CNA Patient Care Study Notes

Patient Bathing Protocol

  • Understanding Bathing Frequency

    • Check with the patient for personal preference on bathing frequency.

    • Some patients may prefer to bathe once a week

    • Others may prefer every two weeks

  • Permission Before Bathing

    • Always ask the patient for permission before proceeding with bathing.

Reporting Observations

  • Observing During Bathing

    • If anything unusual is noticed on the patient's body:

    • Immediately report the observation.

    • Document details such as location and specifics of the finding.

Disinfection of Bathing Areas

  • Disinfecting Shared Shower Facilities

    • Understand the process of disinfecting showerheads and chairs in shared facilities, especially when servicing multiple patients (e.g., 10 beds).

Personal Hygiene: Perineal Care

  • Perineal Care for Females

    • Purpose:

    • To clean folds and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

    • UTI Prevention

    • Importance of perineal hygiene to prevent UTIs.

Circumcision Awareness in Male Care

  • Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised Care

    • Circumcision:

    • Removal of the foreskin from the penis.

    • Uncircumcised Definition:

    • Presence of the foreskin over the penis.

    • Care for Uncircumcised Males:

    • Retract the foreskin during cleaning and ensure it is returned to its proper position to prevent constriction, which can affect blood flow.

Hair and Shaving Protocols

  • Brushing Hair

    • Brush tangled hair starting from the ends and moving up.

  • Shaving Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

    • Follow specific techniques to ensure safety and comfort for patients with cognitive impairment.

Dressing and Undressing Procedures

  • Assisting Weak Patients

    • Dressing: Start from the weak side.

    • Undressing: Also start from the weak side.

    • Importance of understanding the correct procedure for dressing and undressing.

Equipment for Hygiene Practices

  • Personal Items to Bring for Class

    • Each student is advised to bring their own clean towel for face washing and a toothbrush.

  • Facial Hygiene

    • Use a separate towel dedicated solely for face cleaning.

Gloves Usage Guidelines

  • When to Wear Gloves

    • Always use gloves when handling personal care tasks that involve bodily fluids or risk of contamination (e.g., oral care, foot care).

Daily Care for Patients

  • Brushing Patient's Hair

    • Recommended to brush hair daily, or as often as desired by the patient.

Safety During Patient Transfers

  • Dangling Feet Before Standing

    • Purpose: To prevent blood pressure fluctuations when transitioning from lying down to standing.

Patient Moving Techniques

  • Positioning During Bed Transfers

    • When moving a resident up in bed, place the pillow at the side or at the headboard to prevent injury when raising them.

  • Transferring to a Wheelchair

    • Lock the wheelchair prior to transfer.

    • If a patient starts to fall, do not attempt to prevent the fall; instead, assist them safely to the ground.

Restraint Protocols

  • Monitoring Patients with Restraints

    • Check on restrained patients every 15 minutes for circulation and comfort.

    • Restraints should not be used longer than 12 hours unless specified by a physician.

Patient Care Plans

  • Repositioning Protocol

    • Patients should be repositioned every two hours.

    • For heavier patients (e.g., 300-400 pounds), ask for assistance.

Movement and Flexibility Exercises

  • Understanding Passive vs. Active Range of Motion

    • Be aware of the differences; active range of motion involves voluntary movement, while passive range of motion does not.

Oral Hygiene Care

  • Teeth Brushing Techniques

    • Positioning for effective care, especially for patients who may be comatose.

    • Make sure to check water temperature for bed baths to ensure it is within a safe range.

Safety Measures in Care

  • Use of Gait Belts

    • Proper usage of a gait belt

    • Ensure the patient's safety during mobility tasks.

Risk Factors and Fall Prevention

  • Understanding Fall Risks

    • Identify patients who are likely to fall and implement safety measures.

Important Vocabulary for Nursing Assistants

  • Terms to Know

    • Restraints

    • Dandruff

    • Alopecia

    • Scabies

    • Hygiene

    • Aspiration

    • Dentures

    • Safety razor

    • Bath blanket

Study Recommendations

  • Be prepared for theoretical questions regarding all topic areas discussed.

  • Review the care plan details and ensure understanding of all procedures outlined for patient care.