Who has the legal right to sign an informed consent form?

The legal right to sign an informed consent form is typically granted to clients who are 18 years of age or older, as individuals of this age are generally considered adults and capable of making their own healthcare decisions. Additionally, in cases involving teen parents, the law allows these young individuals to provide informed consent for themselves and their child due to their parental status.

This legal framework is rooted in the principle of autonomy, which asserts that individuals should have the capacity to make informed decisions regarding their own medical treatment. The ability to sign an informed consent form is fundamentally linked to the maturity and understanding necessary to comprehend the implications and risks associated with medical procedures or treatments. Therefore, option C encompasses these principles accurately by stating that clients who are greater than 18 years of age, or a teen parent, possess the legal right to sign informed consent forms.