informed consent Flashcards
what constructs must be present to be considered informed consent?
- information and knowledge
- comprehension and understanding
- freedom and voluntary participation
what exceptions apply to the constructs of informed consent?
- minor children
- mentally impaired
- comatose patients
describe construct 1 of informed consent
information and knowledge
- pt. should understand clearly: purpose, risks and benefits, alternative procedures, and anticipated results
- forthcoming and truthful; never withheld to elicit consent
describe construct 2 of informed consent
comprehension and understanding
- info must be presented to the patient at the level the pt. can understand (not informed consent unless understood)
- the more serious the risk, the more important full comprehension becomes
- may ask “which option do you choose and why?” to ensure comprehension
- may want to quiz the pt. to ensure comprehension
- dialogue is specific and direct and should include: ordinary terms, their customary language, possibility of no treatment and the consequences of that selection
describe construct 3 of informed consent
freedom and volunteerism
- freedom implies that the subject understands the situation and no coercion or undue influence has been used
- CRNA is allowed to state his/her own judgment about what is best for the patient if asked
what premise is informed consent based upon?
- based on the right/premise that people are responsible for their own destinies
- in a free society, people must be allowed to make important decisions of life for themselves whenever possible
- demonstrates respect for persons
describe informed consent
a competent individual makes his or her own decisions
-requires: 1) information 2) comprehension 3) freedom
describe presumed consent
a person is unable to give consent of their own accord, but it is reasonable to believe they would consent if able
ex: person is stabbed, makes it to ER and passes out; presumed consent to treatment since they brought themselves to the ER
describe implied consent
when a person gives consent to general things, it is implied that consent is given to the individual things involved
ex: sitting still and offering are for an IV prior to surgery, pt. is implying consent for anesthesia and surgery
describe proxy consent
when a patient is unable to give consent, another person makes the decision
- “substitute informed consent”
- specific conditons: 1) pt. unable to offer TRUE and INFORMED consent 2) person offering proxy consent must determine what the incompetent pt. would have wanted or decided were she or he able to
- proxy decision may not always warrant the well being of the pt.; therefore, it’s not absolute
what are specifics to a proxy consent?
- if a healthcare worker or physician determines that the proxy is not acting in the best interest of the pt., they have an ethical obligation to intervene
- proxy is asked to choose as the pt. would if able
- if no evidence exists about the pt.’s desires, the proxy is asked to choose the options that a “reasonable person” would choose (after complete informed consent about process, procedures, and potential outcomes)
- medical parties and proxy agree- care is rendered
what are exceptions that allow minors (under age 18) to provide own consent?
- married
- pregnant
- has children
define assault in criminal and tort law
threat or use of force on another that causes that person to have a reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact
define aggravated assault
criminal assault accompanied by circumstances that make it more severe, such as use of deadly weapon, the intent to commit another crime, or the intent to cause serious bodily harm
ex: assault with a deadly weapon in which the defendant, controlling the deadly weapon, threatens the victim with death or serious bodily harm (felonious assault)
define conditional assault
an assault expressing a threat on condition
ex: “your money or your life”