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Difficulty: MediumConfidentiality and Information Security

A practical nurse is documenting assessment findings on a wall-mounted hallway computer. A rapid response is called for a client in a nearby room, and the nurse is needed immediately. Which of the following is the priority action the nurse must take regarding the electronic health record (EHR)?

  1. Secure the session by logging out or locking the computer screen.Answer
  2. B
    Turn off the computer monitor to conceal the client data.
  3. C
    Minimize the charting window to the taskbar before leaving.
  4. D
    Ask the unit secretary sitting nearby to watch the workstation.

Answer

Secure the session by logging out or locking the computer screen.
Securing the session by logging out or locking the computer is the only acceptable action. Nurses are legally and ethically mandated by HIPAA to protect client health information. Even in an emergency, it takes only seconds to lock a screen or log out, ensuring that no unauthorized individual can view, alter, or access the active medical record left in a public hallway.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the clinical scenario
The nurse is facing a sudden emergency requiring immediate departure from an active electronic health record session located in a public space (hallway).
Understanding the conflict between emergency response and data security dictates the prioritization of actions.
2
Evaluate the options against HIPAA and facility security standards
Minimizing, turning off the monitor, or asking someone else to watch the screen do not terminate the active login token, leaving data vulnerable.
Any action that leaves the session active under the nurse's credentials poses a direct risk of a confidentiality breach.
3
Determine the priority nursing action
Logging out or using a quick-lock function immediately secures the terminal before the nurse leaves to assist with the emergency.
This is the only method that fully complies with information security regulations without significantly delaying the emergency response.

Key Concept

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Security and HIPAA Compliance
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Topics

Confidentiality and Information Security

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