CSA Resident Rights & Advocacy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is considered a restraint under federal nursing home regulations?
- Side rails raised on both sides of the bed without therapeutic justification (Correct answer)
- A lap tray used specifically for eating meals
- A wheelchair with a standard footrest
- Call light placed within easy reach
Correct answer: Side rails raised on both sides of the bed without therapeutic justification
Bilateral full side rails can prevent a resident from voluntarily leaving bed and are classified as a physical restraint.
Question 2: When must a facility notify a resident or their legal representative of a room or roommate change?
- Immediately after the change occurs
- At least 30 days before, except in emergencies (Correct answer)
- Within 24 hours after the decision is made
- Only if the change is permanent
Correct answer: At least 30 days before, except in emergencies
Federal regulations require at least 30-day advance notice of room or roommate changes unless an emergency exception applies.
Question 3: A resident's family removes personal belongings from the room without the resident's permission. The aide should:
- Allow it since family have authority over possessions
- Report the situation to the charge nurse as potential financial exploitation (Correct answer)
- Help the family pack since they are the listed next of kin
- Remind the resident they should not have so many belongings
Correct answer: Report the situation to the charge nurse as potential financial exploitation
Removing a resident's property without consent may constitute financial exploitation and must be reported to a supervisor.
Question 4: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a nursing facility must provide:
- Free private rooms for all residents
- Reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access for residents with disabilities (Correct answer)
- Interpreters for every language spoken by residents
- Daily physician visits for all residents
Correct answer: Reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access for residents with disabilities
The ADA requires facilities to make reasonable accommodations so residents with disabilities can access services and activities equally.
Question 5: A resident with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order stops breathing. The correct staff action is:
- Begin CPR while waiting for a physician to confirm the DNR
- Follow the DNR order, provide comfort measures, and notify the charge nurse (Correct answer)
- Call 911 immediately regardless of the DNR
- Ask family members present whether to perform CPR
Correct answer: Follow the DNR order, provide comfort measures, and notify the charge nurse
A valid DNR order must be honored; staff provide comfort care and notify the nurse rather than initiating resuscitation.
Question 6: Which scenario best illustrates the concept of 'dignity of risk'?
- Staff preventing a resident from walking independently to eliminate fall risk
- Allowing a resident to choose to eat in their room despite isolation concerns (Correct answer)
- Administering a sedative to prevent a resident from wandering
- Restricting a diabetic resident from all desserts without their input
Correct answer: Allowing a resident to choose to eat in their room despite isolation concerns
Dignity of risk means allowing residents to make choices that carry some risk rather than removing autonomy in the name of safety.
Question 7: A resident confides that another staff member has been making demeaning comments about their appearance. This is an example of:
- Acceptable informal communication
- Verbal/emotional abuse, which must be reported immediately (Correct answer)
- Normal workplace stress the resident should overlook
- A misunderstanding that should be resolved privately
Correct answer: Verbal/emotional abuse, which must be reported immediately
Demeaning or humiliating comments directed at a resident constitute verbal/emotional abuse and are mandatory report situations.
CSA Resident Rights & Advocacy 3
Which of the following is considered a restraint under federal nursing home regulations?