A nurse needs to access a patient’s electronic medical records. What should the nurse do?

Choice A rationale
On initial evaluation by the home health nurse, a comprehensive assessment is typically performed to gather baseline data. This initial assessment is thorough and includes a detailed history and physical examination to understand the patient’s overall health status. It is not a partial ongoing assessment, which is more focused and conducted after the initial comprehensive assessment to monitor specific issues or changes in the patient’s condition.
Choice B rationale
Reassessing a client for pain after giving pain medication is an example of a partial ongoing assessment. This type of assessment is focused on evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention, such as pain medication, and determining if further action is needed. It involves collecting specific data related to the patient’s pain levels and response to treatment, rather than a comprehensive evaluation of their overall health.
Choice C rationale
Checking skin assessment on a patient with a medical device in place is also an example of a partial ongoing assessment. This focused assessment is conducted to monitor the condition of the skin around the medical device, looking for signs of pressure ulcers, infection, or other complications. It is not a comprehensive assessment but rather a targeted evaluation of a specific area of concern.

Choice D rationale
Preparing the client for discharge involves a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the patient is ready to leave the healthcare facility and can manage their care at home. This assessment includes evaluating the patient’s physical, psychological, and social needs, as well as their ability to perform activities of daily living. It is not a partial ongoing assessment, which is more focused and conducted during the course of care to monitor specific issues.

Choice A rationale
Asking the family member to provide identification does not ensure that the caller is authorized to receive patient information. Even with identification, the nurse cannot verify the caller’s relationship to the patient or their authorization to access confidential information.
Choice B rationale
Not providing any information over the phone is the correct action to protect patient confidentiality. Healthcare providers must ensure that patient information is only shared with authorized individuals, and phone calls do not provide a secure method for verifying the caller’s identity.
Choice C rationale
Providing only publicly available information is not appropriate, as it still involves sharing patient-related details without proper verification. Any disclosure of patient information, even if minimal, must be done with caution and proper authorization.
Choice D rationale
Informing the family member that they need to visit in person is a better approach, but it still does not guarantee that the individual is authorized to receive patient information. The nurse should follow established protocols for verifying authorization before sharing any details.