Arizona Certified Caregiver Practice Exam

One of your residents is refusing her routine medications. What should you do?

1. Force the resident to take the medications

2. Explain the need for the medication

3. Ignore the refusal and administer the medication covertly

4. Consult with other caregivers for a decision

The correct answer is: Explain the need for the medication

In this scenario, the most appropriate course of action when a resident is refusing their routine medications is to choose option B, which is to explain the need for the medication. This approach respects the resident's autonomy and helps them understand why taking their medications is important for their health and well-being. Option A, which suggests forcing the resident to take the medications, is not recommended as it goes against the resident's right to make decisions about their own care. Coercing a resident to take medications can violate their rights and trust in the caregiver-resident relationship. Option C, which involves ignoring the refusal and administering the medication covertly, is unethical and can harm the trust between the caregiver and resident. It is essential to always obtain proper consent before administering any medication. Option D, consulting with other caregivers for a decision, may be appropriate in some cases but should not be the first step taken when a resident refuses medication. It is essential to communicate directly with the resident and try to understand the reason for their refusal before seeking input from others.