SkillsUSA Nursing Assistant Competition Practice Test

Consent before care must be informed and voluntary, provided by the person who has the authority to decide about the resident’s care. The correct approach is informed consent from the resident or their authorized representative, and if the resident cannot participate due to incapacity, follow the facility’s policy for surrogate decision-making. This means the person is given information about what will be done, the risks and benefits, and any alternatives, and then makes the decision willingly. Implied consent by the caregiver’s assumption isn’t appropriate for routine care; it’s a narrow emergency exception when the patient cannot respond and no surrogate is available, not a general rule. Verbal consent from a staff member doesn’t establish consent either—the consent must come from the resident or their authorized representative after they are informed. Written consent may be required for certain procedures, but the essential requirement is that informed consent comes from the right person.