NAB CORE Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Master the Long Term Care Administrator Certification!

Releasing a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form without proper authority raises significant concerns regarding patient confidentiality and privacy. The DNR is a sensitive medical document that contains personal health information specific to an individual, in this case, Mrs. J. Under healthcare privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, patient information must be protected and can only be disclosed to authorized individuals.

By not releasing the DNR form to the friend, the staff is respecting the confidentiality of Mrs. J and adhering to legal standards that govern patient information. The protection of personal health information is paramount, and releasing it without the patient’s consent could lead to serious ethical and legal implications. Therefore, maintaining confidentiality in this situation is not just a matter of policy, but a crucial part of upholding the trust between patients and healthcare providers.