Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Community-Based Nursing Practice Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Community-Based Nursing Practice related questions and content

A home health nurse has been working for several months with a male patient who is receiving rehabilitative services. The nurse is aware that maintaining the patients confidentiality is a priority. How can the nurse best protect the patients right to confidentiality?

  • A. Avoid bringing the patients medical record to the home.
  • B. Discuss the patients condition and care only when he is alone in the home.
  • C. Keep the patients medical record secured at all times.
  • D. Ask the patient to avoid discussing his home care with friends and neighbors.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: If the nurse carries a patients medical record into a house, it must be put in a secure place to prevent it from being picked up by others or from being misplaced. This does not mean, however, that it must never be brought to the home. It is not normally necessary to limit discussions to times when the patient is alone. The patient has the right to decide with whom he will discuss his condition and care.