Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

Which occurrence is considered an incident and requires a report to be completed?

1. A resident uses the call light frequently.

2. A resident yells at a family member.

3. A resident accuses an NA of abusing her.

4. The NA arrives 10 minutes late to work.

The correct answer is: A resident accuses an NA of abusing her.

The situation in which a resident accuses a nursing assistant of abusing her constitutes an incident that requires a formal report to be completed due to the serious nature of the accusation. Abuse allegations, whether they are physical, emotional, or verbal, can have significant legal and ethical implications, both for the resident involved and for the healthcare facility. Reporting such occurrences is essential to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, and it initiates an investigation process to address the allegation properly. In contrast, frequent use of the call light, a resident yelling at a family member, or an assistant arriving late to work do not rise to the level of requiring incident reports. These situations may indicate a need for better communication, time management, or staff support, but they do not involve direct harm or risk to resident safety or rights, which is the threshold for what constitutes an incident needing formal documentation and further action.