Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

When a school nurse reports child abuse, what permits this breach of confidentiality?

1. Civil immunity

2. Sovereign immunity

3. Nurse practice act

4. Respondeat superior

The correct answer is: Civil immunity

In situations where a school nurse reports child abuse, civil immunity is a legal protection that allows the nurse to disclose confidential information without the risk of facing legal consequences for breaching patient confidentiality. This is designed to encourage healthcare professionals to report suspected abuse without the fear of liability, thereby prioritizing the safety and welfare of the child over confidentiality concerns. The law recognizes that in cases of suspected child abuse, protecting the child from harm is of utmost importance. Consequently, civil immunity provides the necessary legal framework that supports this protective action. Reporting suspected abuse can help ensure that appropriate interventions are made, and civil immunity reassures nurses that their intentions to protect vulnerable individuals are not just legally justified but also supported. On the other hand, while the nurse practice act is important for outlining the scope of practice and responsibilities of nurses, it does not specifically provide for the breach of confidentiality in situations of child abuse. Likewise, sovereign immunity pertains to the protection of government entities and their employees from lawsuits, which does not apply here. Respondeat superior refers to an employer’s liability for the actions of an employee carried out in the course of their duties, which is also not specifically relevant to the confidential reporting of suspected child abuse.