Final answer:
A nursing assistant should call a resident by name to confirm identity and evaluate cognitive status, with correct responses indicating awareness and orientation, while confused or incorrect responses may signal cognitive issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Calling a resident by their name is a crucial part of proper patient identification and communication in healthcare. It serves more than one purpose: first, it confirms that the healthcare provider is interacting with the correct individual, ensuring that personalized care is given. Additionally, it assesses the resident's cognitive status. A clear response to being asked their name can indicate that the resident is aware, oriented, and able to interact meaningfully with others. If the resident responds with an incorrect name such as "Santa Claus," or gives a confused look, this may hint at a cognitive issue or an inability to understand or produce speech appropriately. Utilizing a resident's name is a simple yet effective way for a healthcare worker to accomplish these tasks.