Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) — Question 161

The most widely discussed and debated unique patient identifier is the

Answer options

• A. patient’s date of birth.
• B. patient’s first and last names.
• C. patient’s Social Security number.
• D. Unique Physician Identification Number (UPIN).

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is C, as the Social Security number is often considered a unique identifier that raises significant privacy and security concerns. Options A and B are not unique identifiers as they can be shared by multiple individuals, while D refers to a physician identifier, not a patient identifier.