A mentally competent adult client must give his/her own consent; parents or legal guardians may give consent for minors.

Clients need to understand:

1. Purpose of the procedure

2. Any reasonable alternatives

3. Risks, consequences, and benefits of the procedure and the alternative(s)

4. Risks and consequences if the treatment is refused

The physician caregiver has the legal obligation of obtaining a client's informed consent to medical/surgical treatment.

The nurse may be assigned the task of obtaining and witnessing the clients signature.

The nurse who is concerned about the validity of an informed consent has a legal obligation of telling the physician and the nursing supervisor about the concern.