Professional Responsibility State Practice Exam

Which nursing value ensures the protection of personal information?

1. Justice

2. Autonomy

3. Confidentiality

4. Beneficence

The correct answer is: Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the nursing value that ensures the protection of personal information. This principle emphasizes the importance of maintaining privacy regarding patient information and is critical in fostering trust between patients and healthcare providers. Nurses are obligated to safeguard any personal health information they encounter in their practice, which is vital for respecting the rights and dignity of patients. This duty is not only ethical but also legal, as breaches can lead to serious consequences for both the patient and the healthcare professional involved. While justice relates to fairness and equitable treatment, autonomy focuses on the individual's right to make informed choices about their own care. Beneficence encompasses the obligation to act in the best interest of the patient, promoting their well-being. Although these values are central to nursing ethics, they do not specifically address the safeguarding of personal information the way confidentiality does. Thus, confidentiality uniquely emphasizes the protection of patient privacy, making it the correct choice in this context.