If a resident falls asleep during a back rub, what should you do?

• A. Continue rubbing until they wake
• B. Gently stop, assess comfort, and offer to resume later
• C. Stop immediately and leave
• D. Never resume after sleep

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to respect the resident’s comfort and obtain consent before continuing any touch-based care. If a resident falls asleep during a back rub, stop gently and check that they’re comfortable. Make sure they are properly covered, warm, and free from any discomfort, then offer to resume later or when they wake. This approach honors their preferences, avoids intruding while they’re sleeping, and gives you a moment to assess for any pain, redness, or irritation.

Continuing the back rub until they wake would feel intrusive and may disrupt their sleep, which isn’t appropriate without their input. Stopping immediately and leaving without checking in misses an opportunity to ensure ongoing comfort and consent. Never resuming after sleep isn’t correct either, because the resident may still want care resumed; you should offer to resume and proceed only with their consent.