Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC) Practice Exam

What may be considered an incidental disclosure under HIPAA if overheard or observed by others?

1. Writing a patient's name on a sign-in sheet

2. Discussion in the hospital cafeteria

3. Discussion with a patient about laboratory reports

4. Discussing a patient's condition openly

The correct answer is: Discussion with a patient about laboratory reports

The concept of incidental disclosures under HIPAA pertains to situations where protected health information (PHI) is inadvertently shared or heard by individuals who are not authorized to receive that information. In this context, the correct choice reflects a situation where a patient is involved in a conversation about their own medical information, which is relevant and appropriate for them to hear. Discussing laboratory reports with a patient is not considered an incidental disclosure because the patient is entitled to access and understand their own health information. This conversation takes place directly between the healthcare provider and the patient, maintaining the integrity of the discussion and respecting the patient's rights regarding their PHI. In contrast, writing a patient's name on a sign-in sheet and discussions that occur in a public setting, such as the hospital cafeteria, may involve other individuals who aren't authorized to hear the information, leading to potential incidental disclosures. Similarly, openly discussing a patient's condition where others can overhear it poses a risk to the patient's privacy and confidentiality, which is contrary to HIPAA regulations. Therefore, these scenarios represent situations that could compromise patient privacy through inadvertent disclosures.