A nurse is providing care for a surgeon on a medical-surgical unit. A nurse from another unit asks the nurse about the surgeon's medical diagnosis. The nurse responds that he is unable to provide the information requested. The nurse is displaying which of the following ethical principles?

A. "HIPAA is a federal law, not a state law": This statement is correct. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal law enacted in 1996 to protect the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information. It applies nationwide and sets national standards for the protection of health information.
B. "HIPAA established regulations of individually identifiable health information in verbal, electronic, or written form": This statement is accurate. HIPAA regulations govern the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) in various forms, including verbal, electronic, and written formats. The regulations apply to covered entities such as healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses.
C. "Information about a client can be disclosed to family members at any time": This statement is incorrect. HIPAA regulations restrict the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) to third parties, including family members, without the patient's authorization, except in certain circumstances outlined in the law. While there are provisions for sharing PHI with family members involved in the patient's care, such disclosures typically require the patient's consent or may be permitted under specific exceptions, such as in emergency situations or when the patient is incapacitated.
D. "A client's address would be an example of personally identifiable information": This statement is accurate. Personally identifiable information (PII) under HIPAA includes any information that can be used to identify an individual, directly or indirectly, including names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, and other demographic data. Therefore, a client's address would indeed be considered personally identifiable information under HIPAA.

A. Secure the restraints to the lowest bar of the side rail:
This is incorrect. Restraints should not be secured to the side rails of the bed because the client may injure themselves by attempting to climb over the side rail or if the bed adjusts, it can cause excessive pressure on the restrained limb.
B. Ensure four fingers under the restraints to prevent constriction:
This is incorrect. The nurse should be able to slide two fingers under the restraint to ensure it is not too tight, rather than four fingers. Restraining too loosely may allow the client to slip out, while restraining too tightly can cause tissue damage or compromise circulation.
C. Secure the restraints using a quick-release tie:
This is the correct action. Restraints should always have quick-release ties to allow for quick removal in case of an emergency or if the client needs to be repositioned or assisted. Velcro or buckle restraints with quick-release mechanisms are commonly used to ensure easy removal.
D. Anticipate removing the restraints every 4 hr:
While it's essential to regularly assess the need for continued restraint use and ensure restraints are not overly restrictive, there's no set time interval for removing restraints. Restraints should be removed as soon as they are no longer necessary to ensure the client's safety and comfort.