Hey, CNAs.......got a question for all of you!

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My daughter is taking a CNA course through her ROP program. This week they're learning how to take VS, and she said the instructor told them they do NOT need to get stethoscopes. I told her to ask what they're expected to do if the machine does not register a BP for a pt......when I was an aide (back in the dinosaur days!) we were expected to then take it manually. For that I needed a scope. Is this not taught anymore? Her 17th birthday is next week and we were going to get her a scope of her own.

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Specializes in LTC.
My daughter is taking a CNA course through her ROP program. This week they're learning how to take VS, and she said the instructor told them they do NOT need to get stethoscopes. I told her to ask what they're expected to do if the machine does not register a BP for a pt......when I was an aide (back in the dinosaur days!) we were expected to then take it manually. For that I needed a scope. Is this not taught anymore? Her 17th birthday is next week and we were going to get her a scope of her own.

They taught us to take BP with a stethoscope, but we weren't tested on it. I was told that in a lot of LTC facilities CNAs don't take Bps but nurses do. In those facilities where CNAs do take BPs they should have house stethoscopes for CNAs to use as chances are if you bring your own it might walk away.

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Specializes in ER, Teaching, HH, CM, QC, OB, LTC.

In the NA 1 course where I teach the students learn manual BP assessment. It is also one of the measurment skills that the student might have for state testing.

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When I worked in LTC facilities and hospitals we always used automatuc BP machines. If there was a BP that would not register then I usually just asked to borrow my nurse's stethoscope and took the BP manually. It is not really necessary for an aid to have their own scope b/c they rarely need one. If you do buy her one for her birthday don't buy an expensive one. You can easily get her a nice one for well under twenty dollars. Tell her good luck for me! Being an aid in an LTC facility is very hard work. She should make it her goal to get into a hospital ASAP the work is easier and the pay is usually quite a bit more! Cheers.

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Ah....I didn't think about it growing legs. okay, maybe we'll wait until she goes to nursing school before getting her one. Thanks.

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Joeydog, she knows she'll have to do LTC time before getting into acute care. I know what you mean about cost, I have never spent more than $20-25 for mine. Thanks for the encouragement, I'll pass it on to her.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm not quite at the same level as a CNA, i'm a tech (not state certified, just specific to the hospital i work at), but during my training we were never taught how to do a manual BP. We were only taught how to use the machines. When I do encounter the problem of needing a manual BP, I'll ask the nurse to do it or borrow her scope. Like everyone else said, if you are going to buy her one, don't make it an expensive one.

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Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.

I was a nurse assistant for 10 years before becoming an RN this year. When I was in my Nursing assistant class 10 years ago, I don't remember being mandated having a stethoscope. However, we have to use one during learning how to use manual blood pressure. Normally, in the hospitals, we used automatic blood pressure machines to take patients blood pressures. Normally as a nurse aide, if the pressure is too high or low, the RNs re-checks the patient's blood pressure. I seldom remember using stethoscope for bp checks in the last 10 years. Although it's not required, it's not bad having one just in case. who knows, she might get interested in becoming an RN someday:-).

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Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.

I'd hesitate to succumb to technology so completely, as emergencies can and do happen. My nursing instructor was telling me how nurses were scrambling to remember how to calculate gravity IV drops during Hurricane Katrina. As much as I'd love to switch to automatic blood pressure cuffs (esp with elders who can't remember your request to please sit still and be quiet 15 seconds ago), I don't ever want to be unable to perform my work in case of a power outage or when supplies are rationed. Get her a stethoscope, see if you can borrow a sphygmomanometer, and teach her how to do it manually. It will come in use someday.

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Tazzi, your daughter's instructor is doing a big disservice to those she is supposed to teach.

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Tazzi, your daughter's instructor is doing a big disservice to those she is supposed to teach.

I definitely agree that everyone should learn to do manual bp's.

As to having their own stethoscope, why the heck not?

steph

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who knows, she might get interested in becoming an RN someday:-).

She's already planning on nursing school. She wants to work as a CNA in the meantime.

Get her a stethoscope, see if you can borrow a sphygmomanometer, and teach her how to do it manually.

They are learning how to do it manually, I just didn't understand the "you don't need to buy a scope" part.

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