General CNA Practice CNA Practice Patient Rights and Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under HIPAA, patient health information may be shared without written authorization with:
- Any hospital employee who requests it
- The patient's employer
- Other healthcare providers directly involved in the patient's care (Correct answer)
- Visitors who claim to be close friends
Correct answer: Other healthcare providers directly involved in the patient's care
HIPAA permits sharing protected health information with treating providers for the purpose of continuity of care.
Question 2: You hear a coworker loudly discussing a patient's diagnosis in a busy hallway. This is a violation of:
- Patient safety standards only
- Patient privacy and HIPAA regulations (Correct answer)
- Hospital infection control policy
- Chain of command protocol
Correct answer: Patient privacy and HIPAA regulations
Discussing identifiable patient information in areas where others can overhear violates HIPAA's privacy standards.
Question 3: A patient confides they are being physically abused at home. The CNA's primary obligation is to:
- Keep it confidential since the patient shared it privately
- Tell all staff members so everyone is aware
- Report it to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Advise the patient to contact police themselves
Correct answer: Report it to the nurse immediately
CNAs are mandated reporters; suspected abuse must be reported to the supervising nurse immediately for proper follow-up.
Question 4: Which action BEST protects a patient's privacy during personal care?
- Discussing care details with a curious visitor
- Closing the curtain before beginning care (Correct answer)
- Leaving medical records visible at the nursing station
- Sharing information with coworkers during a lunch break
Correct answer: Closing the curtain before beginning care
Closing the curtain or door maintains the patient's visual privacy during personal care.
Question 5: A patient's adult child demands to see their parent's medical records. The CNA should:
- Provide the records immediately to avoid conflict
- Refer the request to the nurse or medical records department (Correct answer)
- Deny the request without any explanation
- Make a copy and hand it over
Correct answer: Refer the request to the nurse or medical records department
Releasing medical records requires proper authorization; the CNA must direct the request to the appropriate department.
Question 6: Mandatory reporting laws require CNAs to report suspicions of which of the following?
- Patient non-compliance with prescribed medications
- Elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation (Correct answer)
- Family disagreements about the patient's care plan
- Patients who repeatedly refuse meals
Correct answer: Elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation
CNAs are mandated reporters and must report any suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation to protect vulnerable patients.
Question 7: In a shared patient room, which action best protects confidentiality during a care discussion?
- Speaking loudly so the patient can hear you clearly
- Posting care instructions on the wall for easy reference
- Using a low voice and leaning close to the patient (Correct answer)
- Leaving the room door open to reduce the patient's anxiety
Correct answer: Using a low voice and leaning close to the patient
Speaking quietly and close to the patient minimizes the chance that the roommate or visitors overhear private information.
General CNA Practice CNA Practice Patient Rights and Ethics 3
Under HIPAA, patient health information may be shared without written authorization with: