Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Practice Exam

The concept of consent in healthcare is crucial for ensuring that patients are an active part of their treatment decisions. Expressed consent refers specifically to consent that is clearly communicated, whether verbally or in writing. This type of consent is obtained when a patient acknowledges that they understand the proposed treatment or procedure and agrees to proceed, making their permission unequivocal and documented.

In clinical practice, expressed consent is often required for more invasive procedures where the risks and benefits need to be thoroughly explained, ensuring that the patient is fully informed and agrees to the care they are about to receive. This is a fundamental principle of patient autonomy in healthcare, as it allows the patient to understand their choices and make informed decisions regarding their treatment.

Implied consent, on the other hand, is often understood through the patient's actions or the context of the situation, like a patient rolling up their sleeve for a vaccination. Informed consent builds on expressed consent by emphasizing the understanding of the information provided concerning the risks and benefits of treatment. Written consent is a form of expressed consent but does not necessarily capture consent given verbally. Each term has its specific context, but expressed consent distinctly highlights the patient's affirmative agreement to receive care.