A nurse is reviewing information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates a need for further teaching?

Choice A: Trichomoniasis is not the correct answer because it does not match the findings of the client. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. It can cause symptoms such as yellow-green or gray frothy vaginal discharge, foul odor, itching, burning, or redness of the vulva or vagina.

Choice B: Genital herpes simplex is not the correct answer because it does not match the findings of the client. Genital herpes simplex is an STI caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can cause symptoms such as painful blisters or ulcers on or around the genitals, fever, headache, or swollen lymph nodes.

Choice C: Candidiasis is the correct answer because it matches the findings of the client. Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by a yeast called Candida albicans. It can cause symptoms such as thick, white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, intense itching, burning, or soreness of the vulva or vagina, or dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse).

Choice D: Bacterial vaginosis is not the correct answer because it does not match the findings of the client. Bacterial vaginosis is a condition caused by an imbalance of the normal vaginal flora (the bacteria that live in the vagina). It can cause symptoms such as thin, gray-white or yellow vaginal discharge, fishy odor, itching, or burning of the vulva or vagina.

Choice A: "Information about a client can be disclosed to family members at any time." This statement indicates a need for further teaching because it is false and violates HIPAA. HIPAA protects the privacy and security of clients' health information and limits who can access or share it without their consent. Information about a client can only be disclosed to family members if they are involved in the client's care or payment, or if the client gives permission.

Choice B: "HIPAA established regulations of individually identifiable health information in verbal, electronic, or written form." This statement does not indicate a need for further teaching because it is true and reflects HIPAA. HIPAA defines individually identifiable health information as any information that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; the provision of health care to an individual; or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to an individual; and that identifies the individual or for which there is a reasonable basis to believe it can be used to identify the individual.

Choice C: "HIPAA is a federal law, not a state law." This statement does not indicate a need for further teaching because it is true and reflects HIPAA. HIPAA is a federal law that was enacted in 1996 by Congress and signed by President Clinton. It applies to all states and territories of the United States. However, some states may have additional or stricter laws that protect clients' health information.

Choice D: "A client's address would be an example of personally identifiable information." This statement does not indicate a need for further teaching because it is true and reflects HIPAA. HIPAA lists 18 identifiers that can be used to identify an individual, such as name, address, phone number, email address, social security number, medical record number, or biometric identifiers. A client's address is one of these identifiers and must be protected under HIPAA.