Which of the following actions by a nurse represents a breach of the nursing Code of Ethics?

The action that represents a breach of the nursing Code of Ethics is talking about a patient's progress to a friend. This behavior violates the principle of patient confidentiality, which is a foundational element of nursing ethics. Nurses are obligated to protect the privacy and confidentiality of their patients' health information.

Sharing patient information with individuals who are not directly involved in the patient's care or who do not have a legitimate need to know compromises the trust that patients place in their healthcare providers. The Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of safeguarding the dignity and rights of patients, which includes maintaining the confidentiality of their medical records and discussions about their health.

In contrast, discussing a client's care with family members who are permitted to receive that information, sharing the client's history with a primary health care provider for continuity of care, and discussing care with a coordinator for a future care facility are all actions that support collaborative patient care and involve individuals who are authorized to receive that information. These actions are generally aligned with ethical guidelines, provided appropriate consent has been obtained.