What type of consent must be obtained from a conscious adult before emergency treatment?

The correct answer is expressed consent. This type of consent must be obtained when the patient is conscious and capable of making informed decisions. Expressed consent means that the patient has explicitly communicated their agreement to the proposed treatment. This can occur verbally or through gestures, but it must be clear and unmistakable.

In emergency situations, obtaining expressed consent is crucial because it respects the patient's autonomy and legal rights. Medical providers must ensure that the patient is fully aware of what the treatment entails, including the risks involved, allowing the patient to make an informed choice based on this information.

Other forms of consent, such as implied consent, usually apply in situations involving unconscious patients or when immediate action is needed and the patient cannot provide consent. Informed consent goes deeper, requiring a detailed understanding of the treatment, risks, and alternatives, which is ideal in non-emergency situations. Assumed consent is not a formally recognized term in medical ethics and law. Thus, expressed consent stands out as the necessary type for conscious adults in emergency treatment scenarios.