CNA 1- Module C (The Resident’s Environment: Safety and Emergency

Safety in the resident’s environment

When a resident has little risk of illness lr injury in the environment to which he/she lives

Hazard

Anything in the resident’s environment that may cause illness or injury

Ex: burns,poisoning,suffocation,equipment, fire, falls

Safety in the Resident’s Environment- importance

OBRA (1987)- safety is a basic resident need and residents are at great risk for accidents and falls

True or False: Elderly are at Risk for Injury

True: elderly are at greater risk for injury because:

* knee joint instability
* Decreased strength
* Slower movement
* Medication side effetcs, such as dizziness, drowsiness, etc…
* Low blood pressure
* Impaired coordination
* Hearing impaired
* Reduced sense of smell and touch
* Visual impairements
* Cognitive impairements

What to do when oxygen is in use

* post oxygen in Use signs
* Never have open flames
* No smoking in area
* Do not use electrical equipment in room without facility approval

Important things to remember

* provide care to right resident
* Keep bed in lowest position except when giving bedside
* Keep call signal within easy reach
* Arrange resident’s room for convenience to the resident; fosters independence
* OBRA - 71 degrees F to 81 degrees F for room temperature
* Lock wheelchair before moving resident into or out of it
* Be careful of feet when transporting residents in wheelchairs
* Consider over-bed table a clean area
* Respect resident’s full visual privacy

Def of a fall

Any sudden ,uncontrollable descent from a higher level to a lower level which may result in injury

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How many elderly fall

1 in 4 people aged 65+ falls each year(National Council on Aging)

* every 11 seconds, they go to the ER for s fall
* Every 19 mins, they die from a fall
* Leading cause of fatal injury
* Also most common nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions

Fall Prevention program components

* assessing residents for risk of falling
* Identifying/implementing interventions to minimize risk
* Identifying/implementing interventions to minimize risk of sustaining an injury as a result of a fall

Two types of fall risk

Intrinsic and extrinsic

Intrinsic risk factor

* over 65+, effects of aging on balance and gait
* Medical conditions and diseases
* Decline in function due to inactivity
* Effects and side-effects of medications

Extrinsic risk factor

* hazards of the environment( poor lighting, clutter, wet floor)
* Equipment that is unsafe(wheelchair brakes not working
* Unsafe or inaccessible personal items(shoes that don’t fit )

Preventing falls devices

Assistive devices- gait belts,canes, and walkers

Handrails- located in hallways and stairways

Grab bars - located in bathrooms and shower/tub rooms

Wheel locks - located on beds ,wheelchairs and stretchers

Beds that lower to the floor

Elopement

when a resident leaves a healthcare facility without the staff’s knowledge

* at risk for exposure to heat or cold, drowning, getting by a car, dehydration
* Facility must have a plan in case a resident elopes

How to prevent elopement

* identify residents at risk for elopement (resident who has a history of wandering
* Tech - looked road doors with staff keypads; cameras at exits; (wonder guard) combination resident bracelet/door alarm when resident nears the door

Cerebrovascular Accident

Aka a stroke- occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked or blood vessel leaks/breaks in a part if the brain

CVA acronym

B- Balance: loss of balance or dizziness

E- Eyes: blurred vision

F- Face: one side of face is drooping

A-Arms: arm(or leg) weakness

S-Speech: speech difficulty

T-Time: time to call 911 except in a nursing home

Seizure

Involuntary contractions of muscles; small area or entire body; caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain

CNA role during a seizure

1. Note time of start and stop of seizure
2. Send for supervisor, but do not leave resident alone
3. Put gloves on
4. Cradle head to protect it
5. Loosen clothing

do not attempt to restrain resident

do not force anything in resident’s mouth
6. Turn resident on side if there are no injuries are suspected

Conscious choking

Encourage resident to cough as forcefully as possible

Ask someone to get nurse

Stay with person

Follow facility’s procedures for clearing an obstructed airway

How to prevent choking

Identify the resident before feeding them

Sit resident upright to eat

Provide assistance at mealtime to prevent spilling hot liquids

Encourage resident to use dentures when eating

Assist resident by cutting food in small pieces

Report any difficulty in chewing or swallowing

How to detect a fire

Needs three things to start -

* heat
* Fuel
* Oxygen

can be prevented or doused by removing one of these

Facility fire safety plan

* in-services about fires and evacuation
* Evacuation routes posted
* Fire extinguishers throughout the facility
* Must review the fire safety plan and know your role

Fire safety acronym

R-Remove residents from danger

A- Activate alarm

C- Contain the fire by closing all doors and windows, if possible

E-Extinguish the fire, or the fire department will extinguish it

FIRE Extinguisher acronym

P-Pull the pin

A-Aim at the base of the fire when spraying

S-Squeeze the handle

S-Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire