What should a nurse do if a patient's girlfriend inquires about his surgery time and condition?

When a patient's girlfriend inquires about his surgery time and condition, the appropriate response is to prioritize patient privacy and confidentiality. According to healthcare regulations, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), healthcare providers must protect a patient's personal health information and cannot share it without the patient's explicit consent.

This means that, even if the girlfriend is a significant other, she does not automatically have the right to access the patient's medical information. The nurse must adhere to these legal and ethical standards to ensure the privacy of the patient, which is paramount in healthcare settings.

The other choices do not align with the principles of patient confidentiality. Providing detailed information would violate privacy rights, while simply informing her about HIPAA policies does not address her request appropriately. Suggesting that she come to the hospital may not be suitable if the patient has not given consent for information to be shared, either. Therefore, the most responsible action is to refrain from disclosing any information without the patient's consent.