Ethical Principles And Patient Confidentiality - NAPLEX
- Which option is required for most disclosures of PHI not related to TPO: consent or authorization?
- Authorization. HIPAA requires this formal permission for non-TPO disclosures to ensure patient control over PHI.
- Identify the correct action: You must call a prescriber about a patient; what should you limit?
- Share only the minimum necessary information. HIPAA's minimum necessary rule restricts shared details to essentials for effective communication.
- What does PHI mean under HIPAA when data can identify an individual and relates to health care?
- Protected health information. PHI encompasses identifiable health data under HIPAA to enforce privacy protections.
- What term describes a patient's right to control access to personal health information?
- Privacy. This right empowers individuals to decide who can access their personal medical details.
- What term describes the minimum necessary access to PHI needed to perform a job function?
- Minimum necessary standard. This HIPAA standard limits PHI access to only what is essential for the task to protect patient information.
- What ethical principle requires fair and equitable treatment and resource allocation among patients?
- Justice. This principle ensures impartial distribution of healthcare resources and equal treatment without discrimination.
- Which option best describes de-identified data under HIPAA: PHI or not PHI?
- Not PHI. Removing identifiers from data exempts it from HIPAA regulations as it no longer identifies individuals.
- Identify the correct action: A friend asks about a patient's refill; you have no permission.
- Do not disclose any information. Ethical and legal standards prohibit sharing PHI without consent to uphold confidentiality.
- What ethical principle requires respecting a capable patient's right to make informed choices?
- Autonomy. This principle upholds the patient's right to self-determination in healthcare decisions when they have decision-making capacity.
- What HIPAA rule governs permissible uses and disclosures of protected health information (PHI)?
- HIPAA Privacy Rule. This rule specifies when and how PHI can be shared to balance utility with patient privacy rights.
- What is a business associate in HIPAA terms?
- A vendor handling PHI for a covered entity. HIPAA defines this as an external entity performing functions involving PHI for covered entities.
- What ethical principle requires avoiding harm and preventing foreseeable injury to the patient?
- Nonmaleficence. This principle obligates healthcare providers to refrain from causing harm and to mitigate potential risks to patients.
- What ethical principle requires keeping promises and maintaining commitments to patients?
- Fidelity. This principle emphasizes loyalty and reliability in fulfilling professional obligations to patients.
- What ethical principle requires truthfulness and accurate communication with patients and providers?
- Veracity. This principle demands honesty in all interactions to foster trust in healthcare relationships.
- Which option is appropriate: Discussing a patient case in an elevator using identifiers or not?
- Not appropriate if identifiers are included. Including identifiers in public discussions risks breaching confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
- What HIPAA rule sets administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for electronic PHI?
- HIPAA Security Rule. This rule requires protections for ePHI to prevent unauthorized access and breaches.
- Identify the HIPAA concept: a disclosure requested by a patient is generally not limited by it.
- Minimum necessary does not apply to patient requests. HIPAA exempts patient-initiated disclosures from this restriction to honor individual autonomy.
- Which document gives patients information about how a covered entity uses and discloses PHI?
- Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP). This document informs patients of their rights and entity practices regarding PHI handling.
- Identify the ethical priority when autonomy conflicts with beneficence in a capable informed patient.
- Respect the patient's autonomous decision. Ethical guidelines prioritize patient self-determination over provider beneficence in competent adults.
- What federal law establishes national standards for protecting patient health information?
- HIPAA. This law mandates safeguards for PHI to ensure privacy and security in healthcare settings.
- Which three purposes allow PHI disclosure without patient authorization under HIPAA?
- Treatment, payment, and health care operations. HIPAA permits PHI use for these core functions without authorization to facilitate essential healthcare activities.
- What agreement is required before a vendor can access PHI on behalf of a covered entity?
- Business Associate Agreement (BAA). This contract ensures business associates comply with HIPAA standards when handling PHI.
- What ethical principle requires acting in the patient's best interest to promote benefit?
- Beneficence. This principle mandates pharmacists to prioritize actions that enhance patient welfare and provide therapeutic benefits.
- What ethical duty requires protecting patient information from unauthorized disclosure?
- Confidentiality. This duty safeguards sensitive health data to maintain patient trust and comply with legal standards.
- What HIPAA rule requires notification after certain breaches of unsecured PHI?
- HIPAA Breach Notification Rule. This rule ensures timely alerts to affected individuals and authorities following PHI compromises.