Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Communication and Legal/EthicalEasy
A medical assistant is preparing to obtain informed consent from a patient for a minor surgical procedure. Which of the following is the LAST step the medical assistant should take AFTER the physician has explained the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives?
- AEnsure the patient signs the consent form voluntarily.
- BProvide the patient with a copy of the signed consent form.
- CAsk the patient if they have any remaining questions.
- DDocument the patient's verbal agreement in the medical record.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Ensure the patient signs the consent form voluntarily.
After the physician's explanation and ensuring the patient understands and has no further questions, the final step in obtaining informed consent is for the patient to voluntarily sign the consent form, signifying their agreement to the procedure.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Providing a copy is good practice but happens after the form is signed, not as the last step in obtaining consent.
- C. Asking for questions is an important step before signing, not the very last step in the consent process itself.
- D. Documenting verbal agreement is part of the process, but signing the form is a more definitive final step for informed consent.
Informed Consent Process
The process by which a patient gives permission for a medical act after receiving full information about the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- Patient must be competent to make decisions.
- Information must be understood by the patient.
- Consent must be voluntary, without coercion.
Memory trick: PIC-V: Physician Explains, Patient Asks, Consent is Signed, Voluntarily.