Which items must be disclosed to obtain valid informed consent?

• A. Diagnosis
• B. Prognosis
• C. Risks/benefits
• D. Diagnosis, prognosis, risks/benefits, and alternatives

Answer: (D)

Valid informed consent hinges on giving the patient information that lets them make an autonomous choice about their care. That means sharing what the illness is (diagnosis), what is likely to happen over time with or without treatment (prognosis), what the treatment could achieve and what it might cause (risks and benefits), and what other options exist (alternatives). When all four elements are disclosed, the patient can weigh benefits, harms, and alternatives in light of their values and goals, making the consent truly informed. If any of these pieces are left out, the patient may agree without understanding the full picture, which undermines autonomy and can lead to disputes. In emergencies or when a patient cannot participate in decision-making, consent may be implied or substituted according to appropriate protocols, but under typical circumstances all four elements should be disclosed.