How should you respond to a resident who refuses care?

• A. Respect the decision, provide information, document the refusal, and notify the nurse; explore reasons and alternatives.
• B. Ignore the refusal and continue with care.
• C. Force the resident to accept care immediately.
• D. Leave the room and return later without documentation.

Answer: (A)

When a resident refuses care, the priority is to honor their right to make their own decisions while still keeping them safe. Start by acknowledging and respecting the choice, then provide clear, simple information about what the care involves, including potential benefits and risks, and any alternatives that might still meet their needs. If they still refuse, document the refusal thoroughly—note the date and time, what information you gave, and the resident’s stated reason—and inform the supervising nurse or clinician per policy. It’s important to explore the reasons for the refusal with a calm, nonjudgmental conversation and to offer reasonable alternatives or a plan to revisit the decision later. Also verify that the resident has decision-making capacity; if there are concerns about cognitive ability or safety, involve the nurse to assess and determine the next steps. Do not override the choice, and do not continue without documentation and team notification.