Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC) Practice Exam

What is a core requirement for the technical safeguards under HIPAA?

1. Patient consent

2. Network security measures

3. Physical access controls

4. Written policies

The correct answer is: Network security measures

The core requirement for the technical safeguards under HIPAA is network security measures. These safeguards are designed to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI) by implementing technologies and policies that control access to and the use of this sensitive data. Network security measures include a range of strategies and technologies to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI, such as encryption, firewalls, and secure user authentication protocols. By employing these technical safeguards, healthcare organizations can reduce the risks associated with unauthorized access and potential breaches of patient information. While patient consent, physical access controls, and written policies are important aspects of HIPAA compliance, they fall under different categories. Patient consent pertains to patient rights and permissions regarding their information. Physical access controls involve measures to limit physical access to facilities and areas where ePHI is stored. Written policies are critical for guiding staff on handling and protecting health information. However, these elements do not specifically address the technical safeguards required to secure electronic data and ensure safe network operations.