Cardiac Emergencies
A resident suddenly becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally. What emergency should you suspect?
Cardiac arrest
The resident is unresponsive and not breathing normally. This is an emergency requiring immediate action.
One side of a resident's face suddenly droops. What emergency should you suspect?
Stroke
A resident suddenly loses consciousness and begins having uncontrolled jerking movements. What is happening?
A seizure
A resident cannot speak, cough, or breathe and is clutching their throat. What emergency is occurring?
Severe choking
A resident has a laceration on their forearm and blood is flowing steadily. What should the CNA do?
Apply appropriate direct pressure with a clean/sterile dressing or gauze and notify the nurse/emergency personnel according to the severity and facility protocol.
What should a CNA do first if a resident becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally?
Activate the emergency response system and get help/AED; begin appropriate emergency response according to training and facility protocol.
The CNA should not simply wait for the nurse to arrive.
Name two signs or symptoms of a stroke.
What should a CNA never do during a seizure?
Never restrain the resident or put anything in their mouth.
Other appropriate actions include protecting the resident from injury, moving nearby objects, cushioning the head if possible, and observing the seizure.
What should a CNA do when a conscious resident is experiencing severe choking?
Activate emergency response and provide appropriate choking first aid according to CNA training/facility protocol.
For a conscious adult with severe airway obstruction, this generally involves abdominal thrusts, with chest thrusts used in certain circumstances.
A resident has a history of falls. Name two interventions a CNA can use to help prevent another fall.
Keep the call light within reach, keep the bed in the appropriate low position, keep the environment free of clutter, provide appropriate footwear, assist with transfers/ambulation, use prescribed assistive devices, and follow the care plan.
A resident complains of chest pressure, becomes pale and sweaty, and has difficulty breathing. What should the CNA do?
Report/activate emergency response immediately and stay with the resident.
Possible heart attack symptoms include chest pressure/pain, sweating, pallor, nausea, and dyspnea.
What does FAST help you recognize?
F = Face drooping
A = Arm weakness
S = Speech difficulty
T = Time to call for emergency help
After a seizure ends, what position may help protect the resident's airway if they are breathing?
Side-lying/recovery position, when appropriate and if the resident is breathing.
This can help maintain an open airway and allow secretions to drain.
What is aspiration, and why is it dangerous?
Aspiration = material such as food, liquid, saliva, or vomit entering the airway/lungs.
It can cause airway obstruction, respiratory problems, or aspiration pneumonia.
A resident begins walking toward an exit and says, "I'm going home." The resident has a history of dementia and is at risk for elopement. What should the CNA do?
Stay with the resident, use calm redirection, notify the appropriate staff, and follow the facility's elopement precautions.
A resident suddenly collapses. You cannot find a pulse and they are not breathing normally. What emergency procedure may be required?
CPR
If cardiac arrest is suspected, CPR and an AED may be needed according to the CNA's training, facility protocol, and emergency response system.
A resident suddenly has trouble speaking and weakness in the right arm. What should you do—even if the symptoms disappear after a few minutes?
Activate emergency response/report immediately.
Stroke symptoms require rapid medical evaluation. Even if symptoms disappear, the situation should be reported immediately.
A resident begins having a seizure while standing. What is the safest immediate response?
Protect the resident from injury.
For example, help them to the floor if possible, clear objects away, protect their head, and stay with them. Do not restrain them.
Name two things a CNA can do to help prevent aspiration.
A resident falls while transferring from the bed to a wheelchair. They say, "I'm fine. Help me up." What should the CNA do?
Do not immediately lift the resident. Stay with them, call the nurse/help, assess/report according to training and facility procedure, and follow the facility's post-fall protocol.
Put these actions in the correct order: activate emergency response, assess responsiveness/breathing, begin CPR if indicated, use an AED when available.
Correct sequence:
A resident suddenly develops facial drooping, arm weakness, and slurred speech. The resident says, "I'm okay. I don't want you to call anyone." What should the CNA do?
Activate emergency response immediately.
The resident's refusal does not mean the CNA should simply ignore potentially life-threatening symptoms. The CNA should follow facility policy and immediately notify the appropriate medical/emergency personnel.
A resident has been having a seizure for several minutes. What makes this situation especially concerning, and what should the CNA do?
A prolonged seizure can be a medical emergency.
The CNA should activate emergency response/notify the appropriate personnel immediately according to facility protocol.
A resident with swallowing difficulties repeatedly coughs while eating. What should the CNA do to reduce the risk of aspiration?
Stop the meal and report the problem to the nurse/appropriate healthcare professional.
Repeated coughing while eating may indicate difficulty swallowing and increased aspiration risk. The CNA should not independently change the resident's diet or diagnose dysphagia.
A CNA notices a resident with very fragile skin is developing a skin tear every time the resident is transferred. What should the CNA do to help prevent further injury?
Use proper transfer techniques and prescribed equipment, avoid pulling on the resident's skin, follow the care plan, and report the repeated skin tears to the nurse.