Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) CBT Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In nursing practice, confidentiality is defined as the obligation to protect patient information. This key principle ensures that healthcare workers respect the privacy of the individuals they care for, safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access. It is a fundamental ethical standard that underpins the trust in the nurse-patient relationship. Upholding confidentiality helps to maintain the dignity and autonomy of the patient, fostering a safe environment where they can fully disclose their health concerns and personal information.

Maintaining confidentiality also aligns with legal and regulatory requirements, such as those outlined in various healthcare laws and ethical guidelines. By ensuring that patient information is disclosed only with consent and only to those directly involved in the patient's care, nurses fulfill their professional duty to protect the patient's rights.

The other options do not align with the definition of confidentiality in nursing. Sharing all patient information within the healthcare team may compromise patient privacy if not done appropriately. Documenting patient information for public access directly contravenes the principle of confidentiality. Providing information only to family members without the patient's consent also violates confidentiality, as it requires patient permission to disclose such information.