With whom should a nurse share her password for access to the facility's computer system?

Choice A rationale Sharing a personal password, even with a nurse manager, violates security protocols established to protect patient confidentiality under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the facility's data integrity. Each user is accountable for actions performed under their unique login credentials, and sharing compromises this accountability and audit trail. Choice B rationale A password is a confidential key that verifies a user's identity and access permissions within the electronic health record (EHR) system. Sharing it with anyone compromises the security of patient data, violates privacy laws (HIPAA), and undermines the accountability associated with charting and order entry, thus posing a significant risk. Choice C rationale The unit clerk typically requires their own set of credentials based on their job role and necessary access levels. Sharing a nurse's password with the unit clerk allows unauthorized access to clinical data or functions beyond their scope of practice, which is a direct violation of data security policies and professional ethics. Choice D rationale The Information System (IS) representative has system-level access and procedures for password resets or temporary access when needed, but they do not require or request a user's personal password for normal operations. Sharing it with IS still constitutes a breach of personal accountability and strict security policies designed to protect sensitive patient information.