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Difficulty: EasyConfidentiality and Information Security

A practical nurse (PN) and an assistive personnel (AP) step onto an elevator with several hospital visitors. The AP begins to discuss the surgical complications of a client they are assigned to care for. Which of the following is the most appropriate action for the PN to take?

  1. Quietly remind the AP that client information should not be discussed in public areas.Answer
  2. B
    Ask the AP to speak softly so the visitors cannot hear the conversation.
  3. C
    Suggest that they wait until they are seated in the cafeteria to finish the conversation.
  4. D
    Continue the conversation but avoid using the client's name to protect their identity.

Answer

Quietly remind the AP that client information should not be discussed in public areas.
Nurses must maintain client confidentiality at all times. The elevator is a public area, and discussing client information where visitors can overhear is a direct violation of privacy regulations. The PN must intervene immediately to stop the breach in a professional manner.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the setting and the potential risk.
The elevator is a public space with visitors present, creating an immediate risk for a confidentiality breach.
HIPAA regulations strictly prohibit discussing personal health information (PHI) in areas where unauthorized individuals might overhear.
2
Determine the immediate priority.
The immediate priority is to stop the AP from continuing the conversation.
Nurses have a professional, ethical, and legal duty to safeguard client information at all times.
3
Select the best nursing action.
Reminding the AP to stop discussing the client in public addresses the immediate breach.
It directly stops the violation without escalating the situation unnecessarily in front of visitors.

Key Concept

Client Confidentiality in Public Areas
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Topics

Confidentiality and Information Security

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