A 70-year-old patient requires an elective appendectomy. While he appears generally oriented, he has mild short-term memory impairment and difficulty retaining complex medical information, but can express his wishes. Who is primarily responsible for ensuring he understands and provides informed consent for the surgery?
✓ Correct Answer: Option C
The surgeon performing the procedure is ethically and legally responsible for obtaining informed consent from the patient. This involves explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives in a way the patient can understand, and assessing their capacity.