CPI CPI Informed Consent & Human Subjects Protection 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal regulation governs informed consent requirements for human subjects research in the United States?
- 45 CFR Part 46 (Correct answer)
- 21 CFR Part 11
- 45 CFR Part 164
- 21 CFR Part 50
Correct answer: 45 CFR Part 46
45 CFR Part 46, the Common Rule, establishes the federal standards for protecting human subjects including informed consent requirements.
Question 2: What is the minimum required element that must be included in every informed consent document?
- A description of the purposes, risks, and benefits of the research (Correct answer)
- The sponsor's contact information
- The PI's curriculum vitae
- The estimated duration of the entire study
Correct answer: A description of the purposes, risks, and benefits of the research
Every informed consent document must include a description of the research purpose, foreseeable risks and discomforts, and reasonably expected benefits.
Question 3: When must a principal investigator obtain informed consent from a research participant?
- Before any research procedures are performed (Correct answer)
- Within 24 hours of study enrollment
- At the first follow-up visit
- After baseline assessments are completed
Correct answer: Before any research procedures are performed
Informed consent must be obtained and documented before any research-related procedures are performed on a participant.
Question 4: Which of the following best defines 'voluntariness' in the context of informed consent?
- Participation is free from coercion or undue influence (Correct answer)
- The participant signs the consent form without assistance
- The participant attends all study visits willingly
- The consent form is written in plain language
Correct answer: Participation is free from coercion or undue influence
Voluntariness means the prospective subject's decision to participate must be free from coercion and undue influence.
Question 5: A research participant who has signed an informed consent form wants to withdraw from the study. What should the PI do?
- Honor the withdrawal immediately without penalty (Correct answer)
- Ask the participant to complete the current assessment period first
- Consult the sponsor before allowing withdrawal
- Require 30 days advance notice per protocol
Correct answer: Honor the withdrawal immediately without penalty
Participants have the right to withdraw at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which they are otherwise entitled.
Question 6: Which document must be filed with the IRB before a PI can begin recruiting research participants?
- IRB-approved protocol and consent form (Correct answer)
- Completed Case Report Forms (CRFs)
- Sponsor financial agreement
- Publication plan
Correct answer: IRB-approved protocol and consent form
The IRB must review and approve the protocol and informed consent form before any recruitment or enrollment activities begin.
Which federal regulation governs informed consent requirements for human subjects research in the United States?