Professional Responsibility State Practice Exam

When assessing a consumer's health record, when is it justified for a nurse to do so?

1. Whenever they feel it’s necessary

2. Only with clinical justification

3. When seeking personal interest

4. Whenever they are unsure of the consumer's condition

The correct answer is: Only with clinical justification

The justification for a nurse to assess a consumer's health record lies in clinical necessity. Nurses are professionals bound by ethical guidelines and state laws that dictate their responsibilities towards patient confidentiality and informed consent. Accessing a health record must align with a clear clinical purpose, ensuring that the assessment is relevant to providing appropriate care and treatment. This means that it should occur only when there is a justified reason directly related to the patient's healthcare needs, such as needing to understand a patient’s medical history to make informed decisions about their treatment. This principle protects patient privacy and upholds the integrity of the healthcare system by ensuring that sensitive information is accessed and used only when truly necessary for patient care. The other choices highlight an inappropriate or unjustified approach to accessing health records, which could compromise patient confidentiality and trust. For instance, choosing to access records based on personal interest or a lack of certainty about a patient's condition lacks the necessary clinical justification and contradicts ethical standards in nursing practice.