CNA Training: Patient Care Basics

CNA Role

• CNAs assist with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
• CNAs do not administer medications, diagnose medical conditions, or perform surgeries.

Vital Signs and Monitoring

• Vital signs are measurements that indicate a patient's health status.
• Vital signs include blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate.
• The normal range for adult heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute.
• Vital signs should be checked as per the care plan or facility policy.

Patient Safety and Care

• It's considered neglect to fail to provide necessary care.
• A care plan outlines a patient's specific needs and goals.
• If a patient complains of pain, assess the pain and report it to the nurse.

Blood Pressure Measurement

• The first step when taking a patient's blood pressure is to position the cuff on their arm.
• CNAs cannot administer medication or perform tasks requiring medical judgment.

Patient Care and Safety Continued

• If a patient is experiencing difficulty breathing, call for help and stay with the patient.
• If a patient falls, assess the patient and call for help.
• Report any pressure sores to the nurse immediately.
• When making an occupied bed, work from the side and keep the patient in the center.
• When communicating with a hearing-impaired patient, speak slowly and clearly, using gestures if necessary.
• When feeding a patient, assist them patiently, check for choking, and allow them to eat alone.
• When assisting a patient with a walker, stand behind and slightly to the side.
• Fowlers position is best for a patient recovering from surgery.
• Always respect a patient's privacy when assisting with personal hygiene.
• Proper body mechanics involve using your legs and keeping your back straight when lifting.

Infection Control

• Hand hygiene is crucial for preventing the spread of infection.
• Report any exposure to a patient's blood immediately and follow facility protocol.
• Both contact and droplet isolation are used for patients with contagious diseases.
• Redness, swelling, warmth, and fever are signs of infection.
• Regular handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.

Emergency Procedures

• If a patient is choking, perform the Heimlich maneuver and call for help.

This quiz covers essential concepts for Certified Nursing Assistants, focusing on daily living activities, vital signs monitoring, and patient safety. Understand the role of CNAs in providing care and the importance of accurate vital sign measurements and patient assessments. Test your knowledge on crucial caregiving principles.