What is one consequence of not obtaining preoperative informed consent?

Not obtaining preoperative informed consent can lead to charges of assault and battery because the absence of consent implies that the patient did not agree to the procedure. Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement before any medical intervention, ensuring that patients are fully aware of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the procedure they are about to undergo. If a patient has not given consent and the procedure is performed, it may be viewed as a violation of the patient's bodily autonomy, which could be interpreted as unlawful touching or assault.

While other options may present potential complications related to medical procedures, they are not direct consequences of the lack of informed consent in the same manner. For instance, infections, recovery times, and the thoroughness of medical examinations are typically influenced by various medical factors and protocols rather than directly by the consent process itself. Therefore, the risk of legal actions arising from not obtaining informed consent stands out as a crucial consequence in the context of medical ethics and patient rights.