CNA Resident's Rights 4

Question 1

A resident who has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment tells the CNA that she no longer wants her daughter to receive updates about her care. The daughter holds a general power of attorney. What is the CNA's most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the resident's request to the charge nurse immediately so it can be evaluated and documented

Answer

A general power of attorney does not automatically override a competent resident's right to control their own health information — that requires a healthcare or durable power of attorney AND a determination that the resident lacks decision-making capacity. Because the resident has only mild cognitive impairment and may still be legally competent, the CNA must escalate to the charge nurse immediately so the care team and facility administration can assess capacity and update the care plan. The CNA should never unilaterally change information-sharing practices or document such a policy decision independently.

Question 2

A resident requests that a CNA of the opposite gender not assist with his personal care. The facility is short-staffed and no same-gender CNA is immediately available. Which response best upholds the resident's rights?

Accepted Answer

Notify the charge nurse so alternative arrangements can be made before providing care

Answer

Residents have the right to refuse care from specific staff members, including on the basis of gender, and this right does not disappear because of staffing shortages. The CNA must notify the charge nurse, who can explore options such as rescheduling care, calling in additional staff, or arranging coverage from another unit. Proceeding without consent violates the resident's rights and potentially constitutes battery. There is no legal mechanism for a 'temporary waiver' that strips a resident of their rights.

Question 3

During a routine room check, a CNA notices that a roommate has moved a resident's personal photographs without permission to make space on the shared dresser. The resident is currently in therapy. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Return the photographs to their original location and notify the charge nurse of the incident

Answer

Residents have the right to keep and use personal possessions in their space as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others. Moving another resident's belongings without consent is a violation of that right. The CNA should restore the photographs immediately to protect the affected resident's rights and then notify the charge nurse, who can address the room-sharing conflict formally, potentially updating care plans or room assignments. Waiting for a complaint or doing nothing is a failure to advocate.

Question 4

A competent resident tells the CNA she has decided to refuse her scheduled insulin injection. The resident's blood glucose was 320 mg/dL this morning. What must the CNA do?

Accepted Answer

Withhold the insulin, document the refusal, and immediately notify the nurse

Answer

A competent adult resident has the absolute right to refuse any treatment, including medications, even when refusal poses serious health risks. The CNA must never administer a treatment against a competent resident's will — doing so is battery. The correct response is to honor the refusal, withhold the insulin, immediately notify the nurse (who will document, assess the situation, and may counsel the resident), and record the refusal per facility policy. Family consent is irrelevant when the resident is competent, and CNAs cannot administer injections at all.

Question 5

A resident's adult son visits and asks the CNA to read him the entries in his mother's medical chart so he can 'stay informed.' The son says he visits every week and the nursing staff 'always tells him everything.' The resident is currently asleep. What should the CNA do?

Accepted Answer

Refer the son to the charge nurse and do not share any information from the chart

Answer

Medical records are protected by HIPAA and by the resident's right to privacy and confidentiality. A family member's frequency of visits or claims about past information sharing do not constitute legal authorization for a CNA to disclose chart contents. CNAs should never read medical records to unauthorized individuals. The correct action is to refer the son to the charge nurse, who can verify whether a valid HIPAA authorization or healthcare proxy designation exists. Waking a sleeping resident is appropriate in some scenarios, but chart disclosure requires verified written authorization — not just verbal permission obtained at the bedside.

CNA Practice Test

CNA Practice Test

CNA Resident's Rights 4