Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) Practice Exam

The appropriate response in this scenario is to explain that discussing the case would violate the patient's right to privacy. Patient confidentiality is a fundamental principle in healthcare, governed by regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. This law mandates that healthcare providers protect sensitive patient information and only share it in specific circumstances where consent is given or when required by law.

Maintaining patient confidentiality ensures that personal health information is safeguarded, fostering trust between patients and healthcare providers. By refraining from discussing the patient's diagnosis with a coworker who lacks the necessary authorization or a legitimate need to know, you uphold these ethical and legal standards.

The other choices would lead to breaches of patient confidentiality. Discussing the case with the coworker could compromise the patient's privacy. Reporting the incident to hospital security is unnecessary unless there is a breach or security concern. Giving false information would be unethical and could lead to misinformation or a breakdown of trust among staff and patients. Thus, the most appropriate and responsible course of action is to ensure that patient privacy is respected at all times.