Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardConfidentiality and Information Security

While providing care on a busy acute care unit, a practical nurse (PN) manages a semi-private room occupied by two clients. Client 1 is a recognizable public figure, and Client 2 is receiving end-of-life care. Both clients have multiple family members visiting. Which actions by the PN demonstrate appropriate adherence to information security and client confidentiality regulations? Select all that apply.

  1. Drawing the center privacy curtain and using a hushed tone when asking Client 1 about their current pain levelAnswer
  2. Asking Client 2's visitors to step out of the room before reviewing the newly prescribed comfort care medications with Client 2Answer
  3. C
    Placing a printed vital sign flow sheet face-down on a hallway computer workstation while briefly entering a supply closet
  4. D
    Acknowledging Client 1's presence on the unit to a media representative who provides the client's correct full name
  5. Locking the mobile electronic health record (EHR) screen immediately after documenting Client 2's urinary outputAnswer
  6. F
    Discussing Client 2's declining condition with an off-duty nurse who is a relative of Client 2, without prior client authorization

Answer

The correct actions include using a hushed tone behind a privacy curtain, asking visitors to leave before discussing medications, and locking the EHR screen after use.
Under HIPAA and standard confidentiality protocols, nurses must implement reasonable safeguards to protect health information. These include using lowered voices and physical barriers in semi-private rooms, asking unauthorized visitors to step out during clinical discussions, and securing electronic records whenever leaving a workstation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the physical environment interactions.
Using curtains and hushed voices is an acceptable safeguard in shared rooms, and asking visitors to leave during clinical updates proactively prevents unauthorized disclosure.
HIPAA requires reasonable safeguards to mitigate incidental disclosures in semi-private environments.
2
Evaluate the management of digital and physical records.
Locking the EHR prevents unauthorized digital access. However, leaving paper records unattended in a hallway is a breach, even if they are face-down.
PHI must be secured at all times, either physically carried, locked away, or shredded when no longer needed.
3
Assess external and internal communication requests.
Sharing information with the media or unauthorized off-duty personnel violates confidentiality.
Information can only be disclosed to the media or family members with the client's explicit authorization, and staff only access charts on a strict need-to-know basis.

Key Concept

Reasonable safeguards must be employed to prevent unauthorized access to physical, electronic, and verbal protected health information (PHI).
Rate this question

Topics

Confidentiality and Information Security

More questions from this topic