Which is the appropriate form of consent from a competent patient?

• A. Signed consent
• B. Oral consent
• C. No consent needed
• D. Consent from a surrogate

Answer: (A)

When a patient is competent, consent should be explicit and documented to respect their autonomy and provide a clear record of agreement. A signed consent form is the best option because it creates tangible evidence that the patient was informed about the procedure, including risks, benefits, and alternatives, and that they voluntarily agreed. This written record helps protect both the patient and the clinician if questions later arise. Oral consent may be valid in some situations, but it lacks durable documentation. Surrogate consent is for patients who lack decision-making capacity, which isn’t appropriate when the patient can understand and decide for themselves. No consent is not appropriate when the patient is capable of giving it.