Answer:
When a patient uses autonomy to give informed consent, such patients are informed of the risks and capable of weighing the consequences of the decision.
Explanation:
All informed consent requires the patient to agree to a study or therapy when the health professional has provided all the necessary information including the potential benefits, effects and risks. In this case, the patient must be aware, assume the risk and agree to perform the study or treatment.
In the case of informed consent, the principle of autonomy applies to every patient in full use of his or her mental functions free from threats or coercion when deciding whether or not to accept a procedure, therapy or treatment.
Other options do not apply:
- The patient should not give informed consent if he does not know all the information related to studies, therapies or treatments.
- The mental disability or difficulty in understanding the risks does not allow autonomy in decision making.
- Not having the legal age of majority implies that there is no autonomy to make an informed consent.
