If a resident requests not to be touched by a male staff member, what should the CNA do?

• A. Respect preference, attempt to assign a same-sex caregiver if possible, and document.
• B. Ignore the request.
• C. Explain it cannot be honored and proceed.
• D. Move the resident to another unit.

Answer: (A)

Respecting a resident’s autonomy and dignity is the key idea here. When a resident asks not to be touched by a male staff member, the CNA should honor that preference whenever possible. The best approach is to arrange care with a same-sex caregiver if one is available and to document the resident’s preference so all team members know and can plan accordingly. Documenting the preference helps ensure continuity of care and shows that the resident’s comfort and boundaries are being taken seriously, which supports trust and safety in the care environment. If a same-sex caregiver isn’t immediately available, communicate the limitation and involve a supervisor to explore options while continuing to respect the resident’s dignity.

Ignoring the request or telling the resident it cannot be honored would undermine the resident’s rights and the professional standards guiding respectful, person-centered care, and moving the resident to another unit would be disruptive and unlikely to address the underlying boundary or comfort issue.