Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

Who is ultimately responsible for obtaining the surgical informed consent?

1. Patient

2. Guardian

3. Surgeon

4. Nurse

The correct answer is: Surgeon

The surgeon holds the primary responsibility for obtaining the surgical informed consent. This responsibility is rooted in the principle of informed consent, which requires that the patient is made fully aware of the nature of the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing to proceed. The surgeon is trained to provide the necessary details about the surgical process, ensuring that the patient understands what will occur, the potential risks involved, and the expected outcomes. It is crucial for ethical and legal reasons that the individual performing the procedure is the one to explain it clearly, as they are best equipped to address specific questions or concerns that the patient may have. While patients can certainly participate in the process by asking questions and ultimately consenting, and guardians may provide consent for minors or incapacitated individuals, the surgeon is the designated professional responsible for ensuring that the entire consent process is properly conducted and documented. Nurses play supportive roles in this process, such as confirming that consent has been obtained and documenting it, but they do not bear primary responsibility for securing it.