A nurse is reviewing new orders for an ambulate patient four times a day.

Choice A rationale

While the sibling may have paid for the diagnostic test, this does not grant the nurse the right to access and disclose the results. Patient privacy and confidentiality are paramount, and access to medical records is restricted to those directly involved in the patient's care. Payment for services does not override these privacy regulations.

Choice B rationale

The familial relationship between the nurse and the patient's sibling does not authorize the nurse to access the patient's medical information. Professional boundaries and ethical guidelines prevent healthcare providers from accessing records of family members unless they are directly involved in their care and have a legitimate need-to-know.

Choice C rationale

It is indeed the responsibility of the healthcare provider who ordered the tests or is managing the patient's care to disclose laboratory results and findings directly to the client. This ensures accurate interpretation and appropriate follow-up. Nurses should not bypass this process by independently accessing and sharing results with family members.

Choice D rationale

A nurse-client relationship did not exist between the nurse and the sibling in this scenario. Accessing a patient's medical record requires a legitimate professional need related to the provision of care to that specific patient. Without this established relationship, accessing the sibling's results would be a breach of confidentiality and professional ethics.

Choice A rationale

This is a closed-ended question that requires a yes or no answer. While it gathers specific information about breathing difficulty, it limits the patient's ability to describe their chest pain experience in their own words and provide richer details.

Choice B rationale

This question focuses on the duration of the chest pain. While this is important information for the nurse to know, it does not elicit a description of the pain itself, which is crucial for understanding the potential underlying cause and guiding further assessment.

Choice C rationale

This open-ended question encourages the patient to describe the characteristics of their chest pain, such as its quality (e.g., sharp, dull, crushing), location, radiation, and intensity. This detailed information is vital for differentiating between various causes of chest pain, including cardiac, musculoskeletal, or gastrointestinal issues.

Choice D rationale

While family history is relevant to the patient's overall health status and potential risk factors for certain conditions like heart disease, it does not directly address the patient's immediate experience of chest pain or provide details about the current symptom.