Module 2: Patient/Resident Rights

Statement of Purpose: The purpose of this unit is to introduce the Nurse Assistant to patient/resident rights. The fundamental principle behind patient/resident rights is that each patient/resident is a member of a family and of society as a whole. They must be cared for in a manner that protects their rights and meets the individual family, psychosocial and spiritual needs in a long-term care setting. These rights are protected by federal and state regulations.

Module 2 Study Tool: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/b16a643a-5ec2-4b93-831d-39d9e759c2ac

Performance Standards (Objectives): Define key terminology:

1. Abuse

2. Advance Directive

3. Aiding and abetting

4. Assault

5. Battery

6. Choice

7. Chronic

8. Coercion

9. Confidential

10. Defamation

11. Defamation of character

12. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)/ No Code

13. Ethical standard

14. False imprisonment

15. Financial abuse

16. Grievances

17. HIPAA

18. Informed consent

19. Involuntary seclusion

20. Laws

21. Legal standard

22. Libel

23. Mandated reporter

24. Neglect

25. Negligence

26. Ombudsman

27. Physical abuse

28. Policy and Procedure

29. Privacy

30. Psychological abuse

31. Resident council

32. Restraints

33. Scope of practice

34. Sexual abuse

35. Slander

36. Social services

37. Theft

38. Verbal abuse

Patient, resident, and client are synonymous terms referring to the person receiving care

CNA California Exam Vocabulary Sentences – Module 2: Patient/Resident Rights

Here are educational sentences for each vocabulary word to help adult English learners prepare for the CNA California Exam:

1. Abuse is any physical, emotional, or mental injury inflicted on a patient or resident, and all CNAs must report suspected abuse immediately.
2. An Advance Directive is a legal document that tells healthcare workers what medical treatments a person wants if they cannot speak for themselves.
3. Aiding and abetting means helping someone do something wrong or not reporting dishonest acts that you witness in the workplace.
4. Assault occurs when someone threatens or attempts to harm another person physically or mentally, even without touching them.
5. Battery happens when someone touches a patient’s body or belongings without getting permission first.
6. Residents have the right to choice, which means they can make their own decisions about activities, clothing, and daily routines.
7. A chronic condition lasts for a long time, such as diabetes or arthritis that requires ongoing care.
8. Coercion means forcing someone to do something against their will, which violates a resident’s rights.
9. All patient information must remain confidential and can only be shared with authorized healthcare team members.
10. Defamation occurs when someone spreads untrue information that damages another person’s reputation.
11. Defamation of character is the same as defamation – sharing false information that harms someone’s good name.
12. A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order means that extraordinary life-saving measures should not be used when a person is dying.
13. Healthcare workers must follow ethical standards, which means doing what is right and moral in patient care.
14. False imprisonment happens when a resident is restrained or kept somewhere against their will without proper authorization.
15. Financial abuse occurs when someone improperly uses or steals another person’s money or belongings.
16. Residents can file grievances, which are formal complaints about their care or living conditions.
17. HIPAA is a federal law that protects patient privacy and controls how health information can be shared.
18. Informed consent means a patient has received complete information and agrees to a treatment or procedure.
19. Involuntary seclusion is separating a resident from others without their permission, which violates their rights.
20. Laws are rules created by the government to protect people and help them live together peacefully.
21. Legal standards are the guides and rules that define lawful behavior in healthcare settings.
22. Libel refers to false written statements or pictures that damage someone’s reputation.
23. A mandated reporter is someone who is legally required to report suspected or witnessed abuse.
24. Neglect means failing to provide the care and services needed to prevent harm to a resident.
25. Negligence occurs when a healthcare worker fails to provide reasonable care, causing harm to a patient.
26. An ombudsman is an impartial person who advocates for residents’ rights and investigates complaints.
27. Physical abuse involves hurting someone through hitting, slapping, or other harmful physical contact.
28. Policy and Procedure are the facility’s written guidelines that explain how to care for residents and operate the facility.
29. Privacy means protecting residents from unwanted exposure and keeping their personal information confidential.
30. Psychological abuse involves threatening, belittling, or emotionally harming a resident.
31. A resident council is a group of residents who meet to discuss facility issues and communicate with staff.
32. Restraints are devices that limit a resident’s movement and can only be used with a doctor’s order.
33. Scope of practice defines the specific skills and duties that CNAs are legally allowed to perform.
34. Sexual abuse involves using force or threats to make someone participate in unwanted sexual acts.
35. Slander refers to false spoken statements that damage someone’s reputation.
36. Social services is the facility department that helps meet residents’ non-medical needs and connects them with community resources.
37. Theft means taking something that belongs to another person without their permission.
38. Verbal abuse is a form of mistreatment that uses harmful or threatening language to hurt someone emotionally.

Module 2: 4 CNA Dialogues for English Learners

Dialogue 1: Orientation Day – Understanding Patient Rights

Sarah (New CNA): Good morning! I’m Sarah, the new nursing assistant. Today is my first day.

Maria (Experienced CNA): Welcome, Sarah! I’m Maria, and I’ll be showing you around. Let me explain some important concepts about patient rights.

Sarah: What exactly are patient rights?

Maria: Patient rights protect people receiving care. Every resident – that’s what we call people living here – has the right to privacy, choice, and informed consent for their treatments.

Sarah: What does informed consent mean?

Maria: It means we must explain procedures clearly before doing them. Residents have the right to say yes or no. We never use coercion – that means forcing or pressuring someone.

Sarah: What if a family has special instructions?

Maria: Many residents have an advance directive. This is a legal document that explains their wishes for medical care. Some might have a DNR – that’s “Do Not Resuscitate” – which means no CPR.

Sarah: This is a lot to remember. Are there rules I need to follow?

Maria: Yes, we follow policies and procedures. We also have ethical standards – doing what’s right – and legal standards – following the law. Remember, everything about residents is confidential. We protect their information under HIPAA laws.

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Dialogue 2: Preventing Abuse and Neglect

David (Supervisor): Tom, as a CNA, you’re a mandated reporter. Do you know what that means?

Tom (New CNA): I think it means I have to report problems?

David: Exactly. If you see abuse, neglect, or negligence, you must report it immediately. Let me explain the differences.

Tom: What’s the difference between abuse and neglect?

David: Abuse means someone intentionally hurts a resident. Physical abuse is hitting or rough handling. Psychological abuse is threatening or humiliating someone. Verbal abuse means yelling or using cruel words. Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual contact.

Tom: What about neglect?

David: Neglect means not providing proper care. Negligence is similar – it’s failing in your duty to care for someone. Both can harm residents even if you don’t mean to.

Tom: Are there other types of abuse?

David: Yes. Financial abuse means stealing money or belongings – that’s also called theft. We also never use restraints without proper orders, and we never put residents in involuntary seclusion – that’s false imprisonment.

Tom: What if I’m accused of something?

David: Never help someone do wrong – that’s called aiding and abetting. Always follow your scope of practice – only do tasks you’re trained and allowed to do.

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Dialogue 3: Communication and Respect

Linda (CNA): Jessica, I heard Mrs. Johnson complaining about her care yesterday.

Jessica (New CNA): She seemed upset. What should I do about grievances?

Linda: Residents have the right to complain and get answers. Listen respectfully and report concerns to the nurse or social services.

Jessica: Can I talk to other staff about her complaints?

Linda: Be careful! You must protect resident privacy. Don’t discuss residents in public areas. That could be defamation – damaging someone’s reputation.

Jessica: What’s the difference between defamation and other communication problems?

Linda: Defamation of character means saying false things that hurt someone’s reputation. Libel is writing false statements, and slander is saying false things out loud. All of these are serious.

Jessica: How do I communicate properly?

Linda: Always be respectful. Remember that many residents have chronic conditions – long-term health problems. They need patience and understanding. Ask about their choice in daily activities like what to wear or eat.

Jessica: What if there’s a conflict?

Linda: Never use assault – threatening someone – or battery – unwanted touching. If you have concerns, contact the ombudsman. That’s an independent person who protects resident rights.

Jessica: Do residents have a say in their care?

Linda: Absolutely! There’s a resident council where they can voice concerns and make suggestions about facility policies.

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Dialogue 4: Daily Care and Rights

Robert (Charge Nurse): Anna, let’s discuss how to respect rights during daily care.

Anna (CNA): I want to make sure I do everything correctly.

Robert: Remember that each patient – we use patient, resident, and client to mean the same thing – deserves dignity and respect.

Anna: How do I maintain privacy during personal care?

Robert: Close doors, use curtains, and explain what you’re doing. Residents have the right to privacy even during intimate care like bathing and dressing.

Anna: What if someone refuses care?

Robert: Respect their choice. You cannot force care unless it’s a medical emergency. Explain why care is important, but don’t use pressure or coercion.

Anna: How do I handle sensitive information?

Robert: All resident information is confidential. Don’t discuss residents with family members, friends, or other residents. This protects their privacy and follows HIPAA regulations.

Robert: What about family involvement?

Anna: Family can be involved if the resident agrees. Some families help with care decisions, especially for residents who cannot make their own choices.

Anna: Are there other rights I should remember?

Robert: Yes. Residents have the right to practice their religion, receive visitors, and participate in activities. They also have the right to voice complaints through grievances without fear of retaliation.

Anna: What if I make a mistake?

Robert: Report it immediately. Hiding mistakes could be considered negligence. We learn from mistakes to provide better care.

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Key Vocabulary Review

• Patient/Resident/Client: Person receiving care
• Abuse: Intentionally hurting someone
• Neglect: Not providing proper care
• Privacy: Right to personal space and confidential information
• Choice: Right to make decisions about care
• Informed Consent: Agreement after receiving clear information
• Confidential: Private information that must be protected
• HIPAA: Federal law protecting health information
• Mandated Reporter: Person required to report abuse or neglect
• Scope of Practice: Tasks a CNA is trained and allowed to perform