Professional Responsibility State Practice Exam

What principle should guide nurses when using social media?

1. To promote their personal website

2. To ensure posts do not breach patient confidentiality

3. To share every moment of their work life

4. To connect personally with patients

The correct answer is: To ensure posts do not breach patient confidentiality

Ensuring that posts do not breach patient confidentiality is a fundamental principle that guides nurses when using social media. Maintaining patient confidentiality is critical in the healthcare profession, as it fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers and is often mandated by legal and ethical standards such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States. When nurses engage with social media, they must be vigilant about what they share, ensuring that any information posted does not disclose the identity or personal health information of patients. Even seemingly innocuous details can lead to the identification of patients, which can result in significant legal consequences and a breach of ethical standards. Furthermore, other options do not align with the core values of patient care. Promoting personal websites or sharing every moment of work life can distract from professionalism and might overshadow the importance of patient privacy. Similarly, connecting personally with patients through social media can blur the boundaries of a professional relationship and raise ethical concerns. Thus, the paramount principle remains the protection of patient confidentiality in all social media interactions.