If a resident refuses a medication, what steps should you take?

If a resident refuses a medication, what steps should you take?

• A. Respect the decision, assess safety, inform nurse/supervisor, document the refusal and reason, and follow agency policy
• B. Force the resident to take the medication
• C. Ignore the refusal and proceed
• D. Remove the medication from MAR and discard

Answer: (A)

Respecting a resident's right to refuse medication while ensuring safety and proper documentation is the main concept being tested. When a resident declines a prescribed drug, the best approach is to honor the decision, assess safety implications of the refusal, inform the nurse or supervisor, document the refusal and the reason given, and follow the facility’s policies for next steps. This approach protects the resident’s autonomy while ensuring any potential risks are considered and the care team remains informed. If there are concerns about the resident’s ability to make an informed decision, involve the physician and follow policy on capacity assessment or surrogate decision-making. Forcing the medication, ignoring the refusal, or discarding the medication without proper documentation are not appropriate because they undermine autonomy, safety, and proper medication management.

Respecting a resident's right to refuse medication while ensuring safety and proper documentation is the main concept being tested. When a resident declines a prescribed drug, the best approach is to honor the decision, assess safety implications of the refusal, inform the nurse or supervisor, document the refusal and the reason given, and follow the facility’s policies for next steps. This approach protects the resident’s autonomy while ensuring any potential risks are considered and the care team remains informed. If there are concerns about the resident’s ability to make an informed decision, involve the physician and follow policy on capacity assessment or surrogate decision-making. Forcing the medication, ignoring the refusal, or discarding the medication without proper documentation are not appropriate because they undermine autonomy, safety, and proper medication management.