CNA Resident's Rights 1 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident requests to see their medical records. The CNA should:
- Tell the resident that records are confidential and inaccessible to them
- Inform the charge nurse of the request so proper channels can be followed (Correct answer)
- Bring the complete chart to the resident immediately
- Tell the resident to ask their family to request the records
Correct answer: Inform the charge nurse of the request so proper channels can be followed
Residents have a legal right to access their medical records, and the CNA should inform the charge nurse to ensure the request is processed correctly.
HIPAA and residents' rights regulations guarantee residents the right to access their own medical records. While this is an absolute right, the process must go through appropriate channels typically the medical records department or administrator. The CNA should inform the charge nurse who will ensure the request is handled per facility policy. Denying the request or routing it only through family violates the resident's rights.
Question 2: Residents have the right to receive and send personal mail. This means the CNA must:
- Open and review mail before delivery to check for inappropriate content
- Deliver mail unopened and provide assistance with mail if requested (Correct answer)
- Hold mail until family is present to help the resident read it
- Restrict mail from unknown senders for the resident's protection
Correct answer: Deliver mail unopened and provide assistance with mail if requested
Residents have the right to send and receive personal mail without it being opened or censored by staff.
The right to personal mail includes receiving mail promptly and unopened unless the resident requests assistance, sending mail privately, and not having mail withheld or censored. Staff may not open a resident's mail without explicit permission from the resident. If a resident needs assistance reading or writing letters, the CNA can help at the resident's request.
Question 3: A resident's right to choose activities includes the right to:
- Participate only in activities approved by the care team
- Refuse to participate in any activity without providing a reason (Correct answer)
- Only choose from activities provided by the activities department
- Participate in activities based on cognitive capacity assessment only
Correct answer: Refuse to participate in any activity without providing a reason
Residents may refuse to participate in any activity at any time without justification — participation is voluntary.
Residents have the right to choose whether and how to spend their leisure time. Participation in scheduled activities is entirely voluntary and residents may decline any activity at any time without providing a reason. They also have the right to engage in activities of their own choosing including religious practice, hobbies, socializing, or solitude. CNAs should never pressure residents to participate in activities.
Question 4: A resident tells the CNA that a staff member took money from her purse. The CNA must:
- Ask the resident if she might have misplaced the money before reporting
- Report the allegation immediately to the charge nurse or supervisor (Correct answer)
- Investigate by asking other staff members before involving management
- Wait to report until the resident provides more evidence
Correct answer: Report the allegation immediately to the charge nurse or supervisor
Financial abuse allegations must be reported immediately to a supervisor — investigation is not the CNA's role, and reporting cannot be delayed.
Financial exploitation including theft from residents is a serious crime and form of elder abuse that must be reported immediately to the supervisor or administrator. CNAs must not investigate the allegation themselves or question other staff. The CNA's responsibility is to listen to the resident, take the allegation seriously, and report immediately. Administrators and investigators will conduct the formal investigation.
Question 5: The right to visitation means residents can receive visits from:
- Only immediate family members during designated hours
- The individuals they choose, at reasonable times (Correct answer)
- Visitors only during business hours on weekdays
- Family members who have been approved by the facility administration
Correct answer: The individuals they choose, at reasonable times
Residents have the right to receive visits from individuals of their choosing at reasonable times, not limited to family or specific hours.
Residents have the right to receive visits from family, friends, legal representatives, clergy, ombudsmen, and others of their choosing at reasonable times. Facilities may have general visiting hours but must allow visits for compassionate care situations and legal representatives. The resident — not the facility or family — controls who may visit. Residents may also refuse visits from anyone including family members.
Question 6: When a resident files a grievance about care, the CNA should:
- Tell the resident that complaints must be directed to family first
- Acknowledge the concern and inform the resident of the grievance process (Correct answer)
- Become defensive and explain why the care provided was appropriate
- Discourage the grievance to prevent negative impact on the care team
Correct answer: Acknowledge the concern and inform the resident of the grievance process
Residents have the right to file grievances without interference — the CNA should acknowledge concerns and explain the grievance process.
The right to file grievances without fear of retaliation or interference is a protected resident right. When a resident has a complaint, the CNA should listen without becoming defensive, acknowledge that the concern has been heard, explain the facility's grievance process including how to contact the ombudsman, and report the concern to the charge nurse. CNAs must never discourage or dismiss residents who exercise their grievance rights.
CNA Resident's Rights 1 3
A resident requests to see their medical records.
The CNA should: