What is the potential risk of not obtaining informed consent from a patient before performing an additional surgical procedure?

• A. Legal repercussions and breach of trust
• B. Faster recovery
• C. No risk
• D. Improved trust

Answer: (A)

Respecting patient autonomy is central to medical ethics and to the consent process. Informed consent ensures a patient understands what will be done, the risks and potential benefits, alternatives, and has the opportunity to approve or decline the plan. Performing an additional surgical procedure without obtaining that consent intrudes on the patient’s bodily autonomy and can amount to a legal violation.

The primary consequence is legal repercussions and breach of trust. Legally, performing a procedure beyond what was consented to can be seen as battery or as medical malpractice, exposing the clinician to civil lawsuits, potential damages, and professional discipline. Ethically, it damages the trust at the heart of the patient–clinician relationship, which can have long-lasting effects on care, reputation, and future interactions with patients and the healthcare system.

This is not associated with faster recovery or with improved trust; in fact, it would more likely undermine trust and offer no valid legal protection. Emergency situations can involve implied consent if the patient cannot decide and delay would cause harm, but otherwise any additional procedure requires explicit, informed consent and proper documentation.