How should the nurse respond if a client asks him not to share information with others?

Question

a. "I will not share information with your family or friends without your permission.
I will, however, need to share information that relates to your reason for being
here with other staff who work with you.".
b. "The nice thing about a therapeutic relationship is that it is just between the nurse
and the client. You will have to tell others whatever you want them to know about
you and the problems that led to your hospitalization.".
c. "It really depends on what you choose to tell me. I will be glad to disclose at the
end of each session what I will report to other staff.".
d. "I really cannot tell anyone about you. It will be as though I am talking about my
own problems and we can help each other by keeping it between us.".

Answer 1

ANS: A
A client has the right to know with whom the nurse will share information and that confidentiality
will be protected. Option B is untrue. Although the relationship is primarily between the nurse and
client, other staff need to know pertinent data. Option C is inappropriate, promotes incomplete
disclosure on the part of the client, and requires daily renegotiation of an issue that should be
resolved as the nurse-client contract is established. Option D presents an inappropriate picture of the
nurse-client relationship, suggesting it is used for mutual problem solving. The relationship must be
client centered.