What is a potential risk associated with social media use by nurses?

The chosen answer highlights a significant concern regarding social media use by healthcare professionals, including nurses. Patient confidentiality is a cornerstone of healthcare ethics and law, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Nurses are privy to sensitive health information that must be kept private to protect patient rights and maintain trust in the healthcare system.

Social media platforms may inadvertently expose this confidential information. For instance, a nurse might post about a patient or share details that could identify the patient, even if no names are used. This breaches confidentiality and may lead to severe consequences for both the nurse and the healthcare institution, including disciplinary actions, legal implications, and damage to the nurse's professional reputation.

While the other options may seem relevant in their contexts, they do not represent risks associated with social media use in the same critical way. Connecting with patients personally or enhancing teamwork can be positive aspects of social media, while reducing documentation time does not pertain to risks but rather to operational efficiency. Therefore, compromising patient confidentiality stands out as a major risk that nurses must navigate carefully in the age of social media.