How should you identify a resident before starting care?

• A. Rely on room number to identify the resident.
• B. Check the name band/bracelet and verify with two identifiers (name and date of birth) per policy.
• C. Ask the resident to spell their name aloud.
• D. Identify using date of admission only.

Answer: (B)

The essential safety step is identifying the resident with two identifiers before starting any care. You should check the name band or bracelet and verify that the resident’s name and date of birth match what’s in the chart or electronic record, following facility policy. This two-identifier check helps prevent wrong-patient care and is the standard practice because it cross-checks the person you’re about to care for with official records.

Relying on a room number isn’t reliable because room assignments can change, and someone else might be in that room. Asking the resident to spell their name aloud isn’t dependable for all residents, especially if there are hearing, speech, or memory issues. Using the date of admission doesn’t uniquely identify the person for current care. So using the name band plus two identifiers is the correct, safer approach.