Which statement best reflects the CNA's role in ensuring residents' decision-making rights?

Which statement best reflects the CNA's role in ensuring residents' decision-making rights?

• A. Only the physician is responsible for decisions.
• B. CNA supports residents' autonomy by facilitating understanding, communication, and reporting concerns.
• C. CNA should not involve residents in care planning.
• D. CNA should override resident preferences for safety.

Answer: (B)

Residents have the right to participate in decisions about their own care, and the CNA’s role is to support that participation. This means explaining options in plain language so the resident can understand, checking that they truly grasp what choices involve, and encouraging them to express their preferences, values, and goals. The CNA communicates those preferences clearly to the rest of the care team, helping to translate the resident’s wishes into the plan of care. They also watch for any changes in the resident’s ability to participate and report concerns to licensed staff so decisions remain aligned with the resident’s wishes and safety. Importantly, the CNA should not override the resident’s choices or exclude them from planning; if safety or capacity questions arise, the CNA escalates appropriately to obtain the right support. Choices that limit involvement to the physician, deny resident participation, or require overriding preferences don’t honor the resident’s decision-making rights.

Residents have the right to participate in decisions about their own care, and the CNA’s role is to support that participation. This means explaining options in plain language so the resident can understand, checking that they truly grasp what choices involve, and encouraging them to express their preferences, values, and goals. The CNA communicates those preferences clearly to the rest of the care team, helping to translate the resident’s wishes into the plan of care. They also watch for any changes in the resident’s ability to participate and report concerns to licensed staff so decisions remain aligned with the resident’s wishes and safety. Importantly, the CNA should not override the resident’s choices or exclude them from planning; if safety or capacity questions arise, the CNA escalates appropriately to obtain the right support. Choices that limit involvement to the physician, deny resident participation, or require overriding preferences don’t honor the resident’s decision-making rights.