A resident refuses a prescribed medication. What is the CMA's next step?

• A. Respect the resident's decision, notify the supervising nurse, and document the refusal
• B. Force administration
• C. Remove medication from MAR
• D. Warn the resident

Answer: (A)

Respecting a resident’s right to refuse and following the proper steps is the main idea. When a resident declines a prescribed medication, the correct course is to honor the decision, promptly notify the supervising nurse, and document the refusal. This approach upholds the resident’s autonomy while ensuring safety and accountability: the nurse can review the decision, discuss any concerns or alternatives, and ensure the record accurately shows that the medication was not given. It also creates a clear trail for future reference and care planning.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to force administration, as that violates consent and can cause harm and legal issues. Removing the medication from the MAR would misrepresent what happened, since the dose was not given. Warning the resident is not respectful or appropriate and doesn’t address the documented decision or escalation to a licensed nurse. If the resident later changes their mind or if the nurse recommends a different plan, discussions and decisions should be documented and carried out according to facility policy.