CNA Legal & Ethical Behaviours 3

Question 1

Forgetting to raise the side rails as ordered causes a resident to fall and be injured. This could be called

Accepted Answer

neglect to keep the resident safe.

Answer

Neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to provide the necessary care, supervision, or services to maintain a resident's physical and mental health and safety. Forgetting to raise side rails as ordered is a direct failure to follow a safety protocol, which led to injury, thus constituting neglect. This action demonstrates a breach of the caregiver's duty to ensure the resident's well-being.

Question 2

After your elderly neighbor falls, he is admitted to your unit. Another neighbor asks you how he's doing. Your best response is

Accepted Answer

"I know this is awkward, since we both know him. But now that he's a patient, I can't discuss him."

Answer

This response upholds patient confidentiality, which is a legal and ethical obligation under HIPAA. As a healthcare professional, a CNA cannot disclose a patient's protected health information (PHI) to unauthorized individuals, even if they know the patient personally. Acknowledging the awkwardness while firmly stating the professional boundary is the most appropriate and respectful way to handle the situation.

Question 3

If the nurse aide is concerned about client care, who should the nurse aide speak to FIRST?

Accepted Answer

The nurse in charge

Answer

The nurse in charge is the immediate supervisor for nurse aides and is responsible for overseeing client care on the unit. They are the first point of contact for concerns, as they have the authority and knowledge to address issues, make decisions, or escalate them appropriately within the chain of command. This ensures timely intervention and proper resolution of care concerns.

Question 4

While at work, you receive a call from someone who says he is a client's nephew. He asks about his uncle's condition. However, he is not on the client's list of approved people who can have access to his condition. What should you say?

Accepted Answer

"Can I please have your contact information? I'll have someone get back to you."

Answer

This response protects patient confidentiality by neither confirming nor denying the patient's presence or condition, while also providing a professional way to handle the inquiry. The CNA should not disclose any information to an unverified caller. By taking contact information, the CNA allows the nurse or appropriate staff member to verify the caller's identity and relationship to the patient, and then return the call if authorized.

Question 5

The nurse aide should refuse to perform a task if the

Accepted Answer

nurse aide has not been trained to do it.

Answer

Nurse aides are legally and ethically obligated to only perform tasks for which they have received proper training and are competent. Performing an untrained task could lead to harm for the resident and liability for the CNA and the facility. It is crucial for CNAs to understand their scope of practice and refuse tasks outside of it to ensure resident safety.

CNA Practice Test

CNA Practice Test

CNA Legal & Ethical Behaviours 3