Which term is most closely associated with protecting patient privacy by not sharing information without authorization?

Which term is most closely associated with protecting patient privacy by not sharing information without authorization?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Code of Ethics
• C. Beneficence
• D. Veracity

Answer: (A)

Protecting patient privacy by not sharing information without authorization is about confidentiality. Confidentiality means keeping a patient’s information private and sharing it only with people who have a legitimate need to know, and with the patient’s permission when required. This principle helps build trust and is supported by laws and professional standards that govern who can access medical records and how they can be used. For example, you shouldn’t discuss a patient’s condition in a public place or share records with someone not involved in the patient’s care. The other terms describe broader or different duties: a code of ethics covers overall professional guidelines, beneficence is about acting in the patient’s best interest and doing good, and veracity focuses on telling the truth. So confidentiality directly targets the protection of privacy and controlled information sharing, making it the best fit for this question.

Protecting patient privacy by not sharing information without authorization is about confidentiality. Confidentiality means keeping a patient’s information private and sharing it only with people who have a legitimate need to know, and with the patient’s permission when required. This principle helps build trust and is supported by laws and professional standards that govern who can access medical records and how they can be used. For example, you shouldn’t discuss a patient’s condition in a public place or share records with someone not involved in the patient’s care.

The other terms describe broader or different duties: a code of ethics covers overall professional guidelines, beneficence is about acting in the patient’s best interest and doing good, and veracity focuses on telling the truth. So confidentiality directly targets the protection of privacy and controlled information sharing, making it the best fit for this question.