Patients must be given enough information to feel they are able to reach a rational decision. The amount of information disclosed is generally based on the patient's informational needs. With this in mind, you should be cognizant of the patient's capacity and willingness to understand the consequences of a procedure. A patient should not be offered so much data that he or she becomes confused or distraught. Neither should the patient be presented with an extraordinary amount of information that may talk him/her out of undergoing your recommended treatment.