CNAs are trained in foundational nursing procedures to support patients in daily living activities. This includes bathing, dressing, grooming, and other personal hygiene tasks, ensuring that patients maintain their dignity and comfort. Understanding the basics of patient care also involves recognizing signs of distress or health changes that need to be reported to nurses or doctors.
2. Vital Signs Monitoring
2. Monitoring vital signs is a critical skill, involving checking the patient's temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration rates. These measurements provide crucial data about a patient's health status, indicating potential problems or progress in recovery. Accuracy and the ability to notice deviations from normal ranges are essential aspects of this skill.
3. Patient Hygiene and Personal Care
3. Ensuring patient hygiene and providing personal care are central to a CNA's role, significantly impacting patient comfort and preventing infections. This includes tasks like bathing, oral care, grooming, and assisting with toileting. It requires a respectful and sensitive approach to support patients' independence and privacy.
4. Infection Control and Safety Protocols
Infection control and safety protocols protect patients, healthcare workers, and visitors from healthcare-associated infections. CNAs must understand and apply these protocols, including hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and proper cleaning and disinfection techniques, to maintain a safe environment for everyone in the healthcare setting.
5. Medical Terminology and Documentation
Familiarity with medical terminology is crucial for accurate communication and documentation. CNAs use this language to document patient care, understand orders from healthcare professionals, and communicate patients' conditions effectively. Clear and precise documentation is vital for continuity of care and legal compliance.
6. Assisting with Mobility and Transfers
6. CNAs assist patients with mobility issues in moving safely to prevent falls and support physical activity. This includes helping patients out of bed, supporting them during walking, and using devices like wheelchairs and lifts for transfers. Proper techniques ensure the safety of both the patient and the CNA.
7.Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR
7. CNAs must be trained in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to respond to patients in cardiac arrest or respiratory failure. These life-saving techniques are critical in emergencies before the arrival of medical professionals specialized in advanced interventions.
Wound Care and Dressing Changes
8. Proper wound care and dressing changes prevent infection and promote healing. CNAs need to understand different types of wounds, how to clean and dress them, and signs of infection. This skill requires attention to detail and the ability to follow specific instructions for wound care.
Medical Equipment Operation
9. Operating medical equipment is a technical skill that CNAs need, including using devices like blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, and electronic patient records. Competence with technology supports efficient and accurate patient care and data management.
Nutrition and Feeding Assistance
10.Nutrition is key to patient recovery and well-being. CNAs assist with feeding, ensuring that patients receive the right diet as prescribed by healthcare providers. This includes understanding dietary restrictions, encouraging adequate nutrition, and monitoring intake to prevent malnutrition or dehydration.
