Which action by a nurse indicates a breach of a patient’s right to privacy?
Discussing the patient’s history with other staff during care planning
Documenting the patient’s daily behavior during hospitalization
Releasing information to the patient’s employer without their consent
Asking family to share information about a patient’s pre-hospitalization behavior
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Discussing patient history with staff during care planning is permissible under HIPAA for treatment purposes. It ensures coordinated care within the healthcare team, not violating privacy, as it is limited to professional need-to-know, making this choice incorrect.
Choice B reason: Documenting daily behavior is standard practice in medical records for treatment continuity and legal documentation. It is protected under confidentiality laws and does not breach privacy when restricted to authorized personnel, making this choice incorrect for a privacy violation.
Choice C reason: Releasing information to an employer without consent violates HIPAA, which mandates patient authorization for disclosures outside treatment, payment, or operations. This breaches confidentiality, compromising the patient’s right to privacy, making this the correct choice for a privacy violation.
Choice D reason: Asking family for pre-hospitalization information is appropriate if done with patient consent or legal justification, such as assessing history for treatment. Without evidence of unauthorized disclosure, this does not inherently breach privacy, making this choice incorrect.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Assault involves a threat of harm without physical contact. Forcing medication involves actual physical intervention, not just a threat, making assault incorrect. Battery better describes the unauthorized physical act in this scenario, as it involves direct contact.
Choice B reason: Battery is the unauthorized physical contact or use of force on a patient, such as forcibly administering medication against their objection. This violates patient autonomy and ethical standards, aligning with the scenario, making this the correct term for the nurse’s action.
Choice C reason: Negligence involves failing to meet a standard of care, causing harm, such as ignoring a patient’s needs. Forcing medication is an active violation, not a failure to act, making negligence incorrect for this intentional physical intervention.
Choice D reason: Malpractice involves professional negligence causing harm, typically through substandard care. Forcing medication is a deliberate act of battery, not a failure in skill or judgment, making malpractice less precise than battery for this scenario.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Basic-level nurses, such as LPNs or RNs, can teach coping skills, a standard intervention within their scope. This involves education on stress management, aligning with psychiatric nursing roles to support patient and family well-being, making this the correct choice.
Choice B reason: Treating major depressive disorder requires advanced skills, like prescribing or managing complex therapies, which is beyond a basic-level nurse’s scope. This is typically reserved for advanced practice nurses or physicians, making this choice incorrect.
Choice C reason: Prescribing antidepressants is restricted to advanced practice nurses or physicians, not basic-level nurses. This task involves medical decision-making outside the scope of RNs or LPNs, making it unsafe and inappropriate, thus incorrect.
Choice D reason: Assessing suicide risk requires advanced clinical judgment, often reserved for advanced practice nurses or psychiatrists. While basic-level nurses can observe and report, formal assessment exceeds their scope, making this choice incorrect for their role.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.