College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Practice Test

The relationship between 'informed consent' and 'capacity' in nursing practice is fundamentally grounded in the necessity for nurses to assess a patient's understanding of the information provided about their treatment. Informed consent is a process that ensures patients are fully aware of the implications, risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed treatment or procedure, and that they voluntarily agree to it.

Capacity refers to the patient's ability to understand the information presented, appreciate the consequences of their decision, and communicate their choice. Therefore, it is essential for nurses to evaluate whether a patient has the capacity to comprehend and make decisions about their care. Only when a patient is deemed to have the necessary capacity can informed consent be effectively obtained. This underscores the importance of the nurse's role in facilitating meaningful communication and ensuring that patients are adequately informed.

The other options involve important aspects of nursing practice but do not directly highlight the critical link between informed consent and a patient's understanding, which is central to assessing capacity. For instance, diagnosing a patient's condition is typically within the purview of a physician rather than a nurse. Documenting the consent process is crucial for legal and ethical reasons, but it comes after the assessment of understanding. Informing family members may be appropriate in certain circumstances, but it does not