Which of the following is NOT a requirement for informed consent?

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement in healthcare, ensuring that patients are fully aware and agree to the proposed medical treatments or procedures. One vital aspect of informed consent is that patients make decisions voluntarily, without any form of coercion.

The correct answer emphasizes that coercion undermines the very principle of informed consent, which relies on the autonomy of the patient to make decisions about their own healthcare. For consent to be informed, patients must feel secure in their ability to choose without pressure from healthcare providers or external factors.

In contrast, the other components of informed consent—understanding treatment options, being informed about potential risks, and possessing the capacity to make decisions—are all essential requirements. These ensure that patients can make well-informed choices regarding their health care based on a clear understanding of their situation. Thus, the absence of coercion is paramount, establishing the basis for a truly informed consent process.