Ace the ANCC Exam 2025 – Ignite Your Nursing Superpowers!

A nurse practitioner has an ethical obligation to report a patient’s information when there is a potential harm to self or others. This is rooted in the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, which emphasize the moral responsibility to take action that promotes the well-being of individuals and protects them from harm.

In situations where a patient may be at risk of self-harm or poses a threat to others, the nurse practitioner must act to safeguard those individuals, as well as the patient themselves. This may include reporting to the appropriate authorities or intervening in a manner that mitigates the risk of harm. Such actions are not only ethically justified but are often mandated by law, particularly concerning issues like child abuse, elder abuse, or threats of violence.

The other scenarios presented do not render an ethical obligation to report. Refusal of treatment reflects a patient’s autonomy and right to make decisions about their healthcare, and personal secrets shared by patients fall under the confidentiality principle unless they indicate harm. Similarly, not following medical advice typically does not require reporting, as it is a decision made by the patient that does not necessarily pose immediate risk to anyone's safety.