Senior Care Legal and Ethical Issues

Question 1

Which federal law enacted in 1987 establishes rights for residents in US nursing homes?

Accepted Answer

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA 1987)

Answer

OBRA 1987 established a comprehensive set of resident rights and quality-of-care standards for US nursing facilities.

Question 2

Under HIPAA, when can a caregiver share a resident's medical information with a family member?

Accepted Answer

Only when the resident has given consent or the family member is the legal health care decision-maker

Answer

HIPAA protects resident privacy; information can only be shared with consent or with the legally authorized decision-maker.

Question 3

What is informed consent in the context of senior care?

Accepted Answer

A process where the resident receives understandable information about a procedure and voluntarily agrees to it

Answer

Informed consent requires that the resident understands the proposed treatment, risks, alternatives, and gives voluntary agreement.

Question 4

A resident tells a caregiver that their family member is taking their personal money. What should the caregiver do?

Accepted Answer

Report the disclosure immediately to the charge nurse and document it as a potential financial abuse case

Answer

Financial exploitation is a form of elder abuse and must be reported to the nurse and appropriate authorities through proper channels.

Question 5

What does an Advance Directive document allow a person to do?

Accepted Answer

State their wishes for medical treatment if they become unable to make decisions themselves

Answer

Advance directives allow individuals to document their health care preferences and designate a decision-maker before they lose capacity.

Senior Care Practice Test