An 8-year-old has full thickness burns on 34% of his total body surface area. Someone calls the unit claiming to be the patient's mother and asks for information about the patient's prognosis. How should the nurse respond?

Explanation

•For confidentiality reasons, the nurse is prohibited from discussing patient information over the phone to an unknown person.

Incorrect options:

•"Your son has suffered massive burns" and "Your son may not survive" breaches patient confidentiality.

•"Let me transfer you to the physician" does not address the caller's concerns. Also, the physician cannot provide confidential information to an unknown caller.

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