Question

A nurse's co-worker approaches the nurse to inquire about the test results of a friend that is being cared for by the nurse. How should the nurse respond?

1) Answer the questions softly so other people will not hear.
2) Decline to discuss the friend's medical condition.
3) Give the co-worker the name of the client's health care provider, so the co-worker can contact the provider instead.
4) To provide reassurance, tell the co-worker of the friend's test results that are within normal limits.

Answer 1

The nurse should decline to discuss the friend's medical condition with the co-worker to ensure patient confidentiality and compliance with privacy laws. It is essential to protect patient privacy rights at all times, which prohibits sharing any medical information without proper authorization.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse's co-worker inquires about the test results of a friend that the nurse is caring for, the appropriate response would be to decline to discuss the friend's medical condition. This is in line with maintaining confidentiality as per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The nurse must protect the patient's privacy rights at all times, regardless of whom the inquiry comes from. Providing any information, even if it is to reassure that the test results are within normal limits, would violate patient confidentiality.

It's important to remember that only individuals with a legitimate need to know, generally those directly involved in the patient's care, are allowed access to patient information. In this context, a co-worker asking out of personal interest does not have the right to access this information. Engaging in medical conversations, including discussing procedures and patient information, should always be done with discretion and in accordance with privacy regulations.