During a back rub, which option best demonstrates respect for the resident's consent?

• A. Stop immediately if the resident says stop, and check comfort
• B. Ignore requests to stop and continue
• C. Proceed if the resident seems okay
• D. Complete back rub as scheduled regardless of resident input

Answer: (A)

Consent for touch means the resident can withdraw permission at any time, and their current wishes must guide what happens next. The best way to demonstrate respect for consent during a back rub is to stop immediately when the resident says stop and check their comfort. This shows you’ve heard their request, prevents any further discomfort, and gives you a chance to ask about pain, pressure, and preferences before deciding whether to continue.

Choosing to ignore a stop request, or to assume consent from appearance or from a fixed schedule, can cause harm or distress and breaches the resident’s autonomy. A caring approach is to pause, assess how they’re feeling, discuss their comfort level, and proceed only with explicit, voluntary consent.