Which of the following is NOT one of the legal principles of informed consent?

The assertion that the patient must prefer alternative treatments is not a legal principle of informed consent. Informed consent is primarily focused on ensuring that a patient is fully aware of and understands the treatment being proposed, and that they are competent and willing to accept that treatment without coercion.

Key aspects of informed consent include the necessity for the patient to be competent to make decisions regarding their own healthcare, ensuring that consent is given freely without any manipulation or undue pressure, and requiring that the patient understands the nature of the treatment, including risks, benefits, and potential alternatives.

While discussing alternative treatments may be part of the comprehensive informed consent process—enabling the patient to make a well-informed decision—the actual legal principle does not mandate that the patient must express a preference for them. Rather, the emphasis is on informed decision-making about the treatment that is being proposed.