For this Competency Assessment, you will respond to the following prompts based on the case study that is related to a particular health issue: HIV partner notification.
Scenario: You are a nurse in the surgical unit of a large metropolitan hospital. A young woman has been admitted for an ovarian cyst removal later the same day. As you are taking her health history, she reveals that she has recently been diagnosed as HIV positive. In response to a query from you, she acknowledges that she has not yet seen a healthcare provider regarding this diagnosis. She also quickly adds that she hasn’t disclosed this condition to her new boyfriend, who is in the waiting room, or to any other family members or friends.
Respond to the questions below from your perspective as the nurse providing care for this patient. Support your thoughts and ideas with appropriate citation of scholarly references.
With this patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality in mind, identify those whom you need to inform about her HIV-positive status. Provide support from scholarly references for your response. (1–2 paragraphs)
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During the health assessment, your patient has revealed that her boyfriend does not know about her HIV-positive status. Briefly explain how you might explore the patient’s understanding of how her HIV positive status may impact her relationship and the health of her partner. Explain why you would take this approach. Support your approach with scholarly references. (1–2 paragraphs)
[Insert response here]
Identify two actions you would take—or ensure are taken—in this scenario to preserve patient confidentiality. Support your response with reference to the ANA’s position paper on privacy and confidentiality. (1–2 paragraphs)
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The Code of Ethics for Nurses was developed to provide guidance for administering quality and ethical care while upholding standards and obligations of the profession. Select one of the provisions of the Code and explain how you might apply this provision to guide your responses to the health assessment described in the scenario. Support your response with appropriate citations from scholarly references. (2–3 paragraphs)
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Once your patient has revealed her HIV-positive status to you, what else do you need to think about and do in providing quality care? With a holistic approach to this woman’s care in mind, describe one subsequent action you might take. Explain how this action is in alignment with the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Support your response with appropriate citations to scholarly references. (2–3 paragraphs)
[Insert response here]
Soon after revealing her HIV-positive status to you during the health history, the patient appears to regret bringing it up. She is clearly worried and asks you if any of this information will be sent to her home, which she shares with her parents, or to her employer. Briefly explain how you would respond to her. Support your response with scholarly references. (2–3 paragraphs)
[Insert response here]
