What type of consent is involved when a patient verbally agrees to transport to the hospital?

• A. Implied
• B. Expressed
• C. Informed
• D. Formal

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is understanding how consent is expressed in EMS. When a patient clearly says they agree to be transported to the hospital, that is expressed consent—explicit and voluntary agreement to a specific treatment or action, in this case transport, whether spoken or written. The key is that there is a direct, conscious decision by the patient.

Implied consent isn’t the right fit because it applies when the patient cannot communicate or make a decision (for example, when they’re unconscious) and there’s an emergency need. Informed consent would require the patient to understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives before agreeing, which is more than just agreeing to transport. Formal isn’t a standard category used for patient consent in EMS.