Which action should be avoided when you notice unexplained injuries on a resident?

• A. Discuss the injuries with the resident's family without reporting
• B. Report to the nurse for assessment
• C. Document in the chart
• D. Observe and wait for changes

Answer: (A)

When you notice unexplained injuries, the priority is to get professional assessment and protect the resident. The action to avoid is discussing the injuries with the resident’s family without reporting. This can delay proper evaluation, violate facility policies and privacy rules, and potentially hinder an investigation into the cause of the injuries. The appropriate steps are to report the concern to the nurse for assessment, document objective observations in the resident’s chart, and continue to monitor for any changes while following facility procedures. Waiting or simply observing without reporting does not ensure timely care or safety.