Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Prometric Practice Exam

What action should a nurse aide take when a resident begins hiding food in their closet?

1. Ignore the behavior

2. Ask the resident if they are hungry

3. Tell the charge nurse about the resident's behavior

4. Remove the food immediately

The correct answer is: Tell the charge nurse about the resident's behavior

When a resident begins hiding food in their closet, informing the charge nurse is the appropriate action to take. This behavior may indicate underlying issues such as unmet nutritional needs, emotional distress, or a desire for control over their environment. Reporting this behavior ensures that the charge nurse can assess the situation more thoroughly and implement necessary interventions or modifications in the resident's care plan. Addressing such behaviors with the entire care team is vital for comprehensive care and may lead to important discoveries about the resident's preferences or health status. Additionally, the nurse aide is not equipped to diagnose or interpret the underlying reasons for such actions, which is why this escalation to the charge nurse is crucial for proper assessment and follow-up. In contrast, ignoring the behavior could lead to unaddressed concerns that might worsen over time. Asking the resident if they are hungry could provide insight but does not ensure that the issue is documented and reviewed by a healthcare professional. Removing the food immediately could create feelings of neglect or mistrust if the resident later feels that their autonomy is being infringed upon. Thus, communicating with the charge nurse establishes a collaborative approach to care.