When you work on the front lines of health care, you should never abuse a patient or nursing home resident physically, emotionally, verbally or sexually.
You need to watch for and report any signs of abuse or neglect. Report abuse or suspected abuse to the charge nurse.
Nursing Assistant Skill Scenario: Legal and Ethical Issues – Patient’s and Resident’s Rights
Here’s the scenario that was given to us by our nursing assistant online class teacher. . .
Your close friend Jean works at the same nursing home you do. Today you overhear Jean speaking to her resident, Mrs. Holmes about getting dressed.
Mrs. Holmes says she wants to wear her blue outfit today. Jean tells her she has chosen the pink outfit and she will dress her in that, not the blue one.
Mrs. Holmes begins to cry and Jean tells her, “Stop crying! If you don’t stop crying, I’ll leave you here and you won’t get to go for breakfast!”
You realize that Jean’s behavior is not appropriate, but you do not want to report Jean, because you know she will be angry with you, and you value her friendship.
- What specific resident rights of Mrs. Holmes’s have been violated?
- Has Jean violated any civil or criminal laws?
- What is your responsibility after hearing the interaction between Jean and Mrs. Holmes?
- Will you break any laws by failing to report what you heard?
Response and Discussion
Here are my responses to the scenario. . .
What specific resident rights of Mrs. Holmes’s have been violated?
Mrs. Holmes’ right to make independent choices has been violated.
Has Jean violated any civil or criminal laws?
Jean has violated civil laws. Civil laws are concerned with relationships between people.
What is your responsibility after hearing the interaction between Jean and Mrs. Holmes?
My responsibility is to report to the nurse on the interaction between Jean and Mrs. Holmes.
Will you break any laws by failing to report what you heard?
Yes. Health care workers are required by law to report any abuse to the residents. Nursing assistants must never abuse residents in any way. Reporting abuse or suspected abuse is not an option—it is the law.
