Ethical issues surrounding informed consent. Part II. Components of a morally valid consent and conditions that impair its validity.

To be valid, a consent must be given by a person who has received all relevant information, is competent, has not been coerced into agreement or refusal, and is not emotionally overwhelmed. Persons who have received incomplete information, are incompetent, have been coerced, or are psychodynamically overcome cannot give valid consent or refusal. HCPs who accept consents or refusals from such patients do not act in accordance with the ethical foundations and goals the practice was designed to promote. Nursing plays a crucial role in assuring the validity of informed consent/refusal. This role will be examined in Part III of this series.