What is 'informed consent' in healthcare?

Informed consent is both an ethical and legal requirement before most medical interventions. Elements that must be communicated: nature of the proposed treatment; purpose and expected benefits; significant risks and complications; reasonable alternatives (including no treatment); consequences of refusing the treatment. The consent must be: voluntary (free from coercion); informed (the client understood); given by a competent person. The physician or provider performing the intervention is responsible for obtaining informed consent; the nurse's role is to witness the signature, verify the client appears to understand and consent voluntarily, and notify the provider if questions or concerns suggest the client does not adequately understand. The nurse does not provide informed consent for medical or surgical procedures — that is the provider's responsibility. Special situations: emergencies (consent may be implied), minors (parent/guardian consents with some exceptions), psychiatric holds.