Professional Responsibility State Practice Exam

Under which circumstance can health information be disclosed to friends and family?

1. When the nurse believes it's in the best interest of the patient

2. After obtaining explicit permission from the patient

3. When the patient is incapacitated and no family member is available

4. At the discretion of the healthcare team

The correct answer is: After obtaining explicit permission from the patient

The correct choice is based on the principle of patient autonomy and privacy that underlies health information disclosures. Obtaining explicit permission from the patient ensures they are actively consenting to share their personal health information. This respects the patient's right to control their own medical information, which is a fundamental aspect of healthcare ethics and privacy laws, such as HIPAA in the United States. Moreover, making decisions about disclosing information solely based on the healthcare provider's judgment or discretion, or in situations involving incapacitation without clear patient consent, can undermine the patient's trust and violate their rights. Thus, only an explicit agreement from the patient provides the necessary legal and ethical foundation for disclosure to friends and family.