A nurse receives a phone call requesting information about a client's status on the day of surgery. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Tell the caller to speak directly with the client.
• B. Encourage the caller to speak with the client's family member.
• C. Verify whether client information can be communicated over the phone.
• D. Refuse to answer questions about the client's status.

Answer: (C)

Protecting patient privacy and PHI is the guiding principle. When someone calls asking for a patient’s status, the nurse must first determine whether information can be shared by phone. This means verifying the caller’s identity and confirming that there is proper authorization (such as a signed release or documented permission) to receive the patient’s information. Only after confirming authorization should any details be disclosed, and the nurse should share only information within the scope of that authorization. If there isn’t appropriate authorization, the nurse should refrain from sharing and offer alternatives (like scheduling a callback or having the patient or an authorized surrogate provide the information). This approach prevents unauthorized disclosure and complies with privacy rules, which is why verifying communication permissions by phone is the correct first step.