NCLEX-RNManagement of CareEasy
A nurse notices a coworker accessing the electronic medical record of a client who is a local celebrity but is not assigned to that coworker's care. What is the nurse's priority action?
- AConfront the coworker directly and tell them to stop
- BReport the observation to the nurse manager or appropriate compliance officer
- CWait to see if the coworker accesses the record again before reporting
- DDocument the incident in the client's medical record
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Report the observation to the nurse manager or appropriate compliance officer
Unauthorized access to a client's health record is a HIPAA violation. The nurse's priority is to report the incident through proper channels (nurse manager or compliance/privacy officer) so it can be formally investigated, rather than handling it informally or delaying action.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Confronting the coworker does not ensure the violation is formally addressed or documented.
- C. Delaying the report allows continued unauthorized access and potential harm.
- D. Documenting in the client's chart is inappropriate; this is a personnel/compliance issue, not a clinical note.
Confidentiality/HIPAA Violation
Accessing a client's health information without a legitimate care-related reason violates HIPAA and must be reported to appropriate supervisory or compliance personnel.
- HIPAA protects all client health information, including celebrities
- 'Need to know' basis applies to chart access
- Unauthorized access must be reported, not ignored or handled informally
Memory trick: See it, report it — don't sit on a privacy breach.