What is the nurse's responsibility regarding an adolescent's confidentiality in healthcare?

Maintaining confidentiality is a critical component of providing care to adolescents. The nurse's responsibility to respect the adolescent's wishes and maintain confidentiality is grounded in ethical principles as well as legal standards. Adolescents have a right to privacy, particularly regarding sensitive health information such as sexual health, mental health, and substance use.

When a nurse honors an adolescent's request for confidentiality, it fosters trust and encourages open communication between the patient and healthcare provider. This trust is essential because adolescents may be more willing to seek care for health concerns if they know their information will not be disclosed without their consent. Maintaining confidentiality can significantly impact their health outcomes by enabling them to access necessary services and support without fear of judgment or breach of privacy.

In situations where the adolescent's safety is at risk or there are concerns about harm to themselves or others, the nurse may need to take action that involves notifying parents or guardians. However, this should always be done with the adolescent's best interest in mind, and ideally, the adolescent should be involved in discussions regarding what will be shared with parents or guardians.