What should you do if a resident refuses medication?

• A. Force administration after counting to three.
• B. Ignore the refusal if they are not verbal.
• C. Document refusal but do not inform supervisor.
• D. Respect the refusal, document it, inform the supervisor, and note any reasons given; continue to monitor and remind as advised.

Answer: (D)

Respecting a resident’s right to refuse medication and handling it with proper follow-up keeps the person safe while honoring their autonomy. If a resident refuses, acknowledge their decision and make sure they understand what the medicine does and any possible consequences. Offer to discuss the reasons with the prescriber or supervisor, and then document the refusal clearly, including any reasons the resident gives. Immediately inform the supervisor or clinician and continue to monitor the resident, providing reminders or rechecking later as advised by policy. This approach ensures the care team stays informed and can reassess if the resident’s decision changes.

Forcing medication after counting to three undermines consent and can cause harm. Ignoring a refusal because the resident isn’t verbal fails to respect their autonomy and may miss important cues. Merely documenting the refusal without informing the supervisor leaves clinicians without essential information to address the situation appropriately.