Information given by a patient to medical personnel that cannot be disclosed without consent constitutes:

The correct answer emphasizes the nature of the relationship between the patient and the healthcare provider, specifically regarding the protection of patient information. Privileged communication refers to the legal principle that certain communications between a patient and a healthcare provider are confidential and cannot be disclosed to third parties without the patient's consent. This concept helps foster trust in the patient-provider relationship, encouraging patients to share sensitive information necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment without fear of that information being disclosed.

In contrast, while confidential information broadly covers any patient data that should be kept secret, the term privileged communication specifically highlights the legal protections that apply. Informed consent relates to the patient's agreement to undergo treatment after being fully informed of its risks and benefits, which is a different concept. Patient history is simply the record of a patient's medical background and does not pertain to the legal protections of communication. Thus, the choice of privileged communication accurately represents the nature of the confidentiality and legal protection afforded to communications made by the patient to their provider.