A nurse notices that a client's health information is visible on an unattended computer screen at the nurses' station. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Log the previous user out of the system.
Offer to conduct a unit in-service on client confidentiality.
Report the incident to the charge nurse.
Complete an incident report.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Logging the previous user out of the system immediately ensures the client's health information is no longer visible, protecting the client's privacy according to HIPAA guidelines.
B. Offering to conduct an in-service on client confidentiality is a proactive measure but does not address the immediate privacy issue.
C. Reporting the incident to the charge nurse is appropriate but does not prevent unauthorized viewing of the client's information immediately.
D. Completing an incident report is necessary to document the breach, but it should occur after protecting the client’s privacy by logging out.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Consulting the ethics committee is unnecessary at this stage, as there is no ethical dilemma in arranging social support services.
B. Suggesting a discharge delay is premature and may not be feasible; alternative support should be considered first.
C. Long-term care facility placement is a more permanent solution and may not align with the client’s needs or preferences.
D. Recommending a referral to social services is appropriate as social services can help arrange post-discharge support, including home health services or community resources, ensuring a safe transition home.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. While the nurse's notes may include observations about the client's condition, recording that an incident report was filed does not provide pertinent details regarding the client's care and is not appropriate.
B. Incident reports are confidential documents and should not be shared with the client's family, so providing a copy of the report is inappropriate.
C. Documenting the facts about the incident in the medical record is essential to provide a complete account of the client's care and any resulting changes or observations. This documentation is important for continuity of care and legal purposes.
D. Incident reports should not be placed in the medical record, as they are separate documents intended for internal review and quality assurance purposes.