Patient Communication and Consent Flashcards
What is informed consent?
Consent given with full understanding of the benefits, risks, and alternatives, and must be voluntary and given by someone with capacity.
What are the three key elements of valid consent?
Voluntary, informed, and with mental capacity.
What is the best way to confirm patient understanding?
The teach-back technique — ask the patient to explain in their own words what they understood.
What is Gillick competence?
A legal principle allowing children under 16 to consent to their treatment if they demonstrate sufficient understanding and maturity.
What is the Mental Capacity Act 2005 designed to do?
Protect and empower people who lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions.
What are the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act?
Presume capacity
Support decision-making
Right to make unwise decisions
Best interests
Least restrictive option
How should you gain consent before administering medication?
Introduce yourself, explain the purpose and risks, answer questions, and ensure verbal, written, or implied consent is received.
What is covert medication administration?
Giving medication without a patient’s knowledge, used only when a person lacks capacity and it’s agreed it’s in their best interest.
How can nurses support communication in patients with language or understanding barriers?
Use visual aids, interpreters, plain language, and the teach-back method.
What communication techniques enhance medication adherence?
Motivational interviewing, plain language, open-ended questions, and written instructions.
What is concordance in healthcare?
A collaborative process where patient and clinician make shared decisions about treatment, reflecting patient values and preferences.
