Sonia works as a medical assistant. She recently started a new job, and it turns out that one of her new coworkers knows a former patient of Sonia’s. The coworker asks Sonia, “I heard that he had to come into the office several times to get medicine for some kind of disease. What was wrong with him?” What is the MOST professional way for Sonia to respond?
Answer
A
“Oh, he had a respiratory infection. It was bad."
B
“I’ll call you tonight after work and give you the details.”
C
“I cannot tell you that because it’s confidential information.”
D
“I don’t really remember, but I can call my old office and see what I can find out.”
Explanation
Sonia must protect a former patient’s medical privacy, even though the question comes from a coworker. She should clearly and professionally say that she cannot share confidential information. Choice C, “I cannot tell you that because it’s confidential information,” respects the patient’s privacy; the other choices disclose information or suggest trying to obtain it.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.