Basic Nursing Care Provided by the Nursing Assistant

Role of Nursing Assistant

Serves as an additional set of eyes and ears for the healthcare team by monitoring patients, recording observations, and reporting abnormal signs to the nurse.

Cardiovascular / Circulatory System

Made up of the heart and blood vessels; pumps blood to transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs and rest of the body.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Capillary Beds

Microscopic blood vessel networks in tissues where arteries and veins meet and where oxygen exchange occurs

Red Blood Cells

Cells in the blood that transport oxygen throughout the body.

Pulmonary / Respiratory System

System responsible for obtaining oxygen from the environment and removing carbon dioxide via the lungs and airways.

Diaphragm

Amuscle located beneath the lungs and above the abdominal organs that contracts and relaxes to change lung pressure for breathing.

Alveoli

Tiny sac-like structures at the ends of the airways where gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out) takes place.

Neurological System

Consists of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves; interprets sensory input, regulates internal environmnent, and controls motor functionreflexes.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate body functions, metabolism, and growth.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands that influence tissue and organ functions in response to environmental and metabolic changes.

Pituitary Gland

Endocrine gland that secretes growth hormone (influencing heightweight) and controls other endocrine glands.

Integumentary System

Consists of skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands; protects internal body structures, insulates, senses environment, and eliminates waste.

Exocrine Glands

Glands in the skin that secrete substances such as sweat and oil to regulate body temperature and eliminate waste products.

Musculoskeletal System

Made up of bones and muscles; provides structure, supports posture, and enables body movements.

Three Types of Muscle Tissue

Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue found in internal organs like the intestines; contracts automatically.

Peristalsis

Involuntary, wave-like contractions of smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract that move food, nutrients, and waste through the body.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle tissue that makes up the heart wall and pumps blood continuously from before birth until death.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary muscle tissue attached to bones that controls conscious movements like walking, sitting, and lifting.

Reproductive System

Glands, organs, and structures that control sexual function and reproduction (testes/ prostate/penis in males; ovaries/uterus/ vagina in females).

Major Sex Hormones

Estrogen and progesterone in females; testosterone in males.

Renal / Urinary System

Consists of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; regulates fluid/electrolyte balance and excretes urine.

Digestive System

System starting at the mouth down through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine; absorbs nutrients and eliminates solid waste.

Lymphatic System

Consists of lymph nodes and vessels; works with the immune system to fight infections (nodes located in neck, armpits, groin).

Vital Signs

Measurements including heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, oxygenation, respiratory rate, and temperature used to assess basic body function.

Normal Adult Resting Heart Rate

Between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm).

Tachycardia

A resting heart rate higher than 100 beats per minute.

Bradycardia

A resting heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute (can be normal in well-conditioned athletes).

Palpating Pulse

Feeling a pulse using the tips of the index and middle fingers; commonly performed at the radial artery below the thumb on the wrist.

Auscultation

Listening to internal body SOunds, Such as heart sounds, using a stethoscope.

Auscultation Sites for Heart Rate

Aortic valve (2nd-3rd right interspace), Pulmonic valve (2nd-3rd left interspace), Tricuspid valve (left sternal border), and Mitral valve (apex).

Blood Pressure (BP)

Measurement of the force that blood exerts against blood vessel walls, measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Systolic Blood Pressure

The top number in BP; represents peak pressure when the heart contracts (Normal: 90-120 mmHg).

Diastolic Blood Pressure

The bottom number in BP; represents resting pressure between beats (Normal: 60-90 mmHg).

Hypertension

High blood pressure reading above normal limits.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure reading below normal limits.

Sphygmomanometer

Technical name for a manual blood pressure cuff and gauge device.

Manual BP Technique

Align cuff arrow Over brachial artery, inflate to 200 mmHg, slowly deflate while listening for arterial SOunds. Arms relaxed, legs uncrossed.

Normal Adult Body Temperature

Approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).

Fever

Elevated body temperature, usually indicating the body is fighting an infection.

Hypothermia

Body temperature significantly below normal, usually resulting from exposure to cold environments.

Temperature Measurement Routes

Oral (mouth), Axllary (armpit), Temporal (forehead), and Rectal. Avoid oral immediately after eating, drinking, smoking, or gum.

Normal Adult Respiratory Rate

Between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing rate above 20 breaths per minute.

Apnea

Temporary absence or cessation of breathing.

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (e.g., during asthma exacerbations).

Pulse Oxygenation (Sp02)

Measurement of oxygen saturation levels in peripheral tissue blood using a light sensor probe on a finger.

Normal Sp02 Reading

Between 93% and 100% (Readings under 90% must be reported to the nurse immediately).

Intake

Total amount of fluid and food consumed by a patient (fluids measured in milliliters).

Output

Total amount of waste produced by a patient, including urine (measured in mL), stool, and bowel movement characteristics.

Measuring Bedfast Patient Height

Height measured while flat in bed using a flexible measuring tape.

Bony Prominences

Areas where bone is close to skin surface (lower back, elbows, heels) where body weight creates pressure; high risk for pressure ulcers.

Pressure Ulcers

Skin breakdown/sores caused by prolonged pressure on bony prominences, especially in immobile patients.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLS)

Routine daily self-care tasks such as eating, bathing, dressing, transferring. and walking.