What is the role of a nurse when it comes to obtaining consent?

The role of a nurse in obtaining consent is to ensure that the patient is fully informed about the procedure or treatment they are about to undergo and that their consent is given voluntarily without any pressure or coercion. This involves providing the patient with clear, relevant information regarding the risks, benefits, alternatives, and potential outcomes associated with the procedure. The nurse acts as an advocate for the patient by confirming that they understand this information before they agree to proceed.

A critical aspect of this process is respect for the patient's autonomy, meaning that the nurse must support the patient's right to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare. This includes checking that the patient has the necessary capacity to consent and addressing any questions or concerns they might have to enable them to make a well-informed choice.

Other responses might suggest that the nurse is responsible for making decisions for the patient, which undermines the principle of patient autonomy, or that consent is only necessary for minor procedures, which is not accurate since consent is required for any treatment or procedure. Documenting the patient's medical history, while important, does not reflect the specific responsibilities pertaining to the consent process itself.