Final Answer:
c. Only discuss patient information with authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis. Nurses must prioritize patient confidentiality, sharing information solely with those involved in the patient's care to uphold privacy and trust, as stated in the need-to-know principle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in healthcare, and nurses must adhere to it to protect patients' privacy and build trust. Option c, "Only discuss patient information with authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis," is the correct choice. This means that nurses should only share patient information with individuals who are directly involved in the patient's care and have a legitimate reason to access the information.
Sharing patient information with other healthcare providers (Option a) might be necessary for collaborative care, but it should be done in a way that respects the need-to-know principle. Disclosing information to family members (Option b) should be done with the patient's consent or in situations where it is deemed necessary for the patient's well-being. Obtaining written consent from the patient before documenting information (Option d) is important for certain procedures but may not be practical for routine documentation in a healthcare setting.
In summary, the nurse's responsibility is to balance the sharing of patient information for effective care while ensuring that it is disclosed only to authorized individuals on a need-to-know basis, thereby upholding the principle of confidentiality in medical records.