A patient who is very angry and is leaving the hospital against medical advice (AMA) demands to have the medical record to take, because it is her personal property. An appropriate response would be:
“The information in your medical record is confidential, and you cannot leave this facility with it."
"Because you are leaving against the medical advice of your primary care provider, you may not have the medical record."
"You are entitled to the information in your medical record, but the medical record is the property of the hospital. I will see about having a copy made for you."
"Certainly. This hospital doesn't need to keep it if you are leaving and will not be returning here."
The Correct Answer is C
A. “The information in your medical record is confidential, and you cannot leave this facility with it." While confidentiality is true, this response may seem dismissive and doesn’t address the patient’s right to access their health information.
B. "Because you are leaving against the medical advice of your primary care provider, you may not have the medical record." Leaving AMA does not negate the patient’s rights to access their medical information.
C. "You are entitled to the information in your medical record, but the medical record is the property of the hospital. I will see about having a copy made for you." This response respects the patient’s rights and explains that while the original record is hospital property, a copy can be made.
D. "Certainly. This hospital doesn't need to keep it if you are leaving and will not be returning here." This response is inaccurate as the original medical record must remain with the hospital per legal guidelines.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Actions of the nurse are appropriate since his neighbor is his confidante, and the neighbor has assured him the information provided will not be shared. Confidentiality must be maintained regardless of assurances from others; sharing patient information outside a professional context is a violation of privacy.
B. Nurse has not violated the confidentiality of the patient because the patient is terminal; sharing this information will not harm the patient. Confidentiality must be maintained regardless of the patient's condition. Privacy and confidentiality are ethical requirements for all patients, terminal or otherwise.
C. Nurse is actively promoting nursing as a profession, and it is important to share information that might encourage others to pursue a nursing career. While promoting the profession is valuable, using a patient’s personal information is inappropriate and unprofessional. There are ethical ways to promote nursing without breaching confidentiality.
D. Nurse has violated the confidentiality of the patient by discussing personal information about the patient with his neighbor. Sharing patient information with someone who is not involved in the patient’s care violates HIPAA and confidentiality standards. This action is unprofessional and unethical.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Asking the patient, "Did you graduate from high school?" This question is not a direct way to assess reading or comprehension ability. A person’s educational level does not necessarily reflect literacy skills.
B. Giving the patient a printed instruction sheet and saying, "Some people have difficulty with written instructions. Others find them helpful. Would these be helpful to you?" This approach is indirect and does not confirm whether the patient can actually read or understand the instructions.
C. Giving the patient some printed materials and saying, "After you have read this, I'll ask you some questions about what's in them, to see if you've learned it." This option allows the nurse to assess both the patient's reading ability and understanding by following up with questions, ensuring comprehension.
D. Asking the patient, "Are you able to read?" While this question is direct, it may embarrass the patient, and it does not assess comprehension.