STNA - State Tested Nursing Assistant Resident Rights and Safety Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident with dementia frequently tries to get out of bed without assistance, despite being a high fall risk. Which of the following actions by the STNA is the most appropriate initial response?
- Ensure the resident's call light is within reach and the bed is in the lowest position. (Correct answer)
- Apply soft wrist restraints to prevent the resident from getting up.
- Ask the physician for an order for a sedative to keep the resident calm.
- Inform the resident that they will be secluded in their room if they don't stay in bed.
Correct answer: Ensure the resident's call light is within reach and the bed is in the lowest position.
The most appropriate and least restrictive initial action is to use safety measures like lowering the bed and ensuring the call light is accessible. This respects the resident's freedom of movement while prioritizing safety. Restraints, chemical or physical, should only be used as a last resort when all other alternatives have failed and with a physician's order.
Question 2: An STNA is assisting a resident with bathing. The resident's family member, who is visiting, asks the STNA for the resident's recent blood pressure readings. How should the STNA respond?
- Politely state that they cannot share that information and direct the family member to the charge nurse. (Correct answer)
- Provide the blood pressure readings since it is a direct family member asking.
- Leave the resident's medical chart at the bedside for the family to review.
- Ask the resident in front of the family member if it's okay to share the information.
Correct answer: Politely state that they cannot share that information and direct the family member to the charge nurse.
Under HIPAA, an STNA cannot share a resident's protected health information (PHI) without the resident's consent. The proper response is to protect the resident's privacy and refer the family member to the licensed nurse who can follow the facility's protocol for releasing information.
Question 3: Which of the following is a resident's right under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987?
- To choose their own roommate, regardless of availability.
- To have the facility manage all their personal finances.
- To be free from physical and chemical restraints imposed for discipline or convenience. (Correct answer)
- To receive care only from physicians employed by the facility.
Correct answer: To be free from physical and chemical restraints imposed for discipline or convenience.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987 established a set of regulations to protect the rights of residents in long-term care facilities, including the right to be free from unnecessary physical or chemical restraints.
Question 4: An STNA observes a coworker yelling at and insulting a resident who is confused. This action constitutes which type of abuse?
- Physical abuse
- Financial abuse
- Involuntary seclusion
- Psychological (emotional) abuse (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Psychological (emotional) abuse
Yelling, insulting, threatening, or intimidating a resident are all forms of psychological or emotional abuse. It causes emotional pain and distress.
Question 5: A resident has an advance directive, specifically a living will. The STNA understands that this document primarily serves to:
- Appoint a person to make financial decisions for the resident.
- Specify the resident's wishes regarding medical treatment if they become unable to communicate. (Correct answer)
- List all the resident's medications and allergies.
- Give the STNA permission to perform tasks outside their scope of practice.
Correct answer: Specify the resident's wishes regarding medical treatment if they become unable to communicate.
A living will is an advance directive that outlines a person's wishes for medical treatment in the event they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves. The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) requires facilities to inform residents of their right to create advance directives.
Question 6: During morning care, a resident tells the STNA, "I don't want to take a bath today." Which of the following is the STNA's best response?
- Tell the resident they have to bathe to stay clean and prevent infection.
- Respect the resident's decision and document the refusal. (Correct answer)
- Offer to come back later to see if the resident has changed their mind.
- Inform the resident that their doctor has ordered a daily bath.
Correct answer: Respect the resident's decision and document the refusal.
Residents have the right to refuse care and make choices about their daily lives. The STNA must respect this right. The refusal should be documented according to facility policy, and the nurse should be informed. While offering to come back later is also a good approach, the primary action is to respect the initial refusal.
STNA - State Tested Nursing Assistant Resident Rights and Safety Questions and Answers
A resident with dementia frequently tries to get out of bed without assistance, despite being a high fall risk.
Which of the following actions by the STNA is the most appropriate initial response?