A resident with dementia repeatedly wanders out of her room and into other residents' rooms. The MOST appropriate first response is to:
Explanation
Wandering is common in dementia and is best managed with redirection, supervised walking, scheduled activity, environmental cues (clear signage, safe walking paths), and care-plan review. Restraints (a, d) without medical necessity and informed consent constitute false imprisonment and abuse under 42 CFR §483.12 and 42 CFR §483.10(e) (right to be free from restraints). Locking residents in (b) is also unlawful restraint. The CNA reports patterns so the IDT can identify triggers (boredom, pain, toileting needs) and adjust the plan.
Law Reference: 42 CFR §483.10; 42 CFR §483.12This topic, taught in full in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) guide. CNA — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $19.99 · 14-day refund →
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