A client comes to the clinic and is found to have an STD (sexually transmitted disease). The client states to the nurse, "Promise you won't tell anyone about my condition."

Question

The nurse, according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, must do which of the following? 1. Honor the client's wishes
2. Not disclose any information to anyone
3. Respect the client's privacy and confidentiality
4. Communicate only necessary information

Answer 1

4. Communicate only necessary information

Rationale:
HIPAA includes standards that protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data as well as standards that define appropriate disclosures of identifiable health information and patient rights protection. Nurses are entrusted with sensitive information, which at times must be revealed to other health care personnel in order to provide appropriate health care. In this case, the nurse may be required to report information to the state health department. Clients must be able to trust that their information is secure and will only be shared with appropriate entities. Nurses should not make promises to keep necessary information private.