Consent, Admission, Discharge & Certification

Question 1

Where is the word Autonomy derived from?

Answer 1

Greece

Question 2

What does ‘autos’ mean?

Answer 2

Self

Question 3

What does ‘nomos’ mean?

Answer 3

Rule
(Governance or law)

Question 4

What does autonomy mean?

Answer 4

Freedom to determine one’s own actions + behaviours

Question 5

What is meant by ‘Personal autonomy’?

Answer 5

At a minimum:

• Self rule = The right or state of self-government
• Free from both controlling interference by others + by certain limitations, such as inadequate understanding, that prevents meaningful choice

Question 6

True or False.

It can be said that animals lack autonomy + as such, is passed on to their owners.

Due to this, RVNs need to consider this, when reffering to the owner’s duty of care.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What is the principle respect for autonomy?

Answer 7

To respect autonomous agents is to acknowledge their right to:
* Hold views
* Make choices
* Take actions, based on their personal values + beliefs

Question 8

What is it to respect the principle of autonomy?

Answer 8

• Involves the acknowledgement the value + decision making rights of a person
• & enable them to act autonomously

Question 9

Name the 3 primary areas within the law of consent

Answer 9

1. Battery
2. Negilgence

Question 10

What 2 types of law covers battery + negilgence?

Answer 10

1. Civil law
2. Common law
   ( + Statutes of relevance)

Question 11

True or False.

Battery is not a legal threat, if the patient has been lied to about a tx or there is other fraud, in the informed consent, then the entire consent is still valid.

Answer 11

False.

Battery is a legal threat + if there is fraud in the informed consent, then the entire consent is invalid!

Question 12

Is it ethical to proceed w/ interventions that are not supported by informed consent?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

What 3 core requirements are required, according to the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct, in order to gain informed consent from a client?

Answer 13

1. Fully aware of all tx options
2. Understand + fully aware of significant risks
3. Tx or px has been explained in a way a client can understand

Question 14

What is the latin name for consent?

Answer 14

Consentire

Question 15

What does consent mean?

Answer 15

To agree

Question 16

What are the 3 types of valid consent?

Answer 16

1. Implied
2. Verbal
3. Written

Question 17

What is meant by valid consent?

Answer 17

Actions taken to indicate what a client wants you to do

Question 18

What’s an example of implied consent?

Answer 18

By a client filling in a form, assuming there details will be passed on

Question 19

When gaining verbal consent, what must you ensure?

Answer 19

That you record in a very detailed + accurate manner

Question 20

What are the 3 main criteria required to gain informed consent?

Answer 20

1. Age
2. Maturity
3. Mental capacity

Question 21

At what age can you be legally responsible, but not financially responsible, in Scotland?

Answer 21

Over 16 y/o

Question 22

At what age can you be financially responsible in Scotland?

Answer 22

Over 18 y/o

Question 23

Is mental capacity included in the RVNs duty of care?

Answer 23

Yes

Question 24

Who is primarily responsible to ensure the person/client has sufficent mental capacity?

Answer 24

VS

Question 25

What 5 pieces of information should be given to an owner on the procedure?

Answer 25

1. Price estimate *(Everything, inc diagnostics etc)* 1. What the procedure involves 1. Risks 1. Prognosis 1. Alternative treatments

Question 26

Would it be illegal to perform surgery on an animal without a signed consent form?

Answer 26

No! Because, from a legal point of view, the key thing would be that the owner has given valid consent - which could be given verbally, over the phone!

Question 27

What is the purpose of a consent form?

Answer 27

* To communicate that consent has been obtained to other members of the V team * To provide evidence that the owner has given valid consent

Question 28

If it is technically not illegal to perform surgery on animal without a signed consent form, as money hasn't been exchanged for the tx and therefore a contract, is this deemed ethical?

Answer 28

No, it's not ethical + why it shouldn't be done, if it can be avoided

Question 29

List the information required to be filled in on a consent form

Answer 29

* Clearly written consent * Easily understood * Signed by the client, only when he or she fully understands the procedure involved + implications * Person must be over the age of 18 * Dated * Procedure to be taken * Contact details * Name + address of client * Pet details * Pre-anaesthetic bloods *(if req)*

Question 30

What are the 2 roles of the VS when gaining consent to tx a patient?

Answer 30

1. To gain consent via a consent form, from the owner of the patient 2. Take action, where consent is either withheld or the person is not avaliable

Question 31

As well as making clients aware of the risk of a procedure, what 2 other possible things may be considered?

Answer 31

1. Discuss the benefits of the proposed tx's 2. Allow the client to weigh up the risks + benefits ## Footnote Ricks = pros + cons

Question 32

How should information be presented to clients, from a proffessional stand-point?

Answer 32

It is given impartially

Question 33

Is it still the VS's responsbility to inform the client that other veterinary staff or professionals may be performing the procedure that they have consented for?

Answer 33

Yes!

Question 34

Can anyone other than a VS obtain informed consent?

Answer 34

Yes, but only under VS direction

Question 35

What must a VS consider when delegating the responsbility of obtaining informed consent from a client? | *(Or any other procedure)*

Answer 35

* Are they suitably trained? * Have they got sufficent knowledge of: 1. Proposed procedure 1. Risks 1. Tx

Question 36

What is the schedule 3 exemption? + What Act does this refer to?

Answer 36

Under Schedule 3 to the **Veterinary Surgeons Act** of **1966**, only registered veterinary nurses and student veterinary nurses have the privilege to perform certain procedures in veterinary practice, as delegated to them by veterinary surgeon colleagues employed in the same practice. This includes: * The privilege of giving any medical treatment or carrying out minor surgery, not involving entry into a body cavity, is given to: * Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) * Under the direction of their employer * To animals under their employer's care. * Perform first aid * Minor stich-ups

Question 37

What does section 1g of the Guide to Professional Conduct state about VS + fee estimates?

Answer 37

That a VS has the responsbility to give realistic fee estimates based on tx options

Question 38

What must VS's consider when discussing fee estimates or tx costs with clients?

Answer 38

* Discuss w/ the client + gain informed consent * The quote may be binding in law * Owners must be warned that additional charges may arise if complications occur * Pre + Post-operative checks + diagnostic tests may increase costs * Fees should be written on the consent form * Higher fees = greater need for transparency