Abby is an emergency room nursing assistant who is taking care of a patient without health insurance. The care is expensive, and the patient will likely not be able to pay for it. A local news station heard about the patient’s story. While leaving work a few days later during the patient’s recovery, a reporter asks Abby about the patient’s condition. Abby tells the reporter that the patient is doing well and she is pleased with the patient’s progress. Did Abby violate any ethical principles?
Answer
A
Yes, because she violated the ethical principle of patient confidentiality.
B
Yes, because she did not ethically handle the lack of health insurance.
C
No, because she treated the patient even though there was no insurance.
D
No, because she only reported that the patient was doing well.
Explanation
Yes. A patient’s condition and recovery are private health information, and Abby should not disclose it to a reporter without the patient’s authorization. Even saying the patient is doing well reveals information about the patient’s health. The patient’s lack of insurance does not make that information public, so choice A, violating patient confidentiality, is correct.
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