A federal law that includes minimum standards for nursing assistants, training requirements, resident assessment instructions, and information on rights for residents is known as which?

• A. HIPAA
• B. OBRA
• C. ADA
• D. EMTALA

Answer: (B)

A federal law that sets minimum standards for nursing assistants, requires specific training, directs resident assessments, and protects residents’ rights is OBRA, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987. This law established nationwide requirements for long-term care facilities, including how CNAs must be trained and certified, the need for ongoing in-service education, and the use of standardized resident assessments (the RAI/MDS) to evaluate each resident’s needs. It also codifies residents’ rights, such as dignity, privacy, and freedom from abuse, directing how care should be planned and delivered.

HIPAA, in contrast, addresses the privacy and security of health information, not CNA training standards or resident rights in care settings. ADA focuses on preventing discrimination and ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, not on CNA training or resident assessments. EMTALA requires emergency departments to provide stabilizing treatment for anyone needing emergency care, which is about emergency services rather than long-term care standards.