What is the nurse's role in informed consent?

The nurse's role in informed consent primarily involves ensuring that the informed consent process is appropriately followed and documented. One key aspect of this role is witnessing the client's signature on the consent form. This means that the nurse confirms that the patient has signed the document voluntarily and understands what they are consenting to.

While it is also important for nurses to confirm that clients have received enough information from the healthcare provider, the responsibility for providing a detailed explanation of the procedure lies with the provider. The nurse is not involved in explaining the medical procedure or offering additional medical advice; rather, their role is to support the patient by ensuring that they have indeed given informed consent based on adequate understanding.

In this context, witnessing the signature serves a legal function and signifies that the nurse has observed the procedure being conducted properly, reinforcing the integrity of the informed consent process.