In working with clients and their personal information, you must be mindful that:

• A. You respect their privacy and confidentiality and their right not to share the information
• B. You can share with family if they ask
• C. You can share with any clinician
• D. You should record and store without consent

Answer: (A)

Protecting personal information and maintaining confidentiality is essential in client-centered care. The best approach is to respect the client’s privacy and their right not to share information unless they choose to disclose. This means sharing should happen only with the client’s informed consent or when there is a clear safety concern or a legal obligation that requires disclosure. For example, you wouldn’t share with family simply because they ask, unless the client has given explicit permission. Sharing with other clinicians is appropriate only within the bounds of consent and the need for care coordination. Recording or storing information should also occur with proper consent and in line with agency policies; doing so without consent can undermine trust and violate privacy standards. There are exceptions, such as mandated reporting or disclosures needed to protect safety, which should be handled according to policy. Prioritizing confidentiality supports the client’s autonomy, dignity, and willingness to engage in care.