If an NA does not know the answer to a question asked by a surveyor, how should she respond?

If an NA does not know the answer to a question asked by a surveyor, how should she respond?

• A. Guess the answer and hope it's right
• B. Be honest and never guess
• C. Ask a coworker to answer for you
• D. Ignore the question

Answer: (B)

Honesty about what you don’t know and taking steps to verify keeps resident safety and care accurate. If a surveyor asks a question you’re unsure of, admit you don’t have the answer and say you’ll check with the nurse in charge or refer to the applicable policy to ensure a correct response. This avoids spreading misinformation and shows professional responsibility and integrity. A practical way to respond is to say you don’t have that information at the moment, then commit to finding the right source and reporting back promptly. This approach demonstrates respect for the resident and the surveyors, and supports safe, evidence-based care.

Honesty about what you don’t know and taking steps to verify keeps resident safety and care accurate. If a surveyor asks a question you’re unsure of, admit you don’t have the answer and say you’ll check with the nurse in charge or refer to the applicable policy to ensure a correct response. This avoids spreading misinformation and shows professional responsibility and integrity. A practical way to respond is to say you don’t have that information at the moment, then commit to finding the right source and reporting back promptly. This approach demonstrates respect for the resident and the surveyors, and supports safe, evidence-based care.