Which term is the obligation to keep patient information private?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Nursing Home Resident Rights
• C. Deductible
• D. Healthcare Culture

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality means keeping a patient’s information private and sharing it only with those who need to know to provide care or protect the patient. This is an ethical and legal obligation in healthcare, helping to maintain trust, protect the patient’s dignity, and ensure safe, appropriate care. In day-to-day practice, you avoid discussing a resident’s medical details in public areas, you chart in private, and you share information with family or other staff only with the patient’s consent or when it’s necessary for care. There are times when information must be shared by law or for safety, such as reporting certain conditions to authorities or coordinating urgent treatment. The term you’re looking for isn’t about overall rights or costs or the broader workplace environment; it specifically refers to the duty to keep information private.