A 60-year-old man comes to the office for surgical consultation of multivessel coronary artery disease. After reviewing prior records and completing a thorough evaluation, the surgeon discusses the recommendation for a coronary artery bypass graft, describing the indications for the operation and providing an overview of the surgery, including risks and benefits. The surgeon then discusses what the patient can expect during the recovery period. Which of the following additional disclosures is a necessary component of an informed consent discussion by the surgeon?

Question

A 60-year-old man comes to the office for surgical consultation of multivessel coronary artery disease.  After reviewing prior records and completing a thorough evaluation, the surgeon discusses the recommendation for a coronary artery bypass graft, describing the indications for the operation and providing an overview of the surgery, including risks and benefits.  The surgeon then discusses what the patient can expect during the recovery period.  Which of the following additional disclosures is a necessary component of an informed consent discussion by the surgeon?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ec160b_3660_af65_9249_0b930d6337f0_MD0001_00 The process of informed consent requires disclosure of key information so that the patient can make an informed medical decision. The essential components of an informed consent discussion include explanation of the patient's diagnosis and proposed treatment, other treatment options, risks and benefits of the proposed treatment, and risks of refusing the proposed treatment. In this case, the surgeon has not yet addressed the risks to the patient if the surgery is not performed (eg, increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events). The informed consent discussion should be conducted by the surgeon who will perform the procedure and should use language that is easily comprehended. The patient must be given an opportunity to ask questions. The content of the informed consent discussion should be documented in the patient's medical record. (Choice A) Information regarding cost is not a required component of informed consent. This information likely depends on the patient's insurance plan and is not a question the physician can accurately answer. (Choice B) Disclosure of the mortality rate of a procedure performed by the surgeon is not a required element of informed consent. However, if asked, a physician must answer truthfully and disclose this information. (Choice C) Although all patients have the right to a second opinion, explicitly stating this option is not a requirement of the informed consent process. (Choice E) Discussing the risks of anesthetic agents is outside the surgeon's scope of practice. This should be discussed during the informed consent process with the anesthesiologist, which is typically conducted as part of the preanesthesia evaluation. Educational objective: The essential components of informed consent include explanation of the patient's diagnosis and proposed treatment, other treatment options, the risks and benefits of the proposed treatment, and the risks of refusing the proposed treatment. __________ References: Informed consent for surgery: risk discussion and documentation. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28234594)

A 60-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office for Surgical Consultation