How should a PA document informed consent in a delegated care plan?

• A. Record only that consent was obtained with no details.
• B. Record that the patient received information on risks, benefits, alternatives, and that consent was obtained; note who obtained it and that it was understood.
• C. Informed consent is not required for delegated plans.
• D. Document only the physician who provided consent.

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is how to properly document informed consent in a delegated care plan. Informed consent isn’t just about saying consent was given; it requires recording that the patient was informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives, that consent was obtained, and who obtained it, plus confirmation that the patient understood. In a delegated plan, the supervising physician may delegate care, but the PA must still ensure that the patient has received the necessary information and has understood it before proceeding. The record should explicitly show that information was provided, what was discussed (risks, benefits, alternatives), that consent was obtained, who obtained it, and that it was understood by the patient. This thorough documentation protects patient autonomy, supports ethical practice, and provides legal clarity for the care team.

Other options fall short because they omit essential elements: simply noting that consent was obtained misses whether the patient was informed and understood; stating that informed consent isn’t required in delegated plans is incorrect; and recording only the physician who provided consent fails to show who communicated the information and that the patient understood it.