HIPAA Comprehensive Exam | 50 Actual Questions and
Answers Latest Updated 2025/2026 (Graded A+)
1. Patients trust that we will keep their personal and medical
information private. Who is responsible to assure this happens?
A. Only physicians
B. Only the Privacy Officer
C. Any individual, regardless of title or position with access to PHI
D. Only managers and administrators
• Correct Answer – C. Any individual, regardless of title or position
with access to PHI
Rationale: HIPAA compliance is not limited to doctors or privacy
officers. Every workforce member who has access to PHI—nurses,
technicians, billing staff, IT, and contractors—is legally and
ethically responsible for safeguarding patient information. Shared
accountability ensures comprehensive protection of patient
privacy.
2. Patient records are property of the medical facility and they can
never be disclosed, even to the patient.
A. True
B. False
• Correct Answer – B. False
Rationale: HIPAA grants patients the right to access and request
copies of their medical records. While the facility owns the
physical or electronic record, the information belongs to the
, patient. Refusing to disclose to the patient would violate HIPAA’s
“Right of Access Rule.”
3. Which of the four scenarios would be an example of inappropriate
use of medical information under HIPAA regulations and policies?
A. A nurse checking records of her assigned patients
B. A physician reviewing a patient’s chart before surgery
C. A copy of a medical record given to the patient’s priest during a
visit
D. A billing staff member verifying patient insurance coverage
• Correct Answer – C. A copy of a medical record given to the
patient’s priest during a visit
Rationale: HIPAA allows sharing PHI only with individuals
authorized by the patient or as legally required. Giving records to
a priest without written consent violates HIPAA’s disclosure rules.
The other scenarios represent appropriate uses related to
treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
4. If a co-worker asks me to “Log On” to the network for them
because they forgot their password, what should I do?
A. Log in for them to save time
B. Share your password until they reset theirs
C. Tell them to call Information Services to reset their unique
password
D. Ignore the request
, • Correct Answer – C. Tell them to call Information Services to
reset their unique password
Rationale: Sharing or using another employee’s login credentials
violates HIPAA security standards and compromises accountability.
Each employee must have a unique identifier to ensure proper
tracking of access and protect against unauthorized disclosures.
5. If you see a co-worker browsing the computerized medical record
or charges of another co-worker, what should you do?
A. Do nothing—maybe they have a reason
B. Ask them to stop if you know it’s not part of their job
C. Notify your manager
D. Contact security and report a suspected privacy breach
E. All of the above
• Correct Answer – E. All of the above
Rationale: Unauthorized access of PHI, even of another employee,
is a serious HIPAA violation. Immediate intervention, reporting to
management, and escalation to security ensure that potential
breaches are addressed quickly and properly documented.
6. Mike is a patient at your medical facility and he wants to review
his medical records. What should he do?
A. Ask a nurse to show him his file immediately
B. Hack into the patient portal
C. Request a copy of his records through the proper process
D. Wait until discharge to ask for them
Answers Latest Updated 2025/2026 (Graded A+)
1. Patients trust that we will keep their personal and medical
information private. Who is responsible to assure this happens?
A. Only physicians
B. Only the Privacy Officer
C. Any individual, regardless of title or position with access to PHI
D. Only managers and administrators
• Correct Answer – C. Any individual, regardless of title or position
with access to PHI
Rationale: HIPAA compliance is not limited to doctors or privacy
officers. Every workforce member who has access to PHI—nurses,
technicians, billing staff, IT, and contractors—is legally and
ethically responsible for safeguarding patient information. Shared
accountability ensures comprehensive protection of patient
privacy.
2. Patient records are property of the medical facility and they can
never be disclosed, even to the patient.
A. True
B. False
• Correct Answer – B. False
Rationale: HIPAA grants patients the right to access and request
copies of their medical records. While the facility owns the
physical or electronic record, the information belongs to the
, patient. Refusing to disclose to the patient would violate HIPAA’s
“Right of Access Rule.”
3. Which of the four scenarios would be an example of inappropriate
use of medical information under HIPAA regulations and policies?
A. A nurse checking records of her assigned patients
B. A physician reviewing a patient’s chart before surgery
C. A copy of a medical record given to the patient’s priest during a
visit
D. A billing staff member verifying patient insurance coverage
• Correct Answer – C. A copy of a medical record given to the
patient’s priest during a visit
Rationale: HIPAA allows sharing PHI only with individuals
authorized by the patient or as legally required. Giving records to
a priest without written consent violates HIPAA’s disclosure rules.
The other scenarios represent appropriate uses related to
treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.
4. If a co-worker asks me to “Log On” to the network for them
because they forgot their password, what should I do?
A. Log in for them to save time
B. Share your password until they reset theirs
C. Tell them to call Information Services to reset their unique
password
D. Ignore the request
, • Correct Answer – C. Tell them to call Information Services to
reset their unique password
Rationale: Sharing or using another employee’s login credentials
violates HIPAA security standards and compromises accountability.
Each employee must have a unique identifier to ensure proper
tracking of access and protect against unauthorized disclosures.
5. If you see a co-worker browsing the computerized medical record
or charges of another co-worker, what should you do?
A. Do nothing—maybe they have a reason
B. Ask them to stop if you know it’s not part of their job
C. Notify your manager
D. Contact security and report a suspected privacy breach
E. All of the above
• Correct Answer – E. All of the above
Rationale: Unauthorized access of PHI, even of another employee,
is a serious HIPAA violation. Immediate intervention, reporting to
management, and escalation to security ensure that potential
breaches are addressed quickly and properly documented.
6. Mike is a patient at your medical facility and he wants to review
his medical records. What should he do?
A. Ask a nurse to show him his file immediately
B. Hack into the patient portal
C. Request a copy of his records through the proper process
D. Wait until discharge to ask for them
