Abuse of a long-term care facility resident occurs when a person acts in which manner?

The correct choice is that abuse of a long-term care facility resident occurs when a person acts knowingly. This means that the individual is aware of their actions and understands that those actions could potentially harm the resident. Knowledge implies a conscious choice to engage in behavior that violates the rights or safety of the resident, making it a serious matter under the law.

In the context of long-term care facilities, the term "abuse" encompasses a wide range of harmful behaviors, including physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Recognizing that an individual acted with knowledge of their harmful actions is critical because it distinguishes willful misconduct from an accidental or reckless act that may not be based on intent to cause harm.

The other options suggest different levels of awareness or intention. For instance, recklessness refers to a disregard for the consequences of one's actions, which might not necessarily involve the same level of culpability as knowing abuse. Actively implies engagement in wrongful behavior but does not specify the awareness of harm. Secretly involves hiding one's actions, which may apply in some contexts but does not address the necessity of knowing intent. Therefore, the definition and legal implications surrounding abuse make "knowingly" the most appropriate choice in this context.