Final answer:
The student nurse should not view their family member's medical record unless they are providing direct care to that individual. Privacy laws restrict medical record access to those directly involved in a patient's care.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question "The student nurse is working in the clinical facility and learns a family member has been admitted to the same facility. What statement is true about the student's access to the family member's medical record?" is D. The student nurse should not view the record unless they are providing care for the family member. Access to medical records must be strictly controlled and is governed by privacy laws, such as HIPAA in the United States. A student nurse, like any healthcare professional, is bound by these laws and ethical considerations to only access medical records when necessary for the care of the patient.
When dealing with adolescent patients and questions of privacy and confidentiality, healthcare professionals are faced with additional challenges. These challenges stem from balancing the adolescent's right to privacy, especially concerning sexual health issues, with parental rights to know about their child's health. In many regions, healthcare regulations grant adolescents certain privacy rights. In such cases, the healthcare professional must navigate these regulations while also considering the need to protect the health of the adolescent and potentially their sexual partners.
Ultimately, when and how parents are informed depends on legal requirements and ethical considerations. It is generally accepted that the healthcare professional should strive to encourage open communication between the adolescent and their parents, while still respecting the adolescent's right to confidential healthcare services, as allowed by the law.