Board of Legal SpecializationPractice Exam

What is the first step in obtaining consent from an awake and alert adult patient?

1. Explain your actions

2. Identify yourself to the patient

3. Provide care immediately

4. Request assistance from a colleague

The correct answer is: Identify yourself to the patient

Obtaining consent from an awake and alert adult patient begins with identifying yourself to the patient. This crucial first step establishes trust and ensures clear communication. By identifying yourself, you provide the patient with the necessary context of who is about to engage with them regarding their healthcare. This identification process allows the patient to feel assured that they are speaking with a qualified medical professional and is vital for facilitating an informed consent process. Once you’ve established your identity, you can then proceed to explain your actions, which builds on that initial trust and sets the stage for informed consent. This step is foundational because a patient’s willingness to give consent is often contingent upon their comfort and understanding of who you are and what your role entails in their care. Providing care immediately or requesting assistance may come after establishing this rapport and obtaining consent, making the identification step pivotal in the sequence of obtaining patient consent.