Which term refers to the ethical and legal principle that patient information should be kept private with limited disclosure?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Active listening
• C. Barrier
• D. Etiquette

Answer: (A)

Protecting patient information by keeping it private and sharing it only with those who need to know is a fundamental duty in healthcare. The term for this ethical and legal obligation is confidentiality. It governs what can be disclosed, to whom, and under what circumstances, and it’s reinforced by laws like HIPAA to protect sensitive health data. When information must be shared, it should be limited to what is necessary for care and, when possible, obtained with patient consent. Other terms don’t fit this concept: active listening relates to how you hear and respond to patients, a barrier is something that blocks communication, and etiquette refers to polite behavior. Maintaining confidentiality builds trust and protects patient safety.