Client Rights and Ethics 2 Flashcards

A caregiver is providing care to a client who speaks limited English. The client's adult son offers to interpret a conversation about the client's care plan. What is the MOST appropriate action for the caregiver to take?

Answer: Request a professional or certified interpreter to ensure accurate and confidential communication

Using a family member as an interpreter can compromise client confidentiality and accuracy. A professional interpreter ensures the client fully understands and can meaningfully participate in decisions about their own care, protecting both their rights and safety.

A client with dementia becomes agitated and repeatedly asks to go home, even though they are already in their own residence. A caregiver responds by saying, 'If you don't calm down, I'll have to call your daughter and tell her you're being difficult.' Which ethical principle does this statement MOST clearly violate?

Answer: Non-maleficence, by causing emotional harm through a threat

Threatening a vulnerable client is a form of emotional or psychological abuse. Non-maleficence means 'do no harm' — using a threat to control a client's behavior causes emotional harm and violates this foundational ethical principle.

A client tells their caregiver, 'I do not want any information about my condition shared with my sister, even if she calls.' The client's sister calls the agency the next day requesting an update. What should the caregiver do?

Answer: Inform the sister that the client has asked that their information not be shared

Clients have the right to control who receives their health information. The caregiver must honor the client's explicit instruction and inform the sister that information cannot be shared, without disclosing any clinical details.

During a home visit, a caregiver discovers that a client has been forgoing meals to afford their prescription medications. The client asks the caregiver to keep this private. What is the caregiver's BEST course of action?

Answer: Document the observation and report it to the supervising nurse or case manager as a safety concern

A client skipping meals is a safety and nutritional risk that falls within the caregiver's mandatory reporting responsibilities. While privacy is important, the caregiver must report observations affecting the client's health and safety to their supervisor, who can connect the client with appropriate resources.

A client who is cognitively intact tells a caregiver they want to stop taking a prescribed blood pressure medication. The caregiver believes this is a mistake. Which response BEST respects the client's rights while fulfilling the caregiver's professional duty?

Answer: Acknowledge the client's decision, document it, and promptly inform the supervising nurse

Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment, including medications. The caregiver must respect this autonomy, but also has a professional duty to document and report the refusal to the supervising nurse so the care team can follow up appropriately.

A caregiver is assigned to a new client and recognizes them as a neighbor. The caregiver runs into a mutual friend at the grocery store, who asks, 'I heard you're taking care of Mrs. Lopez — how is she doing?' What is the MOST appropriate response?

Answer: Explain that due to client confidentiality, you cannot confirm or discuss any client information

Confidentiality protects all client information, including the fact that a person is receiving care. Even when a third party already suspects or knows about the arrangement, the caregiver must not confirm the assignment or share any details about the client.