Which component of informed consent refers to the patient’s ability to understand the information provided?

• A. Capacity
• B. Comprehension
• C. Documentation
• D. Disclosure

Answer: (B)

Comprehension is the key idea here. Informed consent isn’t just about giving information; it requires that the patient actually understands what has been explained—the risks, benefits, and alternatives—so they can make a meaningful decision. This understanding is what comprehension measures. Capacity, on the other hand, refers to the patient’s overall ability to make a decision (their mental ability to understand, appreciate consequences, and communicate a choice). Disclosure is about providing the information, and documentation is simply recording that consent occurred. So, the best answer is comprehension because it directly addresses the patient’s grasp of the information presented.