A nurse is caring for a client.

Exhibits

A nurse is providing discharge teaching. Which of the following dient statements indicate an understanding of the teaching?

A. Information about a client can be disclosed to family members at any time: HIPAA restricts disclosure of health information without the client’s consent or unless the disclosure meets specific legal criteria. Information can only be shared with family members if the client provides authorization or if it is deemed necessary for care and the client does not object.

B. HIPAA established regulations of individually identifiable health information in verbal, electronic or written form: HIPAA’s purpose includes protecting all forms of individually identifiable health information—spoken, written, or electronic. HIPAA ensures confidentiality and sets national standards for data security and patient privacy.

C. A client's address would be an example of personally identifiable information: Under HIPAA, a client’s address is considered part of their protected health information (PHI) because it can be used to identify the individual. Such data must be safeguarded to prevent unauthorized disclosure or access.

D. HIPAA is a federal law, not a state law: HIPAA is a federal law passed in 1996, and it sets nationwide standards for protecting health information. While states may enact stricter privacy laws, HIPAA forms the foundational legal framework for patient confidentiality across the U.S.

A. Increased heart rate: Tachycardia occurs as a compensatory mechanism in fluid overload due to the heart working harder to circulate the excess volume. The increased preload stretches the myocardial fibers, triggering a higher heart rate to maintain effective perfusion.

B. Increased blood pressure: Excess fluid volume raises intravascular pressure, leading to hypertension. The increased circulating volume causes elevated preload and afterload, resulting in increased cardiac output and higher blood pressure readings.

C. Increased respiratory rate: Fluid overload can lead to pulmonary congestion or edema, impairing gas exchange. The body compensates by increasing the respiratory rate to improve oxygenation and reduce carbon dioxide levels, especially if dyspnea is present.

D. Increased hematocrit: Hematocrit levels typically decrease in fluid overload due to hemodilution. The plasma volume expands relative to red blood cell concentration, leading to a dilutional effect that lowers hematocrit levels.

E. Increased temperature: Fever is not a typical finding in fluid overload and is more indicative of infection or inflammation. In fluid overload, temperature generally remains within normal limits unless an underlying infectious process is also present.