Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

When a patient makes an appointment and visits the physician for a routine examination, the type of consent involved in the patient-physician relationship is __________.

1. informed consent

2. consent for release of document

3. implied consent

4. implicit consent

The correct answer is: implied consent

The correct answer is that the type of consent involved in a routine examination is implied consent. In implied consent situations, the patient's agreement to proceed with the examination is inferred through their actions rather than explicitly stated. For instance, simply scheduling and attending the appointment suggests that the patient agrees to undergo the examination. When a patient presents themselves for a routine examination, it is assumed that they understand the nature of the examination and are willing to participate. The healthcare provider is expected to uphold their duty by informing the patient about the general process and possible risks involved, but the patient's consent is generally understood rather than formally articulated at the moment of care. Informed consent, on the other hand, is more detailed and requires that the patient be provided with specific information about the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives associated with a treatment or procedure before they agree to it. It typically applies to more invasive procedures or those that carry higher risks. Consent for the release of documents pertains to the authorization that allows healthcare providers to share a patient's medical information with third parties, which is important for maintaining confidentiality and ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA. Implicit consent is not a widely recognized term in medical practice; it may sometimes be used interchangeably with implied consent but is usually not the preferred