It means the person knows what the proposed treatment involves, including the risks, benefits, and alternatives, and chooses freely without pressure or manipulation. This respects patient autonomy and ensures they are making an informed, voluntary decision about their care.

Implied consent isn’t a fully informed agreement; it’s permission inferred from a person’s actions or the clinical situation when explicit consent cannot be obtained. Assent refers to agreement from someone who cannot give full legal consent, such as a minor, meaning they agree to treatment in a less formal way while a guardian or parent provides the formal consent. Coercion involves pressuring someone to agree, which invalidates valid consent.