Which type of consent is assumed based on the patient's actions?

Implied consent is deemed correct because it refers to situations where an individual's actions suggest they agree to a particular procedure or treatment, even if they have not explicitly stated their consent. This type of consent is often recognized in emergency scenarios where a person's life or health is at risk, and they are unable to communicate their wishes. For instance, if a patient presents themselves for treatment, their arrival and willingness to undergo care can be interpreted as an agreement to receive that care, without needing a verbal or written confirmation.

In contrast, informed consent requires a patient to be fully informed about the treatment they will undergo, including potential risks and benefits, and to agree to it based on that information. Expressed consent involves a clear and direct statement of agreement for a particular medical action, typically verbal but can also be written, and is not dependent on the interpretation of actions. Written consent is a formalized version of expressed consent, requiring a signature to document the agreement. These distinctions highlight why implied consent is specifically characterized by the assumption made from the patient's actions rather than a verbal or documented agreement.