CNA Certification (Written Exam)Communication and Psychosocial NeedsMedium
A nurse aide observes that family members frequently answer questions and make care decisions on behalf of a resident from a culture that values strong family involvement in health matters. How should the aide respond?
- ARefuse to communicate with the family at all
- BInsist the resident answer all questions alone without family input
- CReport the family to the administrator for interfering with care
- DRecognize this as a cultural value and respectfully allow family involvement while still protecting the resident's rights
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Recognize this as a cultural value and respectfully allow family involvement while still protecting the resident's rights
In many cultures, family involvement in health decisions is a valued norm rather than interference. The nurse aide should respect this cultural practice while ensuring the resident's rights and preferences remain central to care.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Refusing to communicate isolates the family and may harm the caregiving relationship.
- B. This disregards a valid cultural practice and may cause distress to the resident and family.
- C. This is inappropriate; family involvement is not automatically interference.
Family-Centered Cultural Care
Some cultures value family involvement in health decisions; nurse aides should respect this while protecting resident autonomy and rights.
- Collectivist cultures often prioritize family decision-making
- Aides should balance cultural respect with resident rights
- Not all family involvement is inappropriate interference
Memory trick: Family first, but resident's rights still matter — balance both.