A CNA is documenting on a shared computer at the nurses' station when a visitor asks, How is my mother doing today? What is the MOST appropriate response?
Answer choices
- ATell the visitor the resident ate well and slept fine
- BPolitely explain you cannot share information and ask the visitor to speak with the nurse
- CRead the latest progress note aloud so the visitor feels included
- DSay everything is fine to avoid upsetting the visitor
About this question
How should a CNA answer when a visitor asks how their mother is doing at the nurses' station? Confidentiality and HIPAA-style privacy items are Role staples. Friendly oversharing at the desk is a common fail. Read the wording and clinical context closely; those details determine the NNAAP competency being tested.
This item asks for the most appropriate response. Politely explain you cannot share information and ask the visitor to speak with the nurse. Do not summarize meals and sleep, read progress notes aloud, or give a vague "everything is fine." Unauthorized disclosure is still a privacy breach. For visitor asks about resident status, default to refer-to-nurse unless you have clear authorization.
Reveal answer & explanationShow
Correct answer
- ATell the visitor the resident ate well and slept fine
- BPolitely explain you cannot share information and ask the visitor to speak with the nurseCorrect
- CRead the latest progress note aloud so the visitor feels included
- DSay everything is fine to avoid upsetting the visitor
Basic rationale
Do not share resident information with unauthorized persons. Refer the visitor to the nurse and maintain confidentiality.
Option explanations
- A: Incorrect. Clinical updates require authorization.
- B: Correct. Protect confidentiality and follow chain of communication.
- C: Incorrect. Chart information is confidential.
- D: Incorrect. Even vague clinical reassurance is inappropriate.
Deep Analysis
Core logic
HIPAA and resident rights prohibit sharing clinical information with visitors unless authorization and policy allow it. Direct inquiries to the nurse.
Distractor analysis
A: Sharing observations with a visitor without verification of permission violates confidentiality. C: Reading the chart aloud is a serious privacy breach. D: General reassurance still confirms status information inappropriately.
Exam trap
Visitors may seem entitled to updates, but CNAs cannot release information without proper authorization.
Memory tip
Visitor asks about resident: polite redirect to nurse, no details.
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