A nurse is due to renew their nursing license. Which of the following information should the nurse identify as the purpose of renewal?

Choice A reason: Telephone number is an acceptable identifier to use to identify the client. According to the Safety and Quality Improvement Guide Standard 5: Patient Identification and Procedure Matching, telephone number is one of the approved patient identifiers that can be used to reliably identify the individual as the person for whom the service or treatment is intended. Telephone number is a person specific identifier that is unlikely to be shared by another client.
Choice B reason: Room number is not an acceptable identifier to use to identify the client. According to the Safety and Quality Improvement Guide Standard 5: Patient Identification and Procedure Matching, room number is not an example of a unique patient identifier. Room number is not a person specific identifier, but a location specific identifier that can change or be assigned to another client.
Choice C reason: Medical condition is not an acceptable identifier to use to identify the client. According to the Safety and Quality Improvement Guide Standard 5: Patient Identification and Procedure Matching, medical condition is not an example of a unique patient identifier. Medical condition is not a person specific identifier, but a health specific identifier that can be common or vague among different clients.
Choice D reason: Home address is not an acceptable identifier to use to identify the client. According to the Safety and Quality Improvement Guide Standard 5: Patient Identification and Procedure Matching, home address is not an example of a unique patient identifier. Home address is not a person specific identifier, but a place specific identifier that can be shared or changed by the client.

Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect because a nurse cannot access the records of any client in the healthcare facility, unless they have a legitimate need to do so. Accessing the records of clients who are not under their care is a violation of the client's privacy and confidentiality, and may result in legal or disciplinary actions.
Choice B reason: This statement is correct because a nurse can only access the records of clients they are actively caring for, as part of their professional duty and responsibility. Accessing the records of clients they are caring for is necessary to provide safe and effective care, and to communicate with other members of the healthcare team.
Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect because a nurse cannot share information from the client’s medical record with immediate family members, unless the client has given consent, or the disclosure is authorized by law. Sharing information from the client's medical record with family members without the client's permission is a breach of the client's privacy and confidentiality, and may cause harm or distress to the client or the family.
Choice D reason: This statement is incorrect because a nurse cannot share information about a client with clients who have a similar diagnosis, unless the client has given consent or the disclosure is authorized by law. Sharing information about a client with other clients without the client's permission is a breach of the client's privacy and confidentiality, and may compromise the client's dignity or safety.