If a nursing assistant witnesses a coworker abusing a resident and fails to report it, they could be charged with what?

If a nursing assistant witnesses a coworker abusing a resident and fails to report it, they could be charged with negligence. Negligence, in this context, refers to the failure to act in a way that a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances, particularly in a healthcare setting. This includes the responsibility to protect residents from harm. By not reporting the abuse, the assistant is failing to fulfill their duty of care owed to the residents, which constitutes negligent behavior.

In this situation, the nursing assistant has a legal and ethical obligation to report any signs of abuse to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents. This failure to act not only places the resident at further risk but also potentially exposes the assistant to legal consequences for not intervening when it was their duty to do so. By understanding the implications of negligence, it is clear why this is the correct answer.