Nursing Assistant Monthly Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Honing your observation skills The CNA detective December 2011

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. December 2011Honing your observation skills Types of CNA duties  Hands on care  Observation of residents  Communication

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. December 2011Honing your observation skills Observation is our focus Why is CNA observation important?  CNAs spend more time with residents than anyone else  Nurses are busy with treatments and paperwork  CNAs can pick up on clues early, possibly preventing a small problem from getting worse

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. December 2011Honing your observation skills What does it take? Being a good observer means:  Having awareness of the importance of being a good observer  Being able to focus on the resident  Having caregiving knowledge — what to look for  Communicating your observations (is it urgent or not?)

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. December 2011Honing your observation skills Focus, focus, focus!  Leave your problems at the door –Easier said than done sometimes, but it’s important! –Seek help if your personal problems interfere with work  Take care of yourself –Refresh yourself both physically and emotionally –Helps you to have energy for your work life

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. December 2011Honing your observation skills Caregiving knowledge  CNAs need knowledge to do the job well –What is normal? (Blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate, skin color, etc.) –What is normal FOR THIS RESIDENT? Example: a resident who always knows your name suddenly does not seem to know who you are  What do your observations mean? –Report changes –Report abnormal signs and symptoms

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. December 2011Honing your observation skills Be objective and descriptive  Avoid giving your opinion –NOT CORRECT “Mr. Jones is in a bad mood.” –CORRECT “Mr. Jones refused a bath, and said, ‘Leave me alone!’”  Describe what you see –Skin, color, temperature, dry/moist –Resident’s reactions to moving body parts –Watch for changes

Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. December 2011Honing your observation skills Reporting your observations  Reporting can be verbal or written –Flowsheets, notes, temperature graph –Follow your facility’s policies about documenting  If it is urgent –Tell the nurse immediately –Trust your instincts!