A woman is admitted for repair of cystocele and rectocele. She has nine living children. In taking her health history, what would the nurse expect to find?

Choice A: The social worker is not the correct answer because they are not legally responsible for obtaining informed consent for an invasive procedure. The social worker is a professional who provides psychosocial support and advocacy for clients and families, such as counseling, referrals, or discharge planning.

Choice B: The nurse is not the correct answer because they are not legally responsible for obtaining informed consent for an invasive procedure. The nurse is a professional who provides direct care and education for clients and families, such as assessment, medication administration, or teaching. However, the nurse can assist the physician in obtaining informed consent by witnessing the client's signature, verifying the client's understanding, or documenting the process.

Choice C: The physician is the correct answer because they are legally responsible for obtaining informed consent for an invasive procedure. The physician is a professional who diagnoses and treats clients and families, such as performing surgery, prescribing medication, or ordering tests. The physician must explain the purpose, benefits, risks, alternatives, and consequences of the procedure to the client and obtain their voluntary agreement before proceeding.

Choice D: The unit secretary is not the correct answer because they are not legally responsible for obtaining informed consent for an invasive procedure. The unit secretary is a staff member who performs clerical and administrative tasks for the unit, such as answering phones, filing records, or scheduling appointments.

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.