An adolescent's mother calls the primary healthcare provider's office to Inquire about the results of her daughter's serum test results that were drawn last week. Since it is the teenager's 18th birthday, how should the nurse respond to this mother's inquiry?
Ask when the adolescent was last seen in the clinic.
Explain that the information cannot be released without the 18-year-old's permission.
Tell the mother to have the teenager call the clinic.
Since the serum samples were drawn last week provide the mother with the findings.
The Correct Answer is B
A: Ask when the adolescent was last seen in the clinic. This option might help confirm the identity and recent activity of the patient, but it does not address the primary issue of confidentiality and privacy regarding the adolescent's medical information. Simply asking when the adolescent was last seen does not change the legal requirement to obtain consent from the patient who is now an adult.
B: Explain that the information cannot be released without the 18-year-old's permission. This is the most appropriate response. Once an individual turn 18, they are legally an adult and their health information is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, or similar privacy laws in other countries. Without explicit permission from the 18-year-old patient, the nurse cannot legally release medical information to anyone else, including parents.
C: Tell the mother to have the teenager call the clinic. While this response encourages the teenager to take responsibility for their own healthcare, it does not address the immediate concern of the mother inquiring about the results. It shifts the responsibility to the adolescent but doesn't explain why the mother cannot be given the information. It's a partial solution but lacks clarity on the confidentiality issue.
D: Since the serum samples were drawn last week, provide the mother with the findings. This option is inappropriate and violates HIPAA regulations. Regardless of when the serum samples were drawn, the patient is now legally an adult and the information cannot be shared without their explicit consent. Providing the mother with the findings would be a breach of the adolescent's privacy and legal rights.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Request social services to make a home visit. This is important but not the immediate priority. It can be part of the long-term intervention plan once the immediate safety and health of the client are ensured.
B. Interview the client privately without the adult child present. This is the highest priority. It allows the nurse to assess for potential abuse or neglect without the influence or intimidation of the accompanying adult, ensuring the client can speak freely.
C. Complete a neurological and musculoskeletal assessment. This is important to assess the extent of the injuries and the client's overall physical health, but it follows the immediate need to ensure the client's safety and ability to speak freely about their situation.
D. Ask the client if an assisted living facility is an option for safety concerns. While exploring living arrangements is important for long-term safety, it is not the highest priority. Ensuring the client's immediate safety and obtaining accurate information about their situation takes precedence.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Question the client about the frequency of falls in recent months: Falls are a common concern in older adults. Assessing the frequency of falls helps identify potential safety risks and mobility issues. It provides valuable information about the client’s functional status and balance.
B. Request to have the client lie as still as possible for the assessment: While assessing functional status, it is essential to observe the client’s mobility and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Having the client lie still would not provide relevant information about their functional abilities.
C. Assist the client with clarifying values about end-of-life care options: While discussing end-of-life care is important, it is not directly related to assessing functional status. This action is beyond the scope of a functional assessment.
D. Ask the client how often episodes of sundowning are experienced: Sundowning refers to increased confusion, agitation, or behavioural changes in older adults during the late afternoon or evening. While relevant to overall well-being, it is not specifically related to functional assessment.
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