What is the primary purpose of HIPAA?

• A. To protect patient privacy and security of health information
• B. To regulate hospital funding
• C. To standardize nursing curricula
• D. To control patient admission policies

Answer: (A)

HIPAA’s primary purpose is to safeguard patient privacy and the security of health information. It sets rules about who can see or use a patient’s health data and how that information must be protected in every form—electronic, paper, or spoken. The Privacy Rule restricts access to protected health information (PHI) and grants patients rights to control their data, while the Security Rule requires safeguards—administrative, physical, and technical—to prevent unauthorized access and breaches. This framework helps maintain trust in the patient-provider relationship by enabling care and coordination while limiting unnecessary exposure of sensitive information. It’s not about hospital funding, nursing education standards, or admission policies, which are governed by different laws and organizational policies.