Can a Nurse lie to Me?

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Hello, My aunt is in the hospital in intensive care. I was told to get out of the room, while they did an x-ray. They also had the blinds closed so i wouldnt be able to look from the window. Anyway when they were about done, I went back to the window and saw that I could peek and thru the curtains a bit. I could also hear some of what they were saying.

Now my aunt had awoken and I could see her trying to get the tube out of her mouth. Then I heard the nurse say something about morphine. Then few minutes later I see the nurse give my aunt a needle shot, and my aunt went fast asleep almost instantly. When I was allowed to go inside the room. I asked the nurse did u give her morphine. She hesitated and said no. Then she changed the subject. Is she lying to me because of the HIPPA LAW? Why couldn't she say I can't tell you. Why give a direct answer such as no? Is it even ethical for her to say that? plz help.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

HIPAA laws prevent us from sharing information, including what medications a patient is receiving, without permission or a need to know, such as if you are the POA and the patient is incapacitated.

It is sometimes difficult to avoid divulging information even when denying someone information. Sometimes "I can't answer that" shares more information than saying "no".

Unless there is a legal right to know, avoiding asking such questions is the best way to avoid being lied to.

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God Bless you man. Thank you so much!

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The average person lies 10 times a day.

What would possess you to "peek through the blinds"? Your aunt received medication that made her comfortable.

Comfortable during an extremely invasive treatment of intubation. No, she didn't get morphine.. she got something better.. prescribed by the DOCTOR to knock her out .

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I am sorry your Aunt is ill. I will send positive vibes and prayers for her to get better.

But as per the terms of Service of this site we cannot offer medical advice.

[h=3]Medical Advice:[/h] ALLNURSES.COM, INC or it's members do not offer medical advice. Any requests for such will be taken down. If you have a medical problem, please seek attention from your health care provider. You are not allowed to ask for medical advice related to a health situation that affects you, a family member, or someone you know.

We frequently ask family members to leave when procedure are being done and to not expose you to the x-rays. IN the future please allow your aunt some privacy. I'm sure she would appreciate it.

HIPAA (not HIPPA) prevents us from discussing information with anyone who is not the healthcare proxy without permission.

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