For which situation should a CMA immediately report to a supervising nurse?

When administering medication, any signs of confusion observed during the process are critical and must be addressed immediately. Confusion can indicate a potential underlying issue such as a reaction to medication, a side effect, or even a change in the resident’s cognitive status. By reporting this to the supervising nurse without delay, the CMA ensures that the resident receives the necessary assessment and intervention.

The other situations, while important, do not require immediate reporting in the same urgent manner. A resident requesting a specific food menu may need attention but is not an urgent health concern. Similarly, a missed medication dose should be documented and addressed, but it does not have the same potential immediate risk as a resident exhibiting confusion. Lastly, a resident's improvement in health is certainly positive and noteworthy but does not typically require urgent reporting to a supervising nurse. The emphasis on the importance of confusion highlights the need for vigilance in medication administration and patient safety.