Who is generally responsible for obtaining informed consent for a medical procedure?

• A. Physician
• B. Nurse
• C. Patient
• D. Family

Answer: (A)

Informed consent is a process that ensures the patient understands what will be done, the risks, benefits, and alternatives, and freely agrees. The physician who will perform or request the procedure has the primary responsibility for obtaining this consent because they are best positioned to disclose essential information, answer questions, and assess the patient’s capacity to decide. The nurse plays a vital supportive role—clarifying information, checking understanding, and ensuring the patient’s questions are addressed, and may witness the consent when required—but the legal duty to obtain consent rests with the physician or the clinician performing the procedure within their scope. The patient is the one who provides consent, while family members may participate as surrogates or offer support if the patient cannot decide, depending on local laws and directives.