Communication & CultureQuestion 36 of 200
A gay resident is visited daily by his husband. A new CNA refers to the husband as 'your friend.' The appropriate correction is:
a.The CNA may use whatever term for the visitor she is personally comfortable with
b.The resident must accept the terms staff use as long as no insult is intended
c.The CNA must use the term 'husband' as the resident has chosen, in keeping with respect for chosen family relationships under California's LGBT Long-Term Care Bill of Rights
d.Disagreements about family labels are a social-work matter, not a CNA concern
Explanation
HSC §1439.51 prohibits willful and repeated failure to use the resident's preferred name, pronouns, and chosen family relationship terms. Married same-sex partners are spouses. Substituting 'friend' minimizes the relationship and may constitute discriminatory treatment. Staff comfort (a) does not outweigh the resident's right; the resident does not have to accept disrespectful terms (b); this is squarely a CNA conduct issue (d).
Law Reference: HSC §1439.50–51 (LGBT bill of rights)This 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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