Which term describes a person's ability to provide valid consent?

• A. Competence
• B. Legal capacity
• C. Mental fitness
• D. Authorization

Answer: (B)

Consent is valid only when the person has legal capacity to understand the information, appreciate its consequences, and freely express a decision. Legal capacity refers to the recognized ability to make a legal decision, including understanding what is being decided, the potential risks and benefits, and the alternatives. If someone lacks this capacity, their consent can be invalid or may require a substitute decision-maker or guardianship under applicable laws. While competence is a broader everyday term, in legal and ethical contexts it is usually a formal determination and not the precise standard used for consent. Mental fitness is not the formal term used for this purpose, and authorization describes the act of granting permission rather than the person’s underlying ability to consent.