Which type of consent indicates that a patient has verbally agreed to treatment?

The correct answer reflects a scenario where a patient has explicitly indicated their agreement to treatment through verbal communication. Expressed consent is characterized by a clear and overt acknowledgment of this agreement, which can be either verbal or written. In a medical context, it's crucial to obtain expressed consent, as it demonstrates that the patient understands the proposed treatment and its potential risks and benefits, allowing for the opportunity to ask questions.

Implied consent, in contrast, applies when a patient's actions suggest that they agree to treatment, even if they have not verbally confirmed it. This is often assumed in emergency situations where the patient is unable to communicate, and immediate care is necessary.

Informed consent involves providing a patient with detailed information about their treatment options, risks, and benefits, leading to a more comprehensive understanding before they agree. While informed consent does encompass expressed consent, the focus here is on the fact that it requires more than mere communication; it involves a thorough explanation as well.

Assumed consent is a less common term and generally implies a situational agreement based on context, often without the need for verbal communication, such as in scenarios where treatment is urgently needed and consent cannot be readily obtained.

Therefore, the distinction of expressed consent is essential as it explicitly conveys that the patient has