Can residents refuse care?

Can residents refuse care?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only with physician order
• D. Only if the care is uncomfortable

Answer: (A)

Residents have the right to refuse care. This reflects their autonomy to make decisions about their own body. If the resident is capable of understanding what the care involves and the consequences, they may decline any treatment or procedure, even if others think it’s beneficial. Your role is to provide the needed information about risks and benefits, respect their decision, and document the refusal clearly. Do not pressure or coerce them, and continue to provide other routine care that they have not refused, while monitoring for any change in their condition. If capacity is in doubt, involve the physician and consider surrogate decision-making or an advance directive to guide choices, because decisions may shift if a resident’s ability to decide changes. In short: yes, residents can refuse care as long as they have the capacity to decide and the choice is informed and voluntary.

Residents have the right to refuse care. This reflects their autonomy to make decisions about their own body. If the resident is capable of understanding what the care involves and the consequences, they may decline any treatment or procedure, even if others think it’s beneficial. Your role is to provide the needed information about risks and benefits, respect their decision, and document the refusal clearly. Do not pressure or coerce them, and continue to provide other routine care that they have not refused, while monitoring for any change in their condition. If capacity is in doubt, involve the physician and consider surrogate decision-making or an advance directive to guide choices, because decisions may shift if a resident’s ability to decide changes. In short: yes, residents can refuse care as long as they have the capacity to decide and the choice is informed and voluntary.