Which of the following statements represents an example of nonmaleficence?

Nonmaleficence is an ethical principle that emphasizes the obligation to not inflict harm intentionally. In the context of health information technology (HIT), the principle of nonmaleficence pertains to ensuring the protection of patient privacy and safeguarding sensitive information from exposure to unauthorized individuals.

The correct statement reflects this principle because it underscores the responsibility of HIT professionals to prevent the unintended harm that could arise from disclosing identifiable patient information to those who do not have the right to access it. This protects patient privacy and upholds the integrity of their health information, thereby reinforcing the ethical commitment to avoiding harm to individuals through mismanagement of their sensitive data.

The other options, while related to ethical practices and patient care, do not explicitly address the prevention of harm in the same way. They focus on aspects like fair application of rules, proper information sharing for patient care, and patient autonomy in authorizing access, but they do not directly encompass the principle of nonmaleficence as it pertains to the risk of harm through unauthorized disclosure of information.