Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

Which of the following scenarios represents a violation of patient confidentiality?

1. Discussing a patient's condition in a locked conference room with authorized staff

2. Leaving a patient's medical records open on a desk unattended

3. Using encrypted email to send patient information to another healthcare provider

4. Shredding old patient records as per hospital protocol

The correct answer is: Discussing a patient's condition in a locked conference room with authorized staff

The correct answer is that leaving a patient's medical records open on a desk unattended represents a violation of patient confidentiality. Confidentiality in nursing and healthcare means protecting patient information from unauthorized access or disclosures. When medical records are left out in an open, unattended space, there is a risk that individuals who are not authorized to view that information could potentially see it. This scenario demonstrates a failure to protect the patient's private medical data, which goes against the fundamental principles of patient confidentiality. In contrast, discussing a patient's condition in a locked conference room with authorized staff adheres to the necessary privacy protocols since the environment is secure and the participants have the right to access that information. Similarly, using encrypted email to transmit patient information ensures that the data is protected from unauthorized interception while still allowing for necessary communication between healthcare providers. Shredding old patient records according to established hospital protocols is a standard practice that helps maintain confidentiality by securely disposing of sensitive information that is no longer needed.