Certified Medical Assistant Practice Exam

A patient's neighbor calls, concerned about her friend and would like to know what is wrong with the patient. What should the medical assistant do?

1. Politely provide detailed information

2. Refer the caller to the patient's physician

3. Ask for permission to share information

4. Direct the caller to the hospital

The correct answer is: Ask for permission to share information

In situations concerning patient privacy and confidentiality, it is essential to adhere to the guidelines set forth by laws such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). The correct approach is to ask for permission to share information. This ensures that any discussion about the patient's health is conducted with the patient's consent, thereby safeguarding their privacy and confidential health information. By doing this, the medical assistant demonstrates respect for the patient's autonomy and builds trust, as it involves the patient in discussions about their health information. Without obtaining the patient's permission, sharing any details about their condition would be a violation of privacy regulations and could lead to legal implications for both the medical facility and the individual medical assistant. While other options might seem appealing, they do not adequately uphold patient confidentiality or require the necessary consent from the individual whose information is in question.