護理師收到確認年輕成年女性病人罹患披衣菌與淋病感染的機密實驗室結果。病人的男友走向護理站要求查看檢驗結果：「我們同居，如果她被感染我有權知道。」護理師最合法正確的回應為何？
A nurse receives confidential laboratory results confirming a young adult female client has active Chlamydia and Gonorrhea infection. The client's boyfriend approaches the nursing station demanding to see her test results, stating, 'We live together; if she's infected, I have a right to know.' What is the nurse's most legally appropriate response?
- ATell the boyfriend the nurse has no access to the client's records.告訴男友護理師無法存取病患的病歷。
- BVerbally disclose the STI diagnosis because public health codes require warning sexual partners.口頭透露性傳染病診斷，因為公共衛生法規要求警告性伴侶。
- CPolitely decline, explaining that under HIPAA, no medical information may be disclosed without the client's explicit written consent.✓ 正解禮貌拒絕，並解釋根據 HIPAA 法規，未經病患明確書面同意，不得披露任何醫療資訊。
- DPrint and give the lab report to the boyfriend if he correctly states the client's date of birth.如果男友正確報出病患的出生日期，則列印並提供檢驗報告給男友。
HIPAA（Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act）禁止在未取得病人明確書面同意下，向任何人揭露病人醫療資訊（包括配偶、伴侶、父母）。 選項 C 正確：禮貌拒絕並說明 HIPAA 規範，是法律上唯一正確的回應。可建議伴侶與病人本人溝通。 選項 B 錯誤：雖某些性傳染病需通報衛生主管機關，但護理師個人不可直接告知第三人。 選項 D 錯誤：身分驗證不能取代病人本人同意。 選項 A 錯誤：說謊宣稱無存取權是不誠實，且未真正解決 HIPAA 議題。
HIPAA prohibits disclosure of any patient medical information to anyone without the client's explicit written consent—including spouses, partners, and parents. C is correct: Politely declining and citing HIPAA is the only legally correct response. The nurse may suggest the partner discuss directly with the client. B is incorrect: Some STIs require reporting to public health authorities, but nurses cannot personally disclose to third parties. D is incorrect: Verifying identity does not substitute for the client's own consent. A is incorrect: Lying about access is dishonest and does not address the HIPAA issue.
美規 HIPAA 是全世界最嚴苛的醫療隱私法案，配偶沒有自動知情權。台灣早期會有醫師偷偷告訴家屬病情的陋習，但現今《個人資料保護法》及護理倫理亦明確要求此類敏感傳染病應保守秘密，由病患親自告知。