Resident Rights, Ethics, and Abuse Prevention
Core concepts
Resident rights include dignity, privacy, choice, confidentiality, freedom from abuse and neglect, and the right to refuse care. Know the types of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and neglect. Mandatory reporting applies to suspected abuse, and you report to the nurse or administrator per policy. Know that residents have the right to access their records, to voice grievances without retaliation, and to manage their own finances unless a legal representative is appointed.
Ethical principles
Know autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Confidentiality means discussing care only with those who need to know. Never accept gifts that could influence care, and never discuss a resident in public areas.
Traps
Questions often test whether you report suspected abuse even without proof - you must report suspicion. Another trap is sharing information with family without consent or discussing a resident in the hallway. Also watch for answers that ignore a resident's refusal or that allow a resident to be treated disrespectfully.
Worked example
You notice bruising in a pattern on a resident's arm and the resident seems fearful. The correct action is to report the suspicion immediately per policy; the wrong action is to wait for proof. Rule of thumb: suspicion is enough to report - you do not need proof.