Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

In which scenario would a patient's privacy be most likely violated?

1. A patient sharing their lab results with a family member

2. A caregiver discussing patient details in a public area

3. A patient posting about their diabetes on social media

4. A physician texting about patient treatment

The correct answer is: A caregiver discussing patient details in a public area

The scenario in which a patient's privacy would most likely be violated is when a caregiver discusses patient details in a public area. This situation poses a significant risk for unauthorized individuals to overhear sensitive information without the patient’s consent, breaching confidentiality laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States. Health care professionals are required to safeguard patient information and share it only in secure environments, ensuring the protection of personal health information. While sharing lab results with a family member may feel like it risks privacy, it can be a consensual and controlled exchange. A patient posting about their diabetes on social media is done at their discretion and is not a violation of privacy as long as they do not disclose private information about others. Texting about patient treatment can present risks as well, but if proper protocols are followed—such as using secure messaging systems—it may not constitute a direct violation. Overall, discussing patient details in a public area is the most overt breach of privacy, as it occurs without consideration for who might be listening.