Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

If a nurse practitioner is unable to reach a patient to discuss normal laboratory results, what is the most appropriate action?

1. Leave laboratory results on the answering machine

2. Leave a message with her name and instruct the patient to call back

3. Do not call back if results are normal

4. Let the physician decide on further contact with the patient

The correct answer is: Leave a message with her name and instruct the patient to call back

The most appropriate action is to leave a message with the nurse practitioner's name and instruct the patient to call back. This approach maintains the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality while ensuring that the patient is informed of the need to discuss important health information, such as laboratory results. By leaving a message that includes the practitioner's name, the patient recognizes who is trying to reach them and can prioritize the call when they return it. This option encourages open communication between the patient and the nurse practitioner and allows the patient to engage in their healthcare actively. Additionally, it avoids any risks associated with leaving sensitive information on an answering machine, which may not be secure, and respects the standards of patient confidentiality mandated by healthcare regulations. Providing clear instructions for the patient to call back also emphasizes the importance of discussing the results, reinforcing the practitioner-patient relationship.