Question

The parent of a 33-year-old client who is admitted to the hospital for drug and alcohol withdrawal asks about the client's condition and treatment plan. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

a) Provide the information to the parent.
b) Explain the reasons for the hospitalization, but give no further information.
c) Ask the client if information can be given to the parent.
d) Take the parent to the client's room and have the client give the requested information.

Answer 1

The appropriate action for the nurse is to ask the client for permission before sharing any information with the parent, as the client is an adult and has a right to medical privacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate action by the nurse in this situation is c) Ask the client if information can be given to the parent. Given that the client is 33 years old, they are legally an adult and entitled to medical privacy under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations. Without the patient's consent, healthcare providers cannot share their personal health information with family members or others. In cases where the patient is a minor, the situation with privacy rights can be more complicated. Adolescents may have the right to confidentiality for certain types of medical care, and revealing information about their sexual health to parents without consent can be a gray area that requires careful navigation by healthcare professionals.