Texas Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Which of the following actions is considered physical abuse?

1. Yelling at a resident

2. Shoving a resident

3. Refusing to assist with personal care

4. Ignoring a resident's requests for help

The correct answer is: Shoving a resident

Shoving a resident is considered physical abuse because it involves using force or violence that can cause physical harm or injury. Physical abuse encompasses any non-accidental act that causes bodily injury, pain, or impairment. In this case, shoving directly impacts the individual's physical well-being and safety, which is a critical aspect of the definition of physical abuse. While other actions like yelling or refusing to assist with personal care can be harmful and may contribute to emotional or psychological abuse, they do not involve a physical component in the same way that shoving does. Ignoring requests for help may lead to feelings of neglect or abandonment, but it does not involve any physical action that could harm the resident's body. Thus, when identifying physical abuse specifically, shoving stands out as the most clear example.