Final answer:
In emergency situations where immediate intervention is required to save a patient's life, the physician can perform necessary procedures without obtaining informed consent.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the principle of autonomy, patients have the right to exercise self-determination in making decisions about their healthcare. In most cases, obtaining informed consent is necessary before performing any procedures on a patient. However, there are certain situations where procedures can be performed without obtaining informed consent. One such scenario is when the patient is unable to give consent due to an emergency situation that requires immediate intervention to save their life. In these cases, the physician can perform the necessary procedures without informed consent to ensure the patient's well-being.