Who can provide informed consent for a medical procedure?

Informed consent for a medical procedure must be provided by the patient themselves or by an empowered representative who has been legally authorized to make decisions on behalf of the patient. This ensures that the individual providing consent has the capacity to understand the nature, risks, and benefits of the procedure and can give an informed response based on that understanding.

Empowered representatives might include a durable power of attorney for healthcare, legal guardians, or family members specifically designated to make healthcare decisions. The importance of this process is to respect the autonomy and rights of patients, ensuring they are actively involved in their own healthcare decisions.

The other options do not fulfill the legal and ethical requirements for informed consent. Medical professionals, like nurses or physicians, can facilitate the consent process or provide information but cannot unilaterally provide informed consent on behalf of the patient. Similarly, while family members may be involved in discussions about a patient’s care, they do not have the authority to provide consent unless they have been given the proper legal status to do so.