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Difficulty: MediumConfidentiality and Information Security

A practical nurse (PN) is assigned to a busy urgent care clinic and is reviewing the facility's policies regarding the protection of protected health information (PHI). Which of the following actions by the PN demonstrate compliance with confidentiality and information security guidelines? Select all that apply.

  1. Logging off the electronic health record system immediately before stepping away to assist a client.Answer
  2. B
    Placing printed client handoff reports in the general recycling bin at the conclusion of the shift.
  3. Positioning the computer monitor in the triage area to prevent individuals in the waiting room from viewing the screen.Answer
  4. D
    Reviewing the diagnostic test results of a neighbor who is currently being treated in another area of the clinic.
  5. Providing a client's medical update to a telephone caller who successfully provides the client's designated privacy passcode.Answer
  6. F
    Confirming a client's presence in the facility to a caller who identifies themselves as the client's spiritual advisor but lacks the privacy code.

Answer

The correct actions include logging off the electronic health record system before leaving a workstation, positioning computer monitors away from public view, and verifying a designated privacy passcode before providing telephone updates.
The correct actions actively prevent unauthorized individuals from viewing or hearing protected health information. Logging off systems immediately, angling screens away from the public, and strictly enforcing the use of privacy passcodes for telephone inquiries are essential, standard safeguards required by healthcare privacy regulations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the principle of the 'need-to-know' basis.
A nurse should only access electronic or paper records for clients they are actively assigned to care for.
Accessing records for individuals (such as neighbors or family members) without a direct care relationship violates healthcare privacy laws.
2
Evaluate physical and electronic data security requirements.
Printed reports must be shredded, and computer screens must be shielded from public view or locked when unattended.
These physical safeguards prevent unauthorized visual access and incidental disclosure of protected health information.
3
Assess verbal and telephone disclosure rules.
Information cannot be given to outside callers unless they provide the predetermined privacy passcode or have documented authorization.
This strict verification process ensures that only individuals expressly approved by the client receive medical updates.

Key Concept

Practical nurses must implement physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect client health information from unauthorized access, viewing, or disclosure at all times.
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Topics

Confidentiality and Information Security

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