A nurse is delivering a presentation on client confidentiality to a group of newly licensed nurses. Which of the following actions demonstrates a breach in patient confidentiality?
Discussing a client’s surgical procedure with the case manager.
Reporting laboratory findings to a member of the client’s family.
Identifying the client by name when making a referral for home health services.
Notifying the provider of physical examination findings.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason:
Discussing a client’s surgical procedure with the case manager. This action does not constitute a breach of patient confidentiality as long as the case manager is part of the healthcare team involved in the patient’s care. Sharing relevant information with team members is essential for coordinated and effective patient care.
Choice B Reason:
Reporting laboratory findings to a member of the client’s family. This action is a breach of patient confidentiality unless the patient has given explicit consent for their health information to be shared with that family member. Confidentiality laws, such as HIPAA in the United States, protect patient information and restrict its disclosure without proper authorization. Sharing sensitive health information without consent violates these laws and the patient’s right to privacy.
Choice C Reason:
Identifying the client by name when making a referral for home health services. This action is generally acceptable as long as the referral is made to a healthcare provider or service that will be involved in the patient’s care. Proper identification is necessary to ensure that the patient receives the appropriate services and care.
Choice D Reason:
Notifying the provider of physical examination findings. This action is part of standard medical practice and does not breach patient confidentiality. Communicating examination findings to the provider is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Displaying the client’s medical diagnosis on a message board within the client’s room is a violation of patient privacy and confidentiality. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patient information must be kept confidential and only shared with individuals directly involved in the patient’s care. Displaying such information publicly could lead to unauthorized access and breaches of confidentiality.
Choice B Reason:
Sharing her password with a new nurse during orientation to enable the new nurse to input her client’s vital signs is inappropriate. Password sharing is a significant security risk and violates hospital policies designed to protect patient information. Each healthcare worker should have their own login credentials to ensure accountability and maintain the integrity of the electronic health record system.
Choice C Reason:
Signing out of the computer system after recording a client’s intake and output measurements is an appropriate action. This practice ensures that patient information is secure and that the system is not left open for unauthorized access. It also helps maintain the accuracy and integrity of patient records by ensuring that only authorized personnel can make entries.
Choice D Reason:
Disposing of her nursing activity worksheet in a trash bin near the elevator at the conclusion of the shift is inappropriate. Nursing activity worksheets often contain sensitive patient information, and disposing of them in a public trash bin can lead to breaches of confidentiality. Proper disposal methods, such as shredding, should be used to ensure that patient information is securely destroyed.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Sending an email expressing gratitude to the nurse for their outstanding performance is a good way to recognize their efforts. However, it lacks the personal touch and immediacy that can make recognition more impactful. While written appreciation is valuable, face-to-face recognition can be more meaningful and memorable for the recipient.
Choice B Reason:
Commending the nurse’s conduct during their upcoming performance evaluation is also a positive approach. However, waiting until the performance evaluation may delay the recognition, reducing its immediate impact. Timely recognition is important to reinforce positive behavior and show appreciation when it is most relevant.
Choice C Reason:
Shielding the nurse from potential embarrassment by expressing appreciation privately is considerate, but it may not be the most effective method. While some individuals may prefer private recognition, public acknowledgment can boost morale and encourage others to strive for similar excellence. It is important to know the preferences of the individual being recognized, but generally, public recognition can have a broader positive impact.
Choice D Reason:
Approaching the nurse after they leave the patient’s room and conveying specific aspects of their care that were valued is the most effective method. This approach provides immediate, personal, and specific feedback, which can be highly motivating. It shows that the manager is attentive and appreciative of the nurse’s efforts, reinforcing the positive behavior in a timely manner. Specific feedback helps the nurse understand exactly what actions were appreciated, making it more likely they will continue to perform at a high level.
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