A registered nurse is participating in the resuscitation of a client in cardiac arrest. During the emergency, the nurse realizes that another client requires a time-sensitive capillary blood glucose check. To ensure the task is completed and recorded promptly, the nurse verbally provides their electronic health record (EHR) password to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), instructing the UAP to obtain the glucose reading and document it using the nurse's login credentials. Which statement accurately describes the legal and ethical implications of the nurse's action?
- AThe action is legally acceptable under emergency exception rules, provided the nurse changes their system password immediately after the resuscitation concludes.
- The nurse violated information security protocols, as login credentials must never be shared under any clinical circumstances.Answer
- CThe action was an appropriate delegation because obtaining and recording routine blood glucose levels falls within the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel.
- DThe nurse correctly prioritized client care by ensuring both the resuscitation and the time-sensitive assessment were managed simultaneously.
Answer
The nurse violated information security protocols, as login credentials must never be shared under any clinical circumstances.
The correct answer identifies that sharing electronic health record (EHR) passwords is a strict violation of information security protocols. Passwords act as a legal digital signature. Sharing them compromises the integrity of the medical record and violates federal regulations (like HIPAA) as well as organizational policies, regardless of the clinical situation, staffing levels, or client acuity.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Electronic Health Record (EHR) Security and Password Protection