NCLEX-RN® Question of the Day: Health-related misinformation

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Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on role of nurses in combating health misinformation. Do you know the answer? Let’s find out!

The nurse in a women’s clinic is caring for a patient with severe menopausal symptoms who would likely benefit from hormone replacement therapy, but refuses treatment due to misinformation found online.

The nurse understands that health-related misinformation and disinformation can affect patient care in which way?

A. Increased patient autonomy through independent decision-making

B. Delays in receiving evidence-based treatment resulting in worsening symptoms

C.  Improved patient-provider trust through shared online resources

D. Reduced healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary interventions

Scroll down for the correct answer!

The correct answer to today’s NCLEX® Question is…

B. Delays in receiving evidence-based treatment resulting in worsening symptoms

Rationale: Health-related misinformation and disinformation can cause patients to refuse or delay appropriate, evidence-based care, which can lead to worsening symptoms, preventable complications, and poorer health outcomes, as seen in this patient declining effective hormone replacement therapy.

Main Takeaway

Both misinformation and disinformation can impact patient well-being and safety while undermining trust in clinicians such as nurses, pharmacists, and physicians. When inaccurate health information leads to uninformed patient decision-making, improper treatment, delays in care, or avoidance of necessary medical interventions, patient well-being and safety are at risk. For example, misinformation falsely linking vaccines to autism can contribute to vaccine hesitancy, leading to lower vaccination rates and higher susceptibility to preventable diseases. Similarly, misinformation or disinformation promoting unapproved dietary supplements as alternatives to evidence-based treatments can encourage reliance on the use of quick fixes, ineffective therapies, and avoidance of appropriate medical treatments. This can cause delays in seeking medical advice, reliance on unregulated products, and harmful side effects.

Misinformation and disinformation can also undermine trust in clinicians by distorting perceptions, obstructing clear communication, and straining the clinician-patient relationship. Patients exposed to inaccurate health information may arrive at medical appointments with incorrect beliefs about diagnoses, treatments, and overall care. This can lead to unrealistic expectations, resistance to evidence-based care, and healthcare decisions that negatively impact their health.

Incorrect Answer Explanations

A. Increased patient autonomy through independent decision-making

Rationale: Although patients may feel autonomous, decisions based on false or misleading information undermine informed decision-making and can place patients at risk.

C.  Improved patient-provider trust through shared online resources

Rationale: Reliance on misinformation or disinformation can weaken trust in healthcare providers as patients may place greater confidence in unreliable sources than in evidence-based professional guidance.

D. Reduced healthcare costs by avoiding unnecessary interventions

Rationale: Delaying appropriate care often increases long-term healthcare costs because disease progression may require more intense treatment, emergency care, or management of preventable complications.