Which action best protects patient confidentiality?

• A. Share medical information with a coworker not involved in the patient's care
• B. Refuse to disclose information over the phone to the patient's daughter unless authorized
• C. Post patient information on social media
• D. Leave a copy of patient history in a copier

Answer: (B)

Protecting patient confidentiality means sharing information only with people who have a legitimate need to know and using secure, authorized means to disclose it. In nursing practice, this hinges on the patient’s right to control who sees their health information and on following rules like HIPAA that require authorization for disclosures and mandate the minimum necessary sharing.

The best choice embodies this principle by refusing to disclose information over the phone to the patient’s daughter unless proper authorization is in place. It shows you verify who is requesting information, ensure they are authorized to receive it, and obtain explicit consent before sharing any details. This protects the patient’s privacy and reduces the risk of unintended disclosure, aligning with ethical duties and legal requirements.

Other actions undermine confidentiality. Sharing information with a coworker not involved in the patient’s care spreads sensitive data beyond those who need it. Posting patient information on social media makes private health details public and can cause harm. Leaving a copy of patient history in a copier creates a tangible, accessible risk of exposure to unauthorized people. Each of these breaches violates the privacy protections that healthcare professionals are obligated to uphold.