Communicate
The NA should always face the resident as much as possible while they're providing care to promote this:
Senses are used to make these: (HINT: they need to be reported to the nurse)
What are observations?
After this, the following needs to be documented:
When, why, about what, to whom
What is oral report?
The inability to control the bladder or bowels
What is incontinence?
The number one way to stop the transmission of infection
What is handwashing?
Involves the sender sending a message, the receiver receiving the message, and the receiver providing feedback
What is the three-step communication model?
The sense involved in recognizing resident's body/breath, or urine odor
What is smell?
Falls, chest pain, severe headache, difficulty breathing, abnormal VS, change in mental status are a few examples of this
What are occurrences that need to be reported immediately
The abbreviation meaning "as necessary"
What is PRN?
Basic tasks that healthcare workers must do when caring for each resident to prevent & control spread of infection. Includes: treating all bodily fluids, not intact skin, & mucous membranes as if they are infected
What are standard precautions?
Turning your back during communication, slouching, avoiding eye contact, arm crossing, eye roll, frown
What is negative body language?
Sense used when recognizing resident's facial expressions, skin condition & color, ambulation, body language, and changes in resident's appearance
What is sight?
Information based on what a person sees, hears, touches, or smells, aka signs
What is objective information?
Difficulty understanding what is being communicated verbally
What is receptive aphasia?
This population of people faces increased risk for infection due to these factors: weakened immune systems, decreased circulation, slowed wound healing, malnutrition, dehydration, limited mobility, more frequent hospitalization, incontinence, etc.
Who are the elderly?
Phrases that are used repeatedly & do not really mean anything
What are cliches?
Sense used to feel resident's skin & pulse
What is touch?
This needs to be utilized when voicing resident's complaints
What is the chain of command?
Abbreviation meaning "nothing by mouth"
First link in the chain of infection, also known as the infectious agent
What is the causative agent?
This type of communication can be misunderstood if each person interprets the same word differently
What is verbal communication?
Sense used to recognize resident's words, tone, & breathing as well as cough
What is hearing?
This is the appropriate place to update the nurse about a resident
What is a private room, away from other residents/visitors?
Abbreviation meaning "before meals" and "at bedtime"
ACHS
A bacterium that is spread by spores in feces that are difficult to kill, and is easily spread on the resident & NA's hands
What is C. Difficile?