A prominent member of society is hospitalized; People are calling about the client’s condition. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Provide them with the name of the client’s healthcare provider
• B. Suggest that they speak to a family member
• C. Offer a time when they can speak directly to the client
• D. Inform them that the client is doing as well as can be expected

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is protecting patient privacy and ensuring information is shared only with authorized people. When people call about a hospitalized patient, the nurse should direct them to a family member who is an authorized contact to receive and relay information. This respects confidentiality and avoids disclosing health details to someone who isn’t authorized. Providing the provider’s name, offering a direct conversation with the patient, or stating the patient’s condition to the caller would risk sharing information without proper consent. By guiding the caller to speak with a family member, the nurse ensures that information is shared through the appropriate channel.