CNA Classes Training

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), is a very busy individual. CNAs are on the “front line” of patient care, carrying out the bulk of hygiene and monitoring tasks. They perform this kind of work so that the supervising nurse – either a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – can focus on more specialized aspects of patient care.

What does a CNA’s day look like? It begins by reporting to the supervising nurse, and receiving updates and instructions from the CNA who is going off-shift. The CNA will help her charges get ready for the day, helping them to dress, groom (brush hair, etc.), and to use the bathroom or bedpan. If the patient requires assistance during feeding, the CNA provides it, though patients are encouraged to do as much as they can for themselves. The CNA may also take or record vital signs.

In the afternoon, the CNA will help patients to prepare for any appointments they may have. This may mean helping them out of bed and into a wheelchair, or simply making sure they are awake and alert for an examination. Linens are usually changed, and beds are made. It is important to note that CNAs, like nurses, are specially trained in bedmaking so that not a single wrinkle in the fabric can irritate the patient’s skin – helping to prevent bedsores. CNAs may also assist the patient in completing light physical therapy exercises. For patients that are unconscious, CNAs will change their position at least every two hours – again, to help prevent bedsores, as well as muscle atrophy.

Besides providing assistance with feeding at mealtimes, CNAs must often monitor food and liquid intake and output. Keeping track of the amount, color, and consistency of urine and feces, and reporting changes to supervisors, is an important step in detecting changes in a patient’s condition. In fact, any time the CNA detects that something is “off,” it should be immediately reported to the supervising nurse.

While a full bath or shower may only take place once a week, a CNA will help patients, who require it, to take a simple bed bath daily, often in the afternoon or evening. The CNA will also help keep the patient’s room tidy and bright, taking note of what needs to be re-stocked, and maintaining everything in its place. Throughout the day, the CNA will answer patient call signals, deliver messages, and assist in any way the supervising nurse requires; this may include collecting samples for testing, applying dressings, or assisting during some medical procedures.

At the end of their shift, a CNA will take vital signs for all his/her patients once more. Paperwork usually needs to be filled out, specifying what was done for each patient that day, and if there are any special considerations or concerns that need to be followed up on. Either the CNA or the supervising nurse will use this information to brief the next CNA to come on shift.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 1:48 am and is filed under CNA Training, cna jobs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.