Nursing HIPAA and Confidentiality Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

Nursing HIPAA and Confidentiality Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified What is the nurse’s primary responsibility regarding patient confidentiality? To protect all personal health information from unauthorized access or disclosure Can a nurse access their own medical record using their hospital login? No, that is a misuse of access and a violation of HIPAA What should a nurse do if a patient asks for a copy of their medical records? Direct the patient to the health information department and follow facility policy Why is it important to close electronic health records after use? To prevent unauthorized individuals from viewing sensitive information What should a nurse do if a family member of a patient asks for an update? Confirm that the patient has authorized sharing and follow facility procedures 2 Is it acceptable for nurses to share patient information with their spouse? No, unless the spouse is part of the patient’s care and the patient has consented Can a nurse take a photo of a patient for documentation using a personal phone? No, personal devices should never be used to capture or store PHI Why should nurses avoid discussing patients in hallways or elevators? Because these are public spaces and may lead to unintentional breaches What is the correct action if a nurse finds printed patient information left on a copier? Secure the document immediately and notify the appropriate staff What is the importance of maintaining confidentiality during shift report? It ensures that only authorized personnel receive patient information Can nursing students access all patient records during clinical rotations? No, only records of patients assigned to them for care 3 What is the best way to confirm a caller’s identity before giving patient updates over the phone? Use patient-provided password or verify identity per facility policy What should a nurse do if another staff member asks for patient details not related to their job? Politely refuse and explain the importance of privacy and role-based access What is considered a breach of confidentiality? Sharing patient information with someone who is not authorized to know it What must a nurse do before faxing patient information? Confirm the fax number and use a cover sheet with confidentiality disclaimer Why is confidentiality essential in the nurse-patient relationship? It builds trust and ensures ethical, professional care Is it acceptable to leave a voicemail with detailed health information? No, only minimal information should be left, such as callback requests 4 What should the nurse do if a client requests not to share information with their family? Document the request and ensure all staff are aware of the restriction What is the role of a password in protecting patient information? It limits system access to authorized users only What is the proper response if a patient