While conducting an interview with a 14-year-old mental health client, he tells you that he has a plan to kill students at his school because they will not stop picking on him

Question

He says, "I have everything I need all set up." What would be your responsibility after hearing this statement?
A) To maintain the client's confidentiality and not share the information with anyone
B) To maintain the client's confidentiality, but try to convince him that it is the wrong thing to do
C) To break the client's confidentiality because he has threatened the lives of other people
D) To break his confidentiality by documenting the client's plan

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
Providers may use and disclose protected health information without consent, authorization, or both when they are conducting treatment, payment, and health care operations. They may disclose information without consent or authorization if so mandated by state or federal reporting requirements, such as those related to public health, abuse, neglect, and domestic violence. Providers may disclose protected information to law enforcement officials under specific circumstances. Documentation does not constitute a violation of confidentiality, though the nurse should certainly document the client's statement.