Consent

Consent is both a verb and a noun. A person who consents to something is in effect acquiescing ar giving permission for that thing to happen. Consent (n) is the fact that such permission has been given.

More particularly, actual consent can be defined as the state of mind as agreeing to something happening. It may be expressed (verbally, or in writing), or unexpressed, when it may sometimes be inferred from the patient's actions (e.g. offering an arm for blood to be taken).

Actual consent may not necessarily be valid if it is based on a misunderstanding or misconception of the consequences of the consented action. This may arise simply from lack of information, or because of a mental inability (or incompetence) to understand the situation.