Which of the following must be included in informed consent?

Informed consent is a fundamental concept in healthcare that ensures patients are fully aware of the potential risks and benefits associated with a treatment or procedure before agreeing to it. The requirement to include material risk in informed consent is essential because patients have the right to understand what they might be exposed to as a result of their treatment. Material risks refer to significant and relevant risks that a reasonable patient would consider when deciding whether to proceed with a treatment. By providing information about these risks, practitioners respect patient autonomy, allowing individuals to make informed decisions regarding their care.

The other options do not encompass the core needs of informed consent. Verbal consent alone may not be sufficient as it lacks the documentation aspect that helps establish that the patient was adequately informed about their treatment. General agreement from peers does not fulfill the legal and ethical obligations of informing the patient directly, as consent must be patient-centered and informed. Additionally, insurance approval is unrelated to the concept of informed consent; it focuses more on coverage and reimbursement rather than the patient's understanding of treatment risks and benefits. Thus, including material risk in informed consent aligns with legal requirements and promotes patient safety and autonomy.