Question

Three of your assigned patients require vital signs, blood glucose testing, and dressing changes. You are working with a nursing assistant. Discuss what tasks can be completed by the nursing assistant and what must be completed by the practical nurse. What responsibility do you have related to this assignment?

Answer 1

Ans) A certified nursing assistant’s primary responsibility is to assist patients with their daily activities. While some CNAs may have additional responsibilities such as administering medication the core functions of a CNA on the job include:

Bathing and dressing patients
Taking vital signs
Collecting information about conditions and treatment plans from caregivers, nurses and doctors
Answering patient calls
Examining patients for bruises and other injuries/wounds
Turning or repositioning patients who are bedridden
Lifting patients into beds, wheelchairs or exam tables
Cleaning and sanitizing patient areas
Provide and empty bedpans
Changing sheets and restocking rooms with necessary supplies.

So in the above situation, the nursing assistant can take vital signs, blood glucose testing the patients.

- The CNA does the dressing change, and the RNs glance at the wound before she redresses it. The RN charts it as dressing change delegated to CNA with an RN assessment of the wound's appearance.