Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

Who is primarily responsible for obtaining informed consent for a surgery?

1. Physician

2. Anesthesiologist

3. Nurse

4. Admissions clerk

The correct answer is: Physician

The primary responsibility for obtaining informed consent for a surgery rests with the physician. This is because the physician has the necessary medical knowledge to explain the procedure, its risks, potential benefits, and alternative options to the patient in a way that allows for an informed decision. The physician must ensure that the patient fully understands the information provided before signing the consent form. Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement in healthcare, emphasizing the patient's right to understand their treatment and make choices about their care. While other healthcare professionals, such as nurses and anesthesiologists, play important roles in the surgical process — including discussing elements related to their specific areas of expertise — ultimately, it is the physician who is accountable for securing consent. The admissions clerk does not have the medical knowledge necessary to provide the required information for informed consent and therefore is not involved in this process.