Authorized consent is described as which of the following for pediatric care?

• A. Authorized consent is identical to informed consent.
• B. Parents cannot give informed consent for medical care of a child but can give authorized consent instead.
• C. Authorized consent is only used in emergencies.
• D. Authorized consent is not legally recognized.

Answer: (B)

In pediatric care, the person who can authorize treatment for a child is the one who acts as the child’s legal decision-maker, usually a parent or guardian. Because a child typically cannot understand and consent to medical options, the parent’s or guardian’s permission is used instead. The idea of authorized consent describes this arrangement: the parent authorizes the specific medical care on behalf of the child after being informed about the plan, risks, benefits, and alternatives. This authorization is the legally recognized form of consent for the child’s treatment, not the child’s own informed consent.

This fits best because it emphasizes that the parent’s role is to authorize care as the child’s representative, rather than the child providing consent themselves. It also clarifies that this authorization is distinct from the patient’s own informed consent, and that it isn’t limited to emergencies—authorized consent can occur in routine care when a parent approves the proposed treatment. The other statements misstate the relationship between informed and authorized consent, or the scope and legality of authorized consent.