When a family believes a resident’s rights have been violated, what is the best initial action for the nurse to take?

• A. Remove the client from the facility.
• B. Call the local ombudsman and report the information.
• C. Hire a lawyer to obtain information about the client’s care.
• D. Request a copy of the client’s medical record and determine if appropriate care has been given.

Answer: (B)

When a family believes a resident’s rights have been violated, the nurse’s first move is to bring in an advocate who can guide and protect the resident. The local ombudsman is the person best positioned to handle rights concerns in a long-term care setting. They can promptly document the complaint, assess the situation, and help resolve the issue with the facility while safeguarding the resident’s rights and safety.

Moving the resident out of the facility unilaterally isn’t appropriate without due process. Hiring a lawyer is a more escalated step than necessary as a first action. Asking for the medical record to judge care quality isn’t the initial move either; it raises privacy issues and doesn’t directly address rights concerns through advocacy and mediation.