CNAs and Their Significant Roles in Patient Care

The Basics of CNAs and Their Significant Roles in Patient Care

A CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) works under the supervision of licensed nurses. CNAs perform important tasks that are centered around the needs of the patients. The duties of a CNA are similar to those of a nurse aide.

There are many duties that are performed in a hospital or other healthcare setting. For example, CNAs may help the nurses in delivering bedside care like bathing the patients, feeding them, changing bed linens, and taking them to different places for clinical examinations or treatments.

CNAs also assist the nurses in handling non-patient-related tasks like transporting supplies, preparing patients’ medicines, and cleaning the rooms.

Now, those may seem focused on being just mere aides for nurses, but they also dwell on patient care throughout their profession. Below are just a few examples.

1. Inform Nurses of Any Emergencies. The most obvious duty CNAs are given is to inform nurses and doctors about a critical situation. This is crucial in keeping the health and safety of the patients intact, especially in the event of an emergency. For example, if a patient is having trouble breathing and experiencing chest pains, it is a CNA’s duty to inform the nurse immediately of the situation.
2. Helps Patients with Their Daily Needs. CNAs are commonly the ones who help the patients with their daily needs. They help them change clothes or assist them while they take their daily baths. Also, they help them transfer from one position to another if their condition limits them from doing it alone. This also includes helping patients to attain their personal hygiene and independent living skills.
3. Helps Patients Move to a Chair or Wheelchair. For patients unable to move on their own, it is the duty of a CNA to help them out. They help the patients move from bed to wheelchair or from wheelchair to a chair. The movement may also occur during the transfer of the patient from one place to another. Moreover, they help them move in and out of the toilets at times, preventing any risk of slips and falls.
4. Measure and Take Note of the Patient’s Food and Liquid Consumption. Patients with different medical conditions have restrictions on the amount of food and liquid they are allowed to consume. The nurse or doctor may ask a CNA to monitor the patients’ meals and liquid consumption to determine if they are getting better or otherwise. They may be asked to even give the patients their medicines for them to be able to monitor their health more in-depth.
5. Inform and Clarify Medical Procedures and Tests to Patients and Their Families. For patients who cannot communicate with the doctors and nurses, it is the duty of CNAs to inform them of the procedures and tests they will be having during their stay in the hospital. This is especially important when the procedures and tests may involve pain or discomfort. For example, they may be asked to help patients prepare for their tests. This includes getting them ready and checking their body condition to ensure they are clean and free of any allergic reactions or other conditions that may prevent the tests from being done.

Your Care Team at Golden Rule Hospice

CNAs are crucial to a patient’s physical and emotional needs. They are tasked with many tasks related to the patient’s well-being and health, including giving them physical and emotional support.

When a patient is admitted to a hospital, the one who is most affected is the patient and their loved ones. Although it is the duty of the hospital and the doctors to ensure the patient’s recovery, CNAs are the ones who are at the forefront of patient care, making sure they are in good health while undergoing their treatments.

If you are looking for an institution that provides the best hospice care in Atlanta, look no further than our gentle care and experienced personnel here at Golden Rule Hospice. We offer home hospice care services, all of which are designed to make your loved ones feel better and well taken care of during their most vulnerable state. Call us today at (470) 395-6567 for more information about our offered care and service areas.