Have some clinical questions to ask...

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Aug 27, 2009

Yeah, it would be great to ask if anyone else needs help. Or you could ask your CNA if there are any chores to do- stocking the rooms with gloves, stocking linen carts, folding laundry, emptying trash, etc. Maybe if any residents are still awake you could practice ROM or do nail care.

If someone doesn't respond when you ask them what they want to eat, ask a yes or no question- "Do you want a bite of peas?" If they still don't respond, just say "Okay, here's some potatoes" or whatever. If they don't like it, they'll spit it out. Or hit you. Or whatever. lol. If someone is having a hard time loading the spoon or getting it to reach their mouth, you can do it for them. The CNAs probably just do it all for them, hand-over-hand is probably the best way.

tavia_yeung · Aug 28, 2009

Thanks very much fuzzywuzzy for the replies b/c it's very helpful to me, I'll use your tips for tomorrow @ clinical.

lorelei1973 · Aug 30, 2009

If the CNA you're assigned to has nothing to do, he or she will likely take a break. We were told we should break at the same time. But sure, considering how short staffed most LTC's are, it's never a bad idea to stroll the halls and see if anyone needs help. If there are call lights lit up, most definitely check on the patients. On my last night of clinicals I found myself in the position of being on my own. I discovered a resident on the floor, and this resident is on hospice care and quite confused. He pulled his oxygen tube out, and was in bad shape, so if I hadn't shown up, I don't know what would have happened to him. I got help, we got him back in bed, got his O2 going, and I patted his forehead and face with a wet washcloth (I discovered this really helped him calm down a few nights earlier). So, you just don't know how your presence might make a critical difference when your CNA is off the floor.

As far as feeding, if you have any questions about feeding a particular resident, ASK the staff who are familiar. Some of the residents have peculiar ways that they'll take food, and there's no way you can know that unless someone tells you. I had a resident who wouldn't eat unless all her food was put into sandwich form, then she would eat it all. Ravioli sandwiches are messy, but hey, whatever works. She didn't speak, so whoever it was that figured her out, more power to them.

I felt like many of the regular CNAs felt compelled to force feed the patients if I was unable to get them interested in taking a spoonful of anything. It made me feel kind of stupid, like I wasn't trying hard enough. My concern was more that they get at least an adequate amount of food and liquid, not necessarily eat and drink 100%. If they showed me with their gestures or told me flat out that they didn't like the food or weren't going to eat anything else, I respected that. Then some CNA would come up behind me and start shoveling food in their faces. That seemed to border on abuse, but I just chalked it up to my not knowing the residents that well. Heck, if my life consisted of sitting in a wheelchair or lying in bed most of the day, I doubt I would have much appetite either.

Make yourself useful without being pushy. Always ask for help when you're unsure how to handle any situation. The CNAs will appreciate you for being there to help them out, and you won't threaten their egos or expertise if you don't start telling them that you think they're wrong. Most of what I saw in clinicals was very "wrong" compared to the classroom training, but you'll have time after clinicals to practice and study and get back on track to take the state test with any luck.

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Aug 30, 2009

My clinical instructor want us to offer assistance to CNAs and to other classmates. As for feeding a nonverbal patients, they'll either keep their lips tightly shut or spit the food out if they don't want anymore food. If they are eating, I'll give them sips of water or juice between every couple of bites. I try to give them a little bit of everything.