Which item is included among the five requirements of informed consent?

• A. The goals, risks, and potential benefits of the proposed treatment
• B. The cost of treatment
• C. The medication brand
• D. The patient's age

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that informed consent rests on the patient understanding what the treatment aims to do and what could happen as a result. Explaining the goals of the proposed treatment along with its risks and potential benefits gives the patient the essential information to judge whether the expected outcome justifies the risks and to decide whether to proceed.

Costs, medication brand, and the patient’s age aren’t core elements needed to obtain informed consent. Costs may be discussed for planning, but they don’t determine whether consent is informed. The brand of a medication isn’t part of the decision about whether to undergo the procedure. Age doesn’t by itself define what must be disclosed, though capacity to consent is considered separately. Informed consent should also cover alternatives and what happens if the patient declines, but the crucial piece that directly supports informed decision-making is clear information about goals, risks, and benefits.