Which action might compromise patient confidentiality?

Revealing patient information to friends outside of work clearly compromises patient confidentiality because it involves disclosing sensitive health information to individuals who are not authorized to receive it. Patient confidentiality is primarily maintained by limiting access to personal health information strictly to those who are involved in the patient's care or have a legitimate reason to know, such as healthcare professionals within the same organization.

In this context, revealing patient details to friends violates the trust placed in healthcare providers and can lead to privacy breaches, legal implications, and potential harm to the patient. This is why the action of discussing patient details with unauthorized individuals is considered a serious violation of confidentiality standards.

On the other hand, discussing patient care in a private setting, sharing details with authorized personnel, and keeping thorough records are all practices that support confidentiality. Such actions ensure that information is handled responsibly and that patient privacy is upheld within the appropriate bounds of the healthcare setting.