What role does privacy play in resident empowerment for CNA?

• A. Sharing information with all staff regardless of need.
• B. Discussing resident information only with authorized staff and protecting confidentiality.
• C. Posting care plans on public boards.
• D. Ignoring requests to discuss care.

Answer: (B)

Privacy and confidentiality are essential for resident empowerment. When a resident’s personal health information is kept private and shared only with authorized staff who need to know, the resident trusts the care team and feels safe expressing preferences, concerns, and goals. This trust supports active participation in care planning and decision-making, promotes autonomy, and protects dignity.

Sharing information with all staff regardless of need can expose residents to unnecessary exposure, potential embarrassment, or harm, and it weakens trust. Posting care plans on public boards similarly breaches confidentiality and can lead to stigma or misuse of information. Ignoring requests to discuss care disregards the resident’s right to be involved in their own care. By limiting discussion to those who are authorized and by protecting confidentiality, the CNA helps empower the resident to take an active, informed role in their care.