Which action would require intervention due to patient confidentiality concerns?

• A. Discussing a client's diagnosis with visiting family member
• B. Documenting vital signs in the chart
• C. Explaining procedures to the patient
• D. Using privacy curtains when discussing care with the patient

Answer: (A)

Protecting patient information and sharing it only with authorized individuals is foundational to nursing practice. Information like a diagnosis is protected health information and should only be disclosed with the patient’s consent or to people who are authorized to know. Discussing a client's diagnosis with a visiting family member typically counts as disclosure to someone not authorized, unless the patient has explicitly permitted it. That is why this action would require intervention to safeguard confidentiality: stop the discussion, verify the patient’s consent, or involve the appropriate party to relay information if consent is given. The other actions do not violate confidentiality: documenting vital signs is part of standard charting; explaining procedures to the patient supports informed consent and understanding; using privacy curtains helps maintain privacy during conversations with the patient.