Resident Rights
What candidates must know
Resident rights come from federal law (OBRA), Illinois' Nursing Home Care Act, and facility policy. Core rights include dignity, privacy, confidentiality, freedom of choice, self-determination, the right to refuse treatment, the right to be informed and to give or withhold consent, freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, freedom from unnecessary physical or chemical restraints, access to visitors and clergy, private phone calls and uncensored mail, management of personal funds, participation in activities, grievance without retaliation, and choice of physician.
Restraints are a rights issue. They require a physician order, a documented medical reason, the least restrictive option, scheduled release and repositioning at least every two hours, and ongoing monitoring. A CNA never applies a restraint without an order.
Abuse and neglect are mandatory reporting. Tell the charge nurse immediately and know that Illinois also maintains a statewide elder abuse hotline through the Department on Aging. Suspected abuse is reported even without proof.
Traps in questions
- Opening or reading a resident's mail, or answering questions about a roommate.
- Sharing health information with a caller or family member who is not authorized.
- Believing a resident who refuses a bath must be persuaded or forced. Refusal is a right; document and report.
- Treating a bed rail or a lap belt as a convenience rather than a restraint.
- Retaliating or acting annoyed after a grievance.
Worked rule
Knock, announce yourself, and wait for permission before entering. If a resident refuses care, accept the refusal, offer again later, tell the nurse, and document. The rule of thumb: when care and rights conflict, the resident's informed choice wins, and your job is to educate and report.