# A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery later today. The provider has just left the room after obtaining informed consent. Which actions and observations reflect the nurse's correct role in the informed consent process? Select all that apply.

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> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=373400&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Management of Care  
> category: MOC

## Question

A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery later today. The provider has just left the room after obtaining informed consent. Which actions and observations reflect the nurse's correct role in the informed consent process? Select all that apply.

1

Notify the provider if the patient expresses uncertainty, voices new questions, or wishes to withdraw consent — even if the form is already signed.

2

When the surgeon is delayed in another case, obtain and witness the consent after explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient.

3

Assess decision-making capacity — alert and oriented, free of new sedating medications at the time of signing, and not under duress.

4

Verify the patient understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives by asking open-ended questions and using teach-back; notify the provider if the patient cannot summarize back.

5

Confirm the consent form is signed, dated, and witnessed; verify the procedure, site, and side documented match the surgical schedule.

## Explanation

The nurse's role in informed consent is to WITNESS the signature, verify understanding (teach-back), confirm capacity (alert, oriented, no new sedation, no duress), match the form to the schedule, and advocate when the patient has new questions or wishes to withdraw — even after signing. The PROVIDER (typically the surgeon) is responsible for actually OBTAINING consent — explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. Choice 2 is wrong — the nurse cannot obtain consent in place of the provider; doing so is outside scope and creates legal liability.

## In-depth explanation

The most common NCLEX informed-consent trap is "the patient says they don't fully understand after signing." The correct nursing action is always to STOP, notify the provider, and advocate for additional explanation — never to brush off the concern or proceed.

## Clinical scenario

Adult patient scheduled for elective **laparoscopic cholecystectomy**. The surgeon discussed risks, benefits, alternatives, and the patient signed the consent. The nurse is the witness on the form and now finalizes pre-op care.

## Key concepts

- **Informed consent** — Patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after disclosure of nature, risks, benefits, alternatives, and right to refuse.
- **Nurse witness role** — Witness verifies signature, capacity, and absence of duress; does not obtain consent for the procedure.
- **Withdrawal of consent** — A patient may withdraw consent at any time before the procedure starts, even after signing; nurse must advocate.

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