Final answer:
A surgical procedure not addressing a current medical problem is considered elective. These are scheduled in advance, not urgent, and can include cosmetic surgeries to enhance appearance.
Step-by-step explanation:
A surgical procedure that does not address a current medical problem is considered elective. Elective surgeries are typically procedures that are scheduled in advance and are not related to a medical emergency. Examples of elective surgery might include cosmetic surgeries like rhinoplasty or breast augmentation, which are performed to enhance appearance rather than to treat a health condition.
While elective surgeries are not considered medically necessary to address an urgent health issue, they can have significant impacts on a person's quality of life and mental well-being. It's important to note that the term elective does not necessarily mean that a procedure is optional in the sense that it is trivial; rather, it simply refers to the timing and necessity of the surgery in relation to the patient's health.