WHAT are a CNA'S duties when caring for a patient with congestive heart failure?

Answer 1

weigh the pt every day at the same time and if the weight gain is more than a couple pounds in a week, notify the RN. Also record the daily weight in a weight record log.
Check the pts blood pressure reading and record it.
notify the nurse if the pt is short of breath and check and record their 02 saturation.
Notify the nurse if the pt stops voiding or is voiding in very small amounts of dark urine
Help the nurse monitor the pt for the pt just feeling poorly and not being his/her self.
record accurate daily intake and output.
help monitor the pts diet, and make sure he/she is not snacking in high sodium foods such as chips, soup, saltine crackers.
Your nurse will so much appreciate this.
PS I am an RN

Answer 2

Well to let you know I've been there and done that. Been a medic at a hospital is a CNA equivelent. But you are definetely the eyes and ears of the nurses. Most of the time nurses are preoccupied with other things and don't really take that extra time with the patients like CNA's do. So mainly you want to take daily weights, monitor I's and O's, vitals, etc. Some of the stuff you should definetely watch out for are: progression of orthopnea (thats when the patient can't lay down straight because of the severe trouble breathing. So see if the patient progressively adds more pillows and has to increase their elevation angle while sleeping.); also take note of their pulses (with CHF sometimes you will actually see pulses like in the carotid beat. So make a note and see if the pulsations get farther away from the heart i.e. from carotid to radial to pedal etc. This is a very bad sign! ; next make sure they take their meds and are urinating frequently. And lastly and most importantly COMFORT. Usually with CHF patients are on their last leg and don't have to much time on earth left so please make it a rememberable one!
Being a CNA is a tough path, and very underappreciated, from someone who's been there and done that you got my respect!!!

Answer 3

A CNA has pretty much the same duties regardless of the diagnosis. My CNA took vitals, changed linens, did the hygeine duties, and reported to the nurse if I requested food or painkiller.

If you are talking about a CNA that will come to your home, they usually will take vitals, change the linens and help bathe the patient - not much else.

Answer 4

Bed pans, change sheets, sponge baths, etc.

A CNA is a glorified candy-striper and an LPN is not much more than that in the CCU or ICU setting.

Answer 5

First to determine what CNA means

Answer 6

Sponge baths, wiping azz, changing diapers if they have them, and emptying shti pans. Don't think you got a more important job than that. Oh, well, you do get to help the REAL nurses.