Terms

Question 1

Consent

Answer 1

Voluntary
Capacity
Properly Informed

Question 2

Capacity to consent

Answer 2

Must understand the anticipated effect of the proposed medical treatments and alternatives
Must appreciate the consequences of refusing treatment
Patient must be “mature”

Question 3

Maturity to consent

Answer 3

Patient must have reached a level physical, psychological, and emotional development sufficient to allow for a full appreciation of the nature and consequences of the proposed treatment, including the refusal of such treatments

Question 4

Advanced directive

Answer 4

“Living wills”
How to proceed in the event that the patient is incapacitated
May detail consent or refusal of treatment in event of specific circumstances

Question 5

Child consent

Answer 5

Consider:
What is at stake
How mature the child is
How much the efficacy of the treatment depends on the child’s cooperation