As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), you play a crucial role in the healthcare industry ecosystem. In many cases, you are the first responder in the event of a medical emergency, especially those that occur in assisted living or elderly care facilities.
Both preparation and training are essential for you to properly aid in these critical situations. In this blog post, we'll provide comprehensive information on how to handle medical emergencies as a CNA, so that you can provide the highest level of care to your patients.
1. Understand Your Role and Responsibilities
Before we dive into the specifics of handling medical emergencies, it's essential to understand your role and responsibilities as a CNA. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, you are responsible for providing a wide range of patient care, from assisting with bathing and dressing to stocking medical supplies and dispensing medication. It is, therefore, essential that you follow proper procedures and protocols, communicate effectively with patients and their families, and document any and all patient-related incidents.
2. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Confronting a medical emergency can be very intimidating. For this reason, the first and most important step is to stay calm and assess the situation. Take a few deep breaths and do your best to evaluate the nature and severity of the emergency. This will help you determine the best course of action. Remember that your ability to remain calm and level-headed can dramatically affect the outcome of the emergency. Panic, on the other hand, can hinder your ability to think clearly and act decisively.
Here are some common medical emergencies you may encounter as a CNA include:
| Medical Emergency | Signs and Symptoms |
| Heart Attack | Chest pain that feels like pressure, tightness, or squeezing, shortness of breath, cold sweating, nausea or indigestion, dizziness or lightheadedness, pain or discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw, or back, fatigue. |
| Stroke | Sudden & weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg (usually on one side of the body), confusion, trouble speaking or understanding what others say, vision problems in one or both eyes, dizziness or loss of balance, difficulty walking, severe headache |
| Choking | Difficulty breathing or talking, grasping at throat, coughing, gagging, wheezing, blue or grey skin, lips, or nails, loss of consciousness |
| Seizure | Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms or legs, loss of consciousness, staring spells, confusion, déjà vu, sudden falling or stumbling |
| Allergic Reaction | Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, hives or rash, difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting |
| Diabetic Emergency | High or low blood sugar, excessive thirst or hunger, frequent urination, confusion or disorientation, weakness or fatigue, seizures, or loss of consciousness |
| Head Injury | Loss of consciousness, dizziness or loss of balance, headache, vomiting, confusion or disorientation, slurred speech, ringing in the ears, blurry vision |
| Breathing Difficulties | Shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing, chest pain or tightness, blue or grey skin, loss of consciousness |
Once you have assessed the situation, it's time to take action.
3. Call for Help
The next step is to call for help. This may include calling for backup from other CNAs, calling for a nurse or doctor, or calling 911 if necessary. Be sure to relay all of the essential details when asking for assistance, including the patient's name, age, and the nature of the emergency.
Even if you're unsure whether the situation requires emergency medical services, remember that it's always best to be overly cautious and call for help. It's always better to have help on the way and not need it than to need it and not have it.
4. Administer First Aid
While you wait for help to arrive, it may be necessary to administer first aid to the patient. This may include performing CPR, applying pressure to stop bleeding, or, in some situations, providing medication. Always make sure you are following proper procedures and protocols when administering first aid.
- Check the scene to make sure there is no immediate danger.
- Obtain consent
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- If the person appears unresponsive, check for breathing, bleeding, or other life-threatening conditions.
- Do not ask the person to move if you suspect a head, neck, or spinal injury.
- Do not ask the person to move any parts of their body experiencing discomfort or pain.
Remember that you should only perform first aid procedures that you have been trained to do. If you are unsure about how to perform a particular procedure, do not attempt it.
5. Provide Emotional Support
Medical emergencies can be traumatic for both the patients and their families. As a CNA, it's part of your duty to provide emotional support during and after the emergency. This means staying calm, offering reassurance, and communicating important information to the patient and their loved ones. It's also important that you take the time to explain what is happening and what steps are being taken. Patients and their families will likely be anxious and scared. You should endeavor to be calm and provide helpful information.
6. Document the Incident
After the emergency has been resolved, be sure to document the incident carefully. This should include noting the time of the emergency, what happened, and what actions were taken to resolve the situation. Such documentation will be important for future reference and may also be necessary for legal purposes. You also need to make sure to carefully document any injuries sustained by the patient, as well as any medications or treatments that were administered.
7. Follow-up and Debrief
You will also need to follow up with the patient and their family at the appropriate time. There is no specific rule stating when this should take place, but sooner is generally better. As a CNA, you should avoid trying to follow up when RNs, Doctors, or other emergency staff are still treating the patient. During the debrief, provide any necessary aftercare instructions, and answer any questions the patient or family may have.
It's also important to debrief with the other healthcare professionals involved in the emergency response. This allows you to discuss what went well and what could have been improved. Ultimately, it's an opportunity for everyone learn from the experience and make any necessary changes to their emergency response procedures.
Conclusion
Handling medical emergencies as a CNA can be stressful, but with proper preparation and training, you can be well-equipped to handle most situations. Remember to stay calm, assess the situation, call for help, and administer first aid if necessary. Throughout the emergency, do your best to provide emotional support to both the patient and the family, but stay out of the way of any emergency personnel. Finally, once the incident is over, make sure to follow up and debrief with the other healthcare professionals involved, the family, and the patient themselves.
By following these steps, you can provide effective and efficient care during medical emergencies, which can make all the difference in the patient's outcome. Remember that medical emergencies can happen at any time, so it's essential to stay up to date on your training and always be vigilant for signs of a potential emergency. As a CNA, you play a vital role in the healthcare industry, and your ability to handle a wide range of medical emergencies is essential to providing the best possible care for your patients and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about how to handle medical emergencies as a CNA:
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What should I do first in a medical emergency?
The first step in a medical emergency is to stay calm and assess the situation. This will help you determine the best course of action.
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What kind of first aid can I provide as a CNA?
As a CNA, you may be trained to provide basic first aid, such as applying bandages or administering CPR. However, it's important to follow proper protocols and to call in help from more experienced professionals or emergency services.
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What should I do if a patient is choking?
If the choking person can cough, encourage them to do so. If the object is visible in the mouth, attempt to remove it. If the airway is blocked, give up to 5 blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand or perform the Heimlich maneuver. If the patient is unable to breathe or becomes unconscious, call for help and begin CPR if necessary.
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How can I prevent medical emergencies from occurring?
Preventative measures such as maintaining a clean and safe environment, following infection control procedures, and monitoring patients for changes in condition can help prevent medical emergencies. Additionally, educating patients on healthy habits and self-care can help reduce the risk of medical emergencies.
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What should I do after a medical emergency?
After a medical emergency, it's important to document the incident, follow up with the patient and their family, and debrief with other healthcare professionals involved. Providing emotional support to the patient and their family can also be helpful in the aftermath of a medical emergency.
