Health Informatics and Technology: Professional Responsibilities
Post-Test
- Health informatics is best described as:
A. the use of electronic resources to document and share patient information
B.a method for ensuring the use of best practices in the delivery of patient care
C.the use of technology to facilitate communication, safety, and decision making
D.an approach which relies on the internet for sources of scientific knowledge
- Demonstrated benefits of an electronic health record (EHR) include which of the following? Select all that apply.
- Timely access to patient assessment data
- Enhanced safety through computerized functions
- Increased patient and family satisfaction
- Improved speed and efficiency of documentation
3.What does HIPAA stand for? ______
4.Which of the following would be considered a HIPAA violation?
A.Providing an update on the patient’s condition to the health care provider by phone
B.Leaving a message on a patient’s answering machine regarding an upcoming appointment
C.Providing discharge instructions to the patient and the patient’s spouse
D.Leaving the patient’s medication record in plain view at the bedside
5.Which one of the following would be considered protected health information (PHI) under the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
A.The patient’s date of birth
B.Patient’s vital signs
C.The name of the patient’s assigned hospital nurse
D.Patient’s height and weight
6.Which of the following do not require the patient or guardian’s authorization for disclosure to appropriate authorities? Select all that apply.
A.The patient’s new HIV positive test results
B.A gunshot wound of a patient admitted to the emergency room
C.The patient’s address and telephone number
D.Multiple, unexplained bruises on a child that raise suspicions of abuse
E.The patient’s social history of smoking and drinking
7.Mary is a nursing student. On her Facebook page you notice she has posted a picture of
herself holding a newborn with the caption, “my first newborn delivery experience in clinical
today!” You should do which of the following? Select all that apply.
A.Tell Mary that her post on Facebook violates patient confidentiality
B.Congratulate Mary on Facebook regarding her first newborn delivery
C.Do nothing as Mary has a right to share her personal experiences
D.Share the picture and exciting news with other nursing students
E.Speak with Mary’s nursing instructor regarding the Facebook post
8.When an employer guideline differs from a HIPAA regulation, the nurse should:
A.Follow the HIPAA regulations because they are federally mandated
B.Do what the immediate supervisor says to do
C.Comply with the more stringent rules to protect privacy and confidentiality
D.Follow employer guidelines since they supersede HIPAA regulations
9.A friend of a patient approaches the nurse and asks the nurse about the patient’s condition.
An appropriate response would be:
A.“The patient has improved considerably since yesterday”.
B.“It is nice of you to be concerned. Do you know why your friend is here?”
C.“I am not able to discuss information with you regarding your friend’s condition.”
D.“I doubt your friend would want you to know about his/her condition.”
10.According to the video on HIPAA, protection of the patient’s privacy and confidentiality is
important in order to establish:
A.hospital policies
B.patient trust
C.patient satisfaction
D.guidelines for professional behavior
11.Ways that a nursing student can promote privacy and confidentiality include: Select all that apply.
A.Facing a computer screen away from public view
B.Using privacy settings to discuss patients online with classmates
C.Shredding or destroying any notes that contain patient identifiers
D.Discussing patients in a remote or deserted part of the cafeteria
E.Using a secure or protected place to store your password for the electronic health
Record
ANSWERS:
- C(While A,B, and D contribute to informatics, the most comprehensive answer is C).
- A,B (Answers C & D are not a direct benefit of the EHR).
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
- D
- A (Vital signs, while important, are not considered patient identifying information.)
- A, B, D (These are all reportable acts since they represent potential abuse, violence,
or information for controlling communicable diseases.)
- A, E(Reporting violations to appropriate authorities is an expected behavior. Health
care professionals are held to be “self-policing” of their members, and this
Includes reporting violations in conduct by other members of the profession.)
- C(Employer policies may be more stringent than HIPAA and result in dismissal or firing if
violated. An example might include staff nurses who discuss poor work conditions online without disclosing any patient identifier. An employer might consider this a breach of confidentiality and subsequently fire the employees.)
- C(Only the patient or individuals authorized by the patient can be informed of the
Patient’s condition. If the nurse is not sure if the patient has given authorization to an individual, the nurse should not divulge confidential information without verification.)
- B(Confidentiality between the care provider and patient is essential to establish trust. If
Patient privacy is not upheld and information is not kept in confidence, then trust is
violated. Subsequently, the patient may not be willing to divulge important information
to the health care provider that is needed for treatment.)
- A, C, E(These are all appropriate actions for promoting privacy and confidentiality.)