Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

True or False: A patient has the right to make changes to their medical chart as well as view it.

1. True

2. False

3. Only if requested

4. Only through legal representation

The correct answer is: True

Patients have a fundamental right to access their medical records, which is supported by regulations including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. This right encompasses not only the ability to view their medical records but also to request amendments to their records if they believe there is incorrect or incomplete information. This process is an essential part of patient empowerment and collaborative care, allowing individuals to engage actively in their healthcare. While patients can request changes or amendments to their records, the healthcare provider or facility has the authority to determine whether to make those changes based on established criteria. Therefore, the notion that patients can simply make changes on their own is not accurate, but the right to request changes is fundamental. This understanding aligns with the idea that they should have control over their own health information. As such, the statement that a patient has the right to make changes to their medical chart, along with the right to view it, is affirmed as true, within the context of making requests rather than direct alterations.