Samantha works as a medical records supervisor in a small-town medical clinic. One afternoon, she saw one of her high school friends in the hallway of the clinic. The friend told Samantha that she was pregnant. A week later, Samantha saw her friend's mother in the local grocery store and congratulated her on becoming a grandmother. What Samantha did not know was that her friend was not planning to continue the pregnancy and had told no one that she was pregnant.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the ethical issue being violated by Samantha?
2. In your opinion is it ever ethical for a health care practitioner to discuss or address information or conversations that occurred in the health care office?
3. Is there a legal issue here?
4. End your response by including your own question to the class.