If a caregiver suspects that a resident is being abused, what is the proper action?

• A. Discuss the issue with other residents.
• B. Ignore the situation.
• C. Report immediately to his supervisor.
• D. Wait and see if it improves.

Answer: (C)

When a caregiver suspects abuse, protecting the resident and following proper procedures come first. The right move is to report immediately to the supervisor so the facility can start the formal reporting process, document what’s known, and involve the proper authorities if required. This quick action helps prevent further harm and ensures a proper investigation, while fulfilling legal and ethical responsibilities.

Discussing the issue with other residents can violate privacy and spread misinformation, and ignoring the situation or waiting to see if it improves can allow harm to continue and may be illegal. If the supervisor isn’t available right away, follow the facility’s designated chain of command and report without delay.