Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is a HIPAA-compliant way for a medical assistant to call patients in the waiting room?

1. Call patients by their full name

2. Call patients by their last name only

3. Call patients by a nickname

4. Call patients using their first name only

The correct answer is: Call patients using their first name only

Calling patients using their first name only is considered a HIPAA-compliant way to address patients in the waiting room. This approach minimizes the use of personal health information in a public setting, thereby reducing the likelihood of breaching patient confidentiality. Using only a first name helps to maintain discretion and protect patient privacy, as it does not reveal the person's full identity, which could be more identifiable in a crowded waiting area. In contrast, other options could potentially compromise patient privacy. For instance, calling patients by their full name could draw attention to their identity in a public space, potentially exposing them to unauthorized listeners. Utilizing only a last name might still disclose enough information to identify someone, depending on the context. Calling patients by a nickname may not be respectful or appropriate in a clinical setting, and it could lead to confusion about whether the medical assistant is referring to the correct patient. Overall, using the first name strikes a balance between friendliness and confidentiality.