I got a job...but what is it?? :)

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I got offered a job as a CNA while in Nursing school. It's in the Cardio-Pulm-Thoracic unit. Could someone fill me in on what goes on there and what some of my duties might entail? I don't have an orientation of the unit unitil next week and I am anxious and excited!! Thanks so much!!!!

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I can't honestly say for sure, but my guess would be just basic care. Helping with baths, linen changes, etc...

I wish you the best of luck!

Julie:)

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Baths, linens, stocking suppplies, possibly taking vital signs/doing blood sugar checks/phlebotomy, feeding, walking pts, helping turn pts...

I did things like this when I was an aid, but I was never technically a CNA, so I'm not totally sure what you might be doing.

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Oh, good luck and have fun!

:)

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I think she might be asking what kind of patients she will be dealing with? Illness etc?

I not sure, sorry

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Thanks for all the replies! I was wondering what kind of patients a Cardio-Pulm-thoracic unit has though. I know what body systems are involved but was wondering if they are pts from surgeries, whether pre or post op, stuff like that. This is one unit I really have no clue about! :)

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I think you'll have patients with Congestive Heart Failure and Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disorder. Your nurses will be focusing a lot on lung sounds ( crackles, wheezes), edema, and peripheral pulses. A weakened heart causes the swelling in the legs and congestion in the lungs. Chronic lung disease weakens the heart. You'll see a lot of emphasis on Intake and Output. Those heart patients get a lot of Lasix (fursemide) which causes them to diurese ( lose water) and breathe easier. Hope this helps!

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you will probably have patients following surgery, possibly open heart surgery, people with trachs, thoracotomies, chf, copd (this is what the floor simalarily named deals with

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Specializes in Hospice, Critical Care.

Cardio-Thoracic to me means big chest surgeries. Because they threw in Pulmonary too I'm assuming you'll have patients in there for respiratory failure, non-surgical. Sounds like a great unit! I love cardio-thoracic!

Aides in our intensive care unit take temperatures (rest of the vitals is on the monitor), help with bathing or do complete baths, stock the unit, run specimens to lab and get supplies from central (when things are stat and courier isn't on rounds), assists in turning and positioning patients, feed the few patients that are actually able to eat but need assistance, fill water pitchers...and a variety of things like that. We love our aides! You'll get great experience on this unit; lots of things to see! You'll learn just by being around it all.

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