Nursing Informatics, Privacy, and Safe Electronic Communication

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Sample questions from Nursing Informatics, Privacy, and Safe Electronic Communication

This material has 20 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A nurse opens a portal message sent 10 minutes earlier: 'I have heavy chest pressure, sweating, and trouble catching my breath. Can I wait until tomorrow?' Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Send a message advising the client to rest and provide an update in one hour.
   • B.Attempt immediate telephone contact and direct activation of emergency medical services.
   • C.Forward the message to the clinician's routine inbox.
   • D.Review the client's complete cardiac history before making contact.

   Rationale: B is correct because the combination suggests a time-sensitive cardiopulmonary emergency requiring immediate contact and emergency action. A delays evaluation and provides potentially unsafe reassurance. C uses a routine pathway for an urgent threat. D delays action to collect information that is not necessary to recognize the immediate risk.

2. 2.Which statement about an email address and protected health information is most accurate?

   • A.Every email address is automatically PHI under HIPAA in every setting.
   • B.Email addresses can never be PHI because they are not diagnoses.
   • C.An email address linked to identifiable health information may be part of PHI maintained or transmitted by a covered entity.
   • D.Health information stops being PHI when a client sends it voluntarily.

   Rationale: C is correct because an email address can identify a person when connected to health information within HIPAA's covered context. A overstates HIPAA's scope and ignores context. B incorrectly excludes identifiers from PHI. D is incorrect because voluntary transmission does not automatically remove the receiving covered entity's protection responsibilities.

3. 3.A nurse realizes that a discharge summary was emailed to the wrong recipient. The client is currently stable. What is the most appropriate next action?

   • A.Promptly report the incident through the organization's privacy process and follow containment instructions.
   • B.Delete the sent message and take no further action.
   • C.Ask a coworker to decide whether the event is legally reportable before notifying anyone.
   • D.Post a general warning about the event on a public social media page.

   Rationale: A is correct because prompt reporting permits authorized containment and assessment. B conceals the event and does not remove copies already received. C delays reporting and assigns a legal determination to an unauthorized person. D may expand the disclosure and is not an appropriate incident-response method.

4. 4.A laboratory reports a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L for a client with chronic kidney disease. The result has already appeared in the client's portal. Which response is best?

   • A.Assume that the client will contact the clinic if symptoms develop.
   • B.Wait until the next appointment because the result is already visible.
   • C.Send dietary advice without further assessment.
   • D.Promptly assess the client and escalate through the critical-result pathway.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A nurse is reviewing safe medication communication practices. Which option contains only appropriate practices?

   • A.Write .5 mg, use U for units, and clarify conflicting instructions.
   • B.Write 0.5 mg, avoid trailing zeros, and clarify conflicting instructions.
   • C.Write 5.0 mg, use personal email for faster delivery, and confirm allergies.
   • D.Write 0.5 mg, recommend doubling missed insulin doses, and verify identity.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.