Assertion (A): A nurse obtains the patient's signature on the consent form.

Reason (R): A nurse is legally authorized to obtain informed consent from the patient.

Appeared in: NORCET 10 Prelims-2026

Explanation

Assertion (A) is considered true because a key nursing function is to witness the patient signing the consent form, which can be described as 'obtaining the signature' in a procedural sense.
Reason (R) is definitively false. The legal and ethical duty to obtain informed consent—which involves explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives—lies with the healthcare provider performing the procedure, not the nurse.
The nurse's signature on the form acts as a witness to the patient's voluntary signature and apparent competence, not as confirmation that the nurse provided the explanation.
If a nurse discovers that a patient is not fully informed, their duty is to notify the provider and advocate for the patient to receive the necessary information before signing.

Option A: This option is incorrect because Reason (R) is a false statement. A nurse is not legally authorized to obtain informed consent.
Option B: This option is incorrect because Reason (R) is a false statement. For this option to be considered, both A and R must be true.
Option D: This option is incorrect because Assertion (A) is true. Nurses are actively involved in the process of getting the consent form signed.

Visual 1: Flowchart: 'The Informed Consent Process'. This visual can map the sequence of events, showing the provider's role (explanation, discussion) leading to the nurse's role (witnessing, verifying understanding, documenting), clarifying the distinct responsibilities.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Legal and ethical responsibilities in the informed consent process helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
The nurse's role as a patient advocate is paramount in the consent process. It is a critical patient safety checkpoint to ensure the patient is truly informed and not just signing a form.
Improperly obtained consent can lead to legal charges of battery against the healthcare provider and negligence on the part of the nurse and facility.
What if? If a patient, after the provider has left, tells the nurse, 'I signed the form, but I'm still not sure what's going to happen,' the nurse's correct action is to pause the process and immediately notify the provider to return and clarify the information with the patient. The nurse must not attempt to explain the procedure themselves.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the Assertion (A) statement: 'A nurse obtains the patient's signature on the consent form.' Is this a part of a nurse's duties? Yes, witnessing and managing the form is common practice. So, A is likely true.
Next, analyze the Reason (R) statement: 'A nurse is legally authorized to obtain informed consent from the patient.' Focus on the legal definition of 'obtaining informed consent.' Does this mean just getting a signature, or does it involve the explanation of risks and benefits? The latter is the legal standard.
Determine the truth value of R. The legal responsibility for the explanation and ensuring understanding lies with the provider performing the procedure. Therefore, R is false.
Combine the findings: A is true, and R is false.
Select the option that matches this conclusion: 'A is true, but R is false.'

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Legal and ethical responsibilities in the informed consent process
Stem keywords: informed consent, nurse, patient signature, legally authorized
Lead-in keywords: Assertion, Reason

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