1
visibility

You are asked by your supervisor to take photographs of the residents and their family members who are attending a holiday dinner and celebration at your long term care facility. What should you do?

  • A

    Take the photographs because these photographs are part of the holiday tradition at this facility

  • B

    Take the photographs because all of the residents are properly attired and in a dignified condition

  • C

    Refuse to take the photographs unless you have the consent of all to do so

  • D

    Refuse to take the photographs because this is not part of the nurse’s role

Correct Response: C

You should refuse to take the photographs unless you have the consent of all to do so because to do otherwise is a violation of the residents’ rights to privacy and confidentiality as provided in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This, rather than the false belief that this is not part of the nurse’s role, is the reason that you would not automatically take these photographs.

Regardless of whether or not these photographs are part of the holiday tradition at this facility and whether or not the residents are properly attired and in a dignified condition, no photographs can be legally taken without the residents’ permission and consent.