Final answer:
The term "implied consent" refers to situations where consent is assumed based on the circumstances, such as when a patient is unconscious and cannot give explicit consent. This is different from informed consent, which requires a patient's knowledgeable agreement to receive treatment or participate in a study.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expression "implied consent" is most applicable in the situation when a patient is unconscious and unable to give explicit consent (option b). This concept applies in emergency situations where healthcare professionals must assume that the patient would consent to treatment if they were able to do so, and there is no time to obtain express consent due to the urgency of the medical need.
Implied consent is a form of consent which is not expressly granted by a person, but rather inferred from a person's actions and the facts and circumstances of a particular situation. For example, in medical emergencies when a patient cannot communicate their wishes, it is presumed that they would want to receive necessary medical treatment. This contrasts with informed consent, where an individual is provided all relevant information about their medical care or participation in a research trial in order to make an informed decision.
In cases such as when a patient is competent and able to express their decision, informed consent is required before treatment or participation in research. The principle of autonomy underlines that patients have the right to make decisions about their own healthcare based on full disclosure of information.