Which statement best describes HIPAA?

• A. HIPAA protects patient privacy and security
• B. HIPAA standardizes nursing diagnoses
• C. HIPAA is a device to measure nurse satisfaction
• D. HIPAA is the data standard for costs

Answer: (A)

HIPAA is about protecting patient privacy and the security of health information. It sets who can access protected health information (PHI), limits what data can be shared, and requires safeguards for electronic and other records to keep confidentiality intact while still allowing necessary use for treatment, billing, and health care operations. It also gives patients rights to access their records and control disclosures. The other choices don’t fit because nursing diagnoses are standardized by nursing classifications, not HIPAA; HIPAA isn’t a tool to measure nurse satisfaction; and it isn’t the data standard used for costs.