CNA Certification (Written Exam)Resident Rights and Legal/EthicalMedium
A physician needs to perform a new procedure on a resident that was not previously explained. Who is responsible for obtaining informed consent from the resident before the procedure?
- AWhichever staff member is available at the time
- BThe resident's family, regardless of the resident's own wishes
- CThe nurse aide, since they spend the most time with the resident
- DThe physician or licensed practitioner performing or ordering the procedure
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The physician or licensed practitioner performing or ordering the procedure
Informed consent must be obtained by the physician or licensed practitioner who will perform or order the procedure, as it requires explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives, which is outside the nurse aide's scope of practice. The aide's role is to report concerns, not to obtain consent.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Consent must come from a qualified licensed provider, not any available staff.
- B. Family consent is only relevant if the resident lacks decision-making capacity.
- C. Obtaining informed consent is outside a nurse aide's scope of practice.
Informed Consent Responsibility
Informed consent for medical procedures must be obtained by the physician or licensed practitioner performing the procedure, not by nurse aides.
- Requires explanation of risks, benefits, alternatives
- Outside nurse aide scope of practice
- Resident must have decision-making capacity to consent
Memory trick: Doctor explains, resident decides—aide just abides.