CNA Resident Rights and Communication 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident with dementia becomes agitated when a CNA tries to assist with morning care. Which response best respects the resident's rights?
- Restrain the resident so care can be completed quickly
- Stop, allow the resident to calm down, and try a different approach later (Correct answer)
- Complete the care quickly while the resident is distracted
- Call in three other staff to hold the resident still
Correct answer: Stop, allow the resident to calm down, and try a different approach later
Even residents with dementia retain rights; pausing and trying a new approach respects dignity and reduces trauma.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of respecting a resident's right to self-determination?
- Deciding what the resident will wear to match the facility's schedule
- Allowing the resident to choose their own meal times when possible (Correct answer)
- Waking the resident at 6 AM regardless of their preferences
- Assigning roommates without asking the resident's input
Correct answer: Allowing the resident to choose their own meal times when possible
Self-determination means residents make choices about their daily life, including scheduling when feasible.
Question 3: A CNA overhears a coworker making fun of a resident's appearance in the hallway. The CNA should:
- Join in since it was not said directly to the resident
- Ignore it since the resident probably did not hear
- Report the behavior to the charge nurse as potential verbal abuse (Correct answer)
- Confront the coworker loudly in front of other residents
Correct answer: Report the behavior to the charge nurse as potential verbal abuse
Mocking a resident's appearance is verbal/emotional abuse and must be reported to protect the resident's dignity.
Question 4: A resident asks the CNA to read their mail aloud because they cannot see well. The CNA should:
- Refuse because opening mail is a privacy violation
- Ask the charge nurse for permission before reading any mail
- Read the mail to the resident as requested, respecting their wishes (Correct answer)
- Contact the family to read the mail to the resident instead
Correct answer: Read the mail to the resident as requested, respecting their wishes
When a resident requests assistance with mail, providing that help respects their right to communicate and receive information.
Question 5: A resident tells the CNA they are unhappy with their roommate. What should the CNA do?
- Tell the resident to work it out themselves
- Listen actively, acknowledge the concern, and report it to the nurse (Correct answer)
- Move the resident's belongings to another room immediately
- Tell the roommate about the complaint
Correct answer: Listen actively, acknowledge the concern, and report it to the nurse
The CNA's role is to listen, validate the resident's concern, and report it so appropriate staff can address it.
Question 6: Under federal regulations, residents in long-term care facilities have the right to:
- Choose their own physician (Correct answer)
- Select only from meals pre-approved by the facility
- Receive visitors only during scheduled hours
- Share financial information with all staff members
Correct answer: Choose their own physician
Federal law grants residents the right to choose their own attending physician and to be informed about their medical care.
Question 7: A resident has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. The resident stops breathing. The CNA should:
- Begin CPR immediately while calling for help
- Call for the nurse immediately and follow the facility's DNR protocol (Correct answer)
- Wait 5 minutes before summoning help to be sure the resident is not breathing
- Ask a family member present what they want done
Correct answer: Call for the nurse immediately and follow the facility's DNR protocol
CNAs must honor the legal DNR order by immediately notifying the nurse and not initiating CPR.
CNA Resident Rights and Communication 3
A resident with dementia becomes agitated when a CNA tries to assist with morning care.
Which response best respects the resident's rights?