When attempting to treat a patient in a nursing home, the patient refused treatment.The PTA treated the patient anyway and lied about the patient's response.Could there be legal action?
A) Yes, the patient refused; the PTA should not have performed the treatment and should not have documented the refusal.
B) No, the patient was in a nursing home and was not competent to make such a decision.
C) Yes, if the PTA lied and the patient is competent to make that decision, the PTA should not have treated the patient and should have documented the refusal.
D) No, the patient's family can refuse treatment, not the patient.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Even if a patient is in a nursing home, he or she may be competent to make such a decision. If the patient refuses treatment, the PTA is ethically bound not to perform the treatment, report it to the nurse, document the refusal and why, and report it to the supervising PT. That protects the PTA because the PTA cannot perform the treatment as prescribed by the PT. By notifying the nursing staff, documenting the refusal, and notifying the supervising PT, the PTA has met the requirements necessary to support such a refusal.

When Attempting to Treat a Patient in a Nursing Home