Final answer:
The statement is true; nurses must adhere to privacy laws and only access client information for those under their direct care to maintain confidentiality and comply with legal obligations like HIPAA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that nurses should only access client information for those clients directly under their care is true. According to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, healthcare professionals are obligated to maintain confidentiality and privacy of patient health information. It is a violation of these laws for nurses to access personal health information of clients who are not under their direct care unless they have a legitimate need for the information as part of providing care or for other specific, permitted reasons.
Nurses are trained to follow strict ethical standards and legal requirements that protect patient privacy. Accessing client information without a need-to-know basis can result in legal penalties, damage to professional reputation, and loss of trust in the healthcare system. Therefore, it is imperative for nurses to uphold these professional standards at all times.