What should you do if a resident refuses care?

• A. Respect the decision, document refusal, offer alternatives or times to revisit, and inform the nurse.
• B. Force care to protect health
• C. Ignore the refusal and proceed
• D. Tell the family only

Answer: (A)

Respecting a resident’s right to refuse care while keeping safety at the forefront is the key idea. When a resident declines care, the best approach is to acknowledge their decision, document the refusal with date and time and a brief reason, and inform the supervising nurse. You should also offer acceptable alternatives or a different time to revisit the care, and provide any needed information about potential consequences so the resident can make an informed choice. This approach honors autonomy, preserves trust, and allows the care team to reassess or adjust the plan as needed. Forcing care, ignoring the refusal, or sharing the decision only with family can violate the resident’s rights and safety. If there’s any concern about the resident’s decision-making capacity, assess and follow facility policy for escalation.