How do you answer multiple call bells at once?

CoffeemateCNA · Mar 14, 2011

You can't answer them all at once. *Technically*, you should answer each one and tell them that you'll be with them shortly (you want to make sure no one is in danger or has fallen), then prioritize. Obviously, the person who needs to go the bathroom needs to be taken care of before the person who wants a cherry popsicle for the 6th time that day. In practice, I usually already have a good idea of what people want as soon as they put the light on, so I answer accordingly.

KareBear0609 · Mar 14, 2011

You will learn over time who usually needs what. Some people will push their call light because they want their meds (which the nurse already knows and they aren't supposed to get it for another two hours - so that call light can wait), or the people who want to use the phone (that can wait as well - because usually the phone is dead anyway), etc. Then you will have the ones who will wheel themselves into the bathroom and pull the cord and you know they are first because they have an alarm. You will just learn, with time, who needs what. Sometimes you can put someone on the toliet, tell them to pull the cord when they're done, and go anwser another call light or two. Of course, the ones who are alarms can't be left alone on the toliet.

Qbert · Mar 14, 2011

This question is often asked in interviews to determine your judgment and prioritizing skills.

I'd always pick the one with the higher acuity (vent, trach, bedrest, high risk fall, etc) over a patient who is alert and ambulatory and wants pain meds.

Hope this helps.

fuzzywuzzy, CNA · Mar 14, 2011

I don't. I answer one and then while I deal with that, my coworkers can get the other ones or the people can wait. I've found that people get annoyed when you shut off the bell and say you'll be right back, especially if you get caught up with something else. As you get used to working at a place you'll usually know what people want before you ask, and obviously the fall risk who gets up by herself to go to the bathroom comes before the more able-bodied lady who has already gone to the bathroom 8 times in the last 2 hours or the person who asked for tissues 5 minutes ago and you haven't brought them yet.

JDZ344 · Mar 14, 2011

Well, it would depend on what was happening with the patients. Someone who was a high falls risk I would answer over the patient who will just want their tea stirred 13 times anti-clockwise or something because if that falls risk person wants the bathroom, there is a chance they will just get up and try to go.

I answer one, see what they want, and if it';s not something that needs immediate attention, I check what person #2 wants straight after and then go from there.

Really, you get to know which patients will need answering first.

Qbert · Mar 15, 2011

will just want their tea stirred 13 times anti-clockwise

I said 14!

*throws cup on floor*

Try again!

yousoldtheworld · Mar 15, 2011

This was one of the things I hated about geriatrics! I don't have a lot of patience for call lights (not gonna lie here, I just don't). Yeah, it's fine when people are calling because they need something, but just as often it's just someone who is bored and wants attention for a minute...which I can understand and sympathize, but we just don't have time for. Luckily, I don't have call lights anymore :D:D.

BUT, when I do/did, I would just answer them as I could. As others have said, prioritize by importance. The fall risk/people who need to be taken to the bathroom get my attention first, the people who generally call for things like water, an extra blanket, to have their pillows fluffed, etc. get answered after.

Like fuzzy said, I do avoid answering them all then telling them I'll be back. They tend to get that a lot and it makes a lot of residents agitated. "Yeah, that's what the last girl said", "YOU SAID THAT 5 MINUTES AGO!!" "Everyone always tells me that and never comes back", etc etc etc. You do get to the point where you know what most people are going to want before you even go into their rooms, and it makes the prioritizing easier.

sarabellum1 · Mar 17, 2011

Thanks everyone! I was right on point then in my interview! I just needed to hear how others would answer that...and I appreciate the advice as well since I am a semi-new CNA. I totally agree with what Fuzzy said about telling them that I will be with them shortly, because I have had patients tell me, " That's what you girls always say!" or "I always have to wait for you to take care of other people!". Fuzzy speaks the truth, but I don't think that's what a prospective employer would want to hear coming out of my mouth..lol! Gosh if we could only be completely honest to the people that hire us! If anyone can think of any other questions that stumped them during an interview...I would LOVE to hear them too! Thanks again!

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

At my last job, sometimes I would have 4 call lights going off @ once! And would anyone answer them? No. In fact the nurse supervisor would come into a room( and would see i'm busy cleaning someone who has VERY bad diarrhea) and say "You know you have call lights going off". Really? I wouldn't have known! :rolleyes: /end sarc.

A lot of times, they wanted something like to be placed on the toilet. I would put them on, tell them to put on the light when they were done, and go answer the call light. It's hard @ first, but you will get the hang of it.

sarabellum1 · Mar 17, 2011

MiiszKim, I had a nurse do the same thing to me too! I was ready to punch her in the face! (ok not really but it would've made me feel better!) Oh the nerve of that lady.