Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

What type of consent is required for routine nursing interventions?

1. Informed consent

2. Implied consent

3. Verbal consent

4. Written consent

The correct answer is: Implied consent

For routine nursing interventions, implied consent is the appropriate type of consent required. Implied consent is based on the assumption that a patient has provided permission for healthcare professionals to perform standard care without the need for explicit verbal or written authorization. This form of consent is often established through non-verbal cues or the patient's agreement to receive care during the course of a medical interaction. For instance, when a patient presents themselves for treatment or follows instructions during routine care, such as a nurse taking vital signs or administering a vaccination, it is understood that they consent to these procedures by their actions. While informed consent, verbal consent, and written consent are critical for more invasive or complex medical procedures that carry higher risks, they are not typically required for standard, routine nursing activities. Informed consent involves providing detailed information and ensuring the patient understands the treatment, which is not necessary for minor, everyday nursing tasks. Similarly, verbal and written consents are reserved for procedures that require a more formal agreement due to their complexity or potential risks.