Ethical and Legal Considerations of Computer Use in Nursing: Interactive Quizzes

Question 1

When a patient requests to view their medical records electronically, nurses should:

Accepted Answer

Obtain written consent before providing access

Answer

Grant access immediately

Answer

Deny access without a physician's order

Answer

Report the patient to the IT department

Question 2

In nursing, which ethical principle requires healthcare professionals to uphold the privacy of patient information?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 3

What is the primary responsibility of the Privacy Officer within a healthcare organization?

Accepted Answer

Oversees adherence to patient privacy regulations

Answer

Investigates privacy breaches

Answer

Conducts employee training on privacy protocols

Answer

Develops and implements privacy policies

Question 4

In nursing practice, what is the ethical responsibility in balancing patient autonomy while ensuring patient safety?

Accepted Answer

Provide the patient with information about risks and support their decision

Answer

Adhere to the patient's wishes even if they may be medically unwise

Answer

Disregard the patient's wishes if deemed harmful

Answer

Consult with a physician before making any decisions

Question 5

When using computers in nursing, which ethical principle prioritizes patient autonomy and decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Question 6

What is the primary legal framework in the United States that safeguards patient privacy in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Patient Self-Determination Act

Answer

Privacy Act of 1974

Answer

Americans with Disabilities Act

Question 7

What is the nurse's primary responsibility regarding the confidentiality of patient information?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining the privacy and security of patient data

Answer

Informing patients of privacy policies

Answer

Reporting breaches of patient confidentiality

Answer

Obtaining consent before disclosing patient information

Question 8

When a patient declines consent for the use of their health information, what is the nurse's appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Respect the patient's decision and refrain from using their information

Answer

Override the patient's decision if it is in their best interest

Answer

Attempt to persuade the patient to reconsider

Answer

Document the patient's refusal and share it with other healthcare providers

Question 9

When using computers in nursing, which action is NOT legally required to maintain patient confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Disclosing patient information to family members without consent

Answer

Encrypting patient data

Answer

Using strong passwords

Answer

Restricting access to patient data

Question 10

In nursing, which ethical principle is central to computer use?

Accepted Answer

Protecting patient information confidentiality and security

Answer

Prioritizing personal convenience over patient privacy

Answer

Using computers for personal gain

Answer

Sharing patient information without consent

Question 11

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) primarily establishes standards to protect:

Accepted Answer

Patient information privacy

Answer

Healthcare provider records

Answer

Electronic health record systems

Answer

Medical device security

Question 12

Which of the following is considered a serious computer-related offense in nursing practice that could result in legal liability?

Accepted Answer

Accessing patient records without appropriate authorization

Answer

Inputting incorrect patient information

Answer

Failing to regularly back up patient data

Answer

Using unlicensed software

Question 13

Which federal regulation is primarily responsible for ensuring patient information protection in nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Answer

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Answer

Joint Commission (JCAHO) standards

Question 14

A potential ethical dilemma that nurses may face when using computers for patient care is:

Accepted Answer

Balancing the need for patient privacy with the importance of information sharing

Answer

Ensuring equal access to technology for all patients

Answer

Protecting patient data from unauthorized access or use

Answer

Avoiding bias in data collection and analysis

Question 15

Which computer application is specifically tailored for nurses to document patient care?

Accepted Answer

Electronic Health Record (EHR) system

Answer

Microsoft Word

Answer

Google Sheets

Answer

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Question 16

Nurses have a legal obligation to ensure that computer systems used in patient care are:

Accepted Answer

Both A and C.

Answer

Secured and confidential

Answer

Up-to-date with the latest software

Answer

Used professionally

Question 17

HIPAA regulations primarily aim to protect:

Accepted Answer

Patient privacy

Answer

Provider confidentiality

Answer

Data security

Answer

Healthcare worker rights

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a breach of confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Leaving patient records unattended on a desk in a secure area

Answer

Discussing a patient's medical history with a colleague involved in their care

Answer

Sharing patient information with the patient's family with their consent

Answer

Using patient data for research purposes in a manner that ensures their anonymity

Question 19

True or False: It is acceptable to store patient records on a personal laptop or portable device.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 20

To enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and safeguard patient privacy, which strategy is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Establishing standardized policies and procedures for accessing and sharing patient information across disciplines.

Answer

Nurses working independently in managing patient data without consulting other healthcare professionals.

Answer

Healthcare professionals accessing patient data without obtaining appropriate consent.

Question 21

Which fundamental ethical principle is central to the use of computers in nursing?

Accepted Answer

Respect for patient privacy

Answer

Patient autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Fair distribution of resources

Question 22

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) primarily protects:

Accepted Answer

Patient health information

Answer

Nursing documentation

Answer

Medical devices and equipment

Answer

Data privacy in general

Question 23

Which practice is NOT a component of security measures for computer use in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Sharing login credentials with colleagues

Answer

Encrypting data

Answer

Utilizing firewalls

Question 24

When disclosing protected health information (PHI), nurses should:

Accepted Answer

Limit disclosure to the minimum necessary

Answer

Share PHI with anyone who requests it

Answer

Always obtain explicit written consent from the patient

Question 25

To protect patient information in electronic health records (EHRs), nurses should:

Accepted Answer

Use strong passwords and log out when not actively using the system

Answer

Store patient information on personal devices

Answer

Allow other staff to access EHRs without proper authorization

Question 26

Which of the following is a recommended best practice for nurses using social media?

Accepted Answer

Maintain professional boundaries and avoid posting PHI

Answer

Share personal information about patients

Answer

Engage in online debates with other healthcare professionals

Question 27

An advantage of using computers in nursing practice includes:

Accepted Answer

Enhanced patient safety through accurate and accessible record-keeping

Answer

Increased workload for nurses

Answer

Reduced face-to-face interaction with patients

Question 28

To ensure compliance with ethical and legal obligations, nurses should:

Accepted Answer

Regularly review and update their knowledge of relevant regulations and guidelines

Answer

Rely solely on their own judgment

Answer

Disregard the concerns of patients related to privacy

Question 29

Which principle of information security aims to prevent unauthorized access to data?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Integrity

Answer

Non-repudiation

Answer

Availability

Question 30

In the context of technology use in patient care, which ethical principle is of primary importance to nurses?

Accepted Answer

Respect for patient autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Question 31

Which law specifically protects patient privacy and confidentiality in healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Answer

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Answer

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

Question 32

What is the significance of obtaining informed consent in ethical computer use in nursing?

Accepted Answer

It ensures patient permission before accessing or using their personal health information

Answer

Maintaining confidentiality of patient data on shared networks

Answer

Documenting patient care using electronic health records

Question 33

What is the fundamental purpose of encryption in safeguarding electronic health records?

Accepted Answer

To make data unreadable to unauthorized individuals

Answer

To ensure data integrity and authenticity

Answer

To prevent data loss in case of system failure

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a potential risk of using social media in healthcare?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced communication and patient engagement

Answer

Blurring of professional boundaries

Answer

Dissemination of misinformation

Answer

Breach of patient confidentiality

Question 35

Which of the following actions by a nurse directly violates patient confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

Sharing a patient's personal photo on social media without their consent.

Answer

Discussing a patient's case with a colleague in a private, secure setting.

Answer

Sharing a patient's medical records with another healthcare provider directly involved in their care.

Question 36

The primary purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is to:

Accepted Answer

Protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information.

Answer

Provide universal healthcare coverage for all Americans.

Answer

Regulate the use of electronic health records.

Question 37

What is the most crucial step a nurse can take to protect patient privacy when using computers?

Accepted Answer

Access only patient information that is directly relevant to their current care needs.

Answer

Use a strong password for all healthcare system accounts.

Answer

Keep computer equipment locked when not in use.

Question 38

What is the nurse's primary responsibility in ensuring the security of patient information within electronic health records?

Accepted Answer

Maintain strong passwords, report any suspicious activity, and follow security protocols.

Answer

Install the latest software updates on all devices.

Answer

Regularly back up patient data to prevent loss.