Healthcare Aide Ethical & Legal Responsibilities Flashcards

A resident's power of attorney (POA) for healthcare asks you to stop a procedure the resident previously agreed to. You should:

Answer: Stop and consult the nurse or charge staff right away

Conflicting directions between a resident and their POA require immediate escalation to nursing or supervisory staff to determine the legally appropriate course of action.

What does the ethical principle of 'nonmaleficence' require of a healthcare aide?

Answer: Avoiding actions that cause unnecessary harm or risk to the patient

Nonmaleficence — 'first, do no harm' — obligates healthcare workers to avoid causing unnecessary harm through actions, negligence, or carelessness.

A resident with dementia becomes agitated and tries to leave the facility. The healthcare aide should:

Answer: Use the facility's approved redirection and safety protocols

Approved redirection and safety protocols balance resident safety with dignity and legal requirements for the care of cognitively impaired individuals.

Which of the following is an example of patient advocacy by a healthcare aide?

Answer: Reporting a resident's unmet care needs to the charge nurse

Advocacy means speaking up for the resident's needs and rights; reporting unmet needs to appropriate staff is a direct act of advocacy.

A healthcare aide overhears two colleagues joking about a resident's medical condition in the hallway. This is:

Answer: A HIPAA violation and breach of professional ethics

Discussing a resident's medical details in non-private settings violates HIPAA and breaches the professional duty to maintain patient dignity and confidentiality.

What is 'negligence' in the context of healthcare aide responsibilities?

Answer: Failing to provide the standard of care expected, resulting in harm

Negligence is the failure to meet the expected standard of care that a competent aide would provide, causing harm to the resident.

If a resident tells a healthcare aide they are being abused by a family member, the aide should:

Answer: Report the disclosure to the supervisor and document it accurately

Mandatory reporting laws require healthcare aides to report all disclosures of abuse to a supervisor, regardless of who the alleged abuser is.