Which situation is an exception to the rule of maintaining patient confidentiality?
Sharing patient information with a family member without consent.
Talking about patient care in a public setting where others might overhear.
Releasing information to authorities if the patient poses a threat to themselves or others.
Discussing patient details with another healthcare provider who is not involved in the patient's care.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Sharing patient information with a family member without consent. This violates patient confidentiality unless the patient has given explicit consent or the family member is a legal guardian in the case of minors or incapacitated patients.
B. Talking about patient care in a public setting where others might overhear. This breaches confidentiality and violates HIPAA regulations. Discussions about patient care should occur in private settings.
C. Releasing information to authorities if the patient poses a threat to themselves or others. Healthcare professionals are legally and ethically obligated to breach confidentiality if a patient poses a risk of harm to themselves or others. This falls under the duty to warn and protect principle.
D. Discussing patient details with another healthcare provider who is not involved in the patient's care. Only healthcare providers directly involved in the patient’s care should have access to their medical information. Sharing details with unauthorized providers is a confidentiality breach.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Allow the client's family to attend all group therapies with the client." While family involvement can be beneficial, a client’s autonomy and confidentiality must be respected. Some clients may not feel comfortable sharing in the presence of family members.
B. "Listen attentively to a client and summarize their comments." Active listening and summarization demonstrate empathy and understanding, reinforcing the therapeutic relationship. This technique also helps ensure that the nurse accurately understands the client's concerns.
C. "Asking questions easily answered with one-word responses is important with mental health clients." Closed-ended questions limit the client’s ability to express emotions and thoughts, which can hinder the therapeutic process. Open-ended questions encourage meaningful discussion.
D. "Avoid asking clients direct questions regarding suicidal behaviors or thoughts." It is essential to directly ask about suicidal thoughts in a nonjudgmental manner. Avoiding these questions can lead to missed warning signs and inadequate intervention.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. "Competency and capacity are often discussed as being the same thing, but they are different." Competency is a legal determination made by a court, while capacity is a clinical assessment made by healthcare providers. Although they are related, they are distinct concepts.
B. "Capacity and competency are the same thing and can be used interchangeably." This is incorrect because capacity refers to a person's ability to make a decision at a specific moment, while competency is a broader legal determination regarding decision-making ability.
C. "A client who has been deemed legally incompetent can provide informed consent for treatment." A legally incompetent client cannot provide informed consent. Instead, a legally designated surrogate (guardian or power of attorney) makes medical decisions on their behalf.
D. "Competency and capacity are rarely a concern when caring for clients who have a mental illness." Mental illness can impact decision-making capacity, making assessments crucial. Competency and capacity evaluations are common in mental health settings, especially for clients with cognitive impairment or psychosis.
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