The failure to provide needed care that results in physical, mental, or emotional harm is called what?

• A. Neglect
• B. Negligence
• C. Malpractice
• D. OBRA

Answer: (A)

Neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to provide the care a resident needs, and that failure leads to physical, mental, or emotional harm. In daily care, this can mean missing meals or hydration, poor hygiene, lack of supervision or safety, not giving prescribed medicines, or failing to monitor a resident's changes in condition. This is different from negligence, which is a legal term for a professional's failure to meet the expected standard of care. OBRA refers to federal regulations governing resident rights and quality of care, not the act of neglect itself.