Which principle guides nurses in maintaining patient confidentiality?

Maintaining patient confidentiality is fundamentally guided by the principle of trust. This principle emphasizes the importance of establishing a trusting relationship between nurses and their patients. Patients must feel confident that their personal and medical information will be kept private and that their dignity will be respected. Trust is essential in fostering open communication, allowing patients to share sensitive information without fear of it being disclosed.

Confidentiality is a legal and ethical obligation for nurses, aligning with the expectations of the nursing profession to safeguard patient information. When patients trust that their confidentiality will be protected, they are more likely to seek care and disclose necessary information, which ultimately enhances their health outcomes. Therefore, the principle of trust is central to the obligation to maintain confidentiality in nursing practice.