Author Question: A nurse who is working with a client who has been diagnosed with AIDS reveals the client's name and ... (Read 61 times)

gonzo233 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A nurse who is working with a client who has been diagnosed with AIDS reveals the client's name and diagnosis with a co-worker on the way downstairs in an elevator.

Unknowingly, a friend of the client that happens to be sharing the elevator and hears the entire story. The nurse who shared the information may be held liable for:
1. Slander
2. Assault
3. Malpractice
4. Invasion of privacy

Question 2

The newly enacted Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 2003 re-quires:

1. Insurance coverage for all clients
2. Policies on how to report communicable diseases
3. Limits on information and damages awarded in court cases
4. Safeguards to protect written and verbal information about clients

micaelaswann · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 1
A nurse can be held liable for slander if he or she shares private client information that can be overheard by others. Assault is any intentional threat to bring about harmful or offensive contact. No actual contact is necessary. The nurse in this situation has not committed assault. Malpractice is negligence committed by a professional such as a nurse or physician. Nursing malpractice re-sults when care falls below the standard of care. This case is not an example of malpractice. Inva-sion of privacy occurs when the client has unwanted intrusion into his or her private affairs. This case is not an example of invasion of privacy. This instance falls under the category of defama-tion of character.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 4
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires all hospitals and health agencies to have specific policies and procedures in place to ensure that there are reasona-ble safeguards to protect written and verbal communications about clients. HIPAA does not re-quire insurance coverage for all clients. It limits the extent to which health plans may impose preexisting condition limitations and prohibits discrimination in health plans against individual participants and beneficiaries based on health status. HIPAA does not require policies on how to report communicable diseases. It does require safeguards to protect written and verbal infor-mation about clients. HIPAA does not require limits on information and damages awarded in court cases.