Just a random question

CoffeemateCNA · Jun 8, 2011

We get report sheets. On one side it has the name, gender, age, room number, allergies, list of medical conditions, etc. On the other side there are handwritten comments such as "uses BSC," "up with assist x2," "incont. B&B," "q2h turn," etc. If they do not make them for you, most of the computer software that facilities use have the ability to print one out (and you can add the handwritten comments by asking about each person while you are receiving report from the previous shift). You could even just make your own with bare minimum info such as room numbers, level of assistance for transfer, continence, etc.

The only reason I ever use toilet paper is to clean out bedpans. I always use wipes or washcloths for peri care. I think washcloths do a better job of cleaning, but they are less sanitary and less convenient than disposable wipes. If you don't know if someone needs help or not, just ask. It's probably more embarrassing for you than it is for them. "Do you need some help getting cleaned up or can you do it yourself?" is all you need to say.

cmm4ever · Jun 9, 2011

Thanks....yeah I have to find out about these report sheets! Maybe I just havent seen it, but it doesnt seem like anyone is giving reports at end of shifts? Im training so idk.

MedChica · Jun 9, 2011

I know this might sound silly, but theres alot I still feel that I dont know. I was at na orientation today, (they cancelled it previously and was supposed to get before working). No wonder why I was like how do you know if this patients is a 2 assist, is able to do stuff on their own, diet, etc. One girl on another floor said they get reports..idk what shes talking about. She said theres something in the computer that tells you everything you need to know about the patient. Im going to try and write everything down if thats possible. I feel like my preceptor that has been with me for most of the time I have been training, is always rushing..and that I dont have time to write. When I go to chart Im like I dont know who is who and what we did etc. I dont know who is training me Friday. Also this might sound like a dumb question but, when someone goes on a bedpan...what do you wipe with? Also if they are on the toilet...how do you know if they can do it...just ask? Do you wipe with toilet paper or a washcloth? Toilet paper seems messy. Sorry if those are dumb questions..just really new to this!!!

Pt on toilet?

- Put pt on toilet.

- Most places have call-lights in the bathroom. Give resident the call-light string and tell them to use it when done.

- Minute you go in there, ask them if they 'are 'done'. 'Did they 'go'. If they can't 'go', they'll tell you.

- If they can't 'go', get them off the toilet and tell the nurse. 'Specially if they can't have a bowel movement.

Bedpans?

Remember, when a resident goes to the bathroom, you do pericare.

You can't do pericare with toilet paper...

What to wipe with? Depends on the facility. Does your facility have wipes? Mine doesn't. They use towels and the pericare wash.

(cheap b*stards)

I have to BUY my wipes...

But, whatever. It's quicker. Easier (for some reason). Wipes clean better and are less work for the laundry crew. We run out of towels by mid-shift.

On Amazon, you can get 650-900 wipes for under $25. I'm partial to HUGGIES.

I have to buy in mass quantity. I can run through a box of 72 wipes in under 3 days.

cmm4ever · Jun 9, 2011

Pt on toilet?
- Put pt on toilet.
- Most places have call-lights in the bathroom. Give resident the call-light string and tell them to use it when done.
- Minute you go in there, ask them if they 'are 'done'. 'Did they 'go'. If they can't 'go', they'll tell you.
- If they can't 'go', get them off the toilet and tell the nurse. 'Specially if they can't have a bowel movement.
Bedpans?
Remember, when a resident goes to the bathroom, you do pericare.
You can't do pericare with toilet paper...
What to wipe with? Depends on the facility. Does your facility have wipes? Mine doesn't. They use towels and the pericare wash.
(cheap b*stards)
I have to BUY my wipes...
But, whatever. It's quicker. Easier (for some reason). Wipes clean better and are less work for the laundry crew. We run out of towels by mid-shift.
On Amazon, you can get 650-900 wipes for under $25. I'm partial to HUGGIES.
I have to buy in mass quantity. I can run through a box of 72 wipes in under 3 days.

When patient is done on toilet...if they cant clean themselves, do you make them stand up to clean them? Im just afraid of someone that might not be able to stand that much (maybe they shouldnt be up to the bathroom then) but you get people like this..and I have seen them up to the bathroom. No wipes that I know of.

Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 9, 2011

Either they will stand up alone, or you will need someone to help you stand them while you clean them up. If they can stand a little bit, I give them a walker to hold onto. Walkers can really help!!

As for cleaning up, I usually use toilet paper to get most of the mess, then finish with a washcloth. I HATE spraying out dirty linen.

Ytellu · Jun 9, 2011

Your post concerns me greatly.

You have said in prior posts that you have no experience as a nursing assistant and you are a recent graduate as a medical assistant.

May I suggest you make a list of everything you do not understand and ask for a meeting ASAP with your nurse manager/supervisor. Tell him/her that you are unsure of the computer charting procedure, how to determine if the patient is a 2 person assist, what is their diet, if they need assistance tolieting ect. Tell him/her that your perceptor is going to fast for you. Your manager will address your concerns with your perceptor and tell them to go over all these issues you have. Remember you're new and still being evaluated and the time to tell them you don't understand is not when you're in the DON's office with them telling you that you are not working up to standards.

What you DON'T want to do is chart when you "dont know who is who and what we did". You DON'T want to move a patient unless you are sure how to do it properly-for their safety and yours. You DON'T want to put a food tray in front of a patient and assume the diet is correct. Know your patients. Caring for them incorrectly is dangerous.

In my hospital when a patient needs a bedpan we cover the bedpan with a chux. It makes it a whole lot easier to clean. We have disposable washclothes but when they run out we will wet a corner of a towel and use that plus you have the dry side of the towel to wipe them dry.

cmm4ever · Jun 9, 2011

Your post concerns me greatly.
You have said in prior posts that you have no experience as a nursing assistant and you are a recent graduate as a medical assistant.
May I suggest you make a list of everything you do not understand and ask for a meeting ASAP with your nurse manager/supervisor. Tell him/her that you are unsure of the computer charting procedure, how to determine if the patient is a 2 person assist, what is their diet, if they need assistance tolieting ect. Tell him/her that your perceptor is going to fast for you. Your manager will address your concerns with your perceptor and tell them to go over all these issues you have. Remember you're new and still being evaluated and the time to tell them you don't understand is not when you're in the DON's office with them telling you that you are not working up to standards.
What you DON'T want to do is chart when you "dont know who is who and what we did". You DON'T want to move a patient unless you are sure how to do it properly-for their safety and yours. You DON'T want to put a food tray in front of a patient and assume the diet is correct. Know your patients. Caring for them incorrectly is dangerous.
In my hospital when a patient needs a bedpan we cover the bedpan with a chux. It makes it a whole lot easier to clean. We have disposable washclothes but when they run out we will wet a corner of a towel and use that plus you have the dry side of the towel to wipe them dry.

I will try to ask my preceptor these questions (I have been with the same person everytime so far besides 1 time) Not sure if she will be there Friday though, when I will be. Is it just me or if your completely new to all this would these be some relevant questions that would normally be asked? We had na orientaion tues/wed...which doesnt make sense because I started Memorial day. They didnt show us everything we needed to know. The things they did kind of show us, 1 person would demonstrate it, and we all just sat and watched..not very helpful. There was maybe 25 of us. Hopefully I can get some answers.

allnurses Guide · Jun 11, 2011

In my hospital when a patient needs a bedpan we cover the bedpan with a chux. It makes it a whole lot easier to clean.

OT, but I have to say...

That is brilliant.

I don't mind cleaning out a pan, but a chux would provide a barrier between the skin and pan. Especially, if you are dealing with a fracture pan.

I haven't heard of that trick and I think I like it.

Always something new to learn.

Cheers.

allnurses Guide · Jun 11, 2011

i will try to ask my preceptor these questions

don't try.

do it.

(i have been with the same person everytime so far besides 1 time) not sure if she will be there friday though, when i will be.

doesn't matter who your preceptor will be.

do it.

is it just me or if your completely new to all this would these be some relevant questions that would normally be asked?

absolutely, but i think you are making irrelevant things much more complicated than they need to be and not grasping what is important.

we had na orientaion tues/wed...which doesnt make sense because i started memorial day.

doesn't matter.

they didnt show us everything we needed to know.

there were some basic concepts you were expected to learn to become a cna. so, no, will would not be going over every minute detail.

the things they did kind of show us, 1 person would demonstrate it, and we all just sat and watched..not very helpful.

could be things you should already have a basic grasp of and will learn more thoroughly on the floor.

the best learning occurs on the floor.

there was maybe 25 of us.

doesn't matter.

hopefully i can get some answers.

you can only do that by working with your perceptor and other staff.

you come here with many questions, but the best place to go for your answers is not here.

it's where you work.

ask. listen. do.

cheers.

cmm4ever · Jun 11, 2011

don't try.
do it.

(i have been with the same person everytime so far besides 1 time) not sure if she will be there friday though, when i will be.

doesn't matter who your preceptor will be.

do it.

is it just me or if your completely new to all this would these be some relevant questions that would normally be asked?

absolutely, but i think you are making irrelevant things much more complicated than they need to be and not grasping what is important.

we had na orientaion tues/wed...which doesnt make sense because i started memorial day.

doesn't matter.

they didnt show us everything we needed to know.

there were some basic concepts you were expected to learn to become a cna. so, no, will would not be going over every minute detail.

the things they did kind of show us, 1 person would demonstrate it, and we all just sat and watched..not very helpful.

could be things you should already have a basic grasp of and will learn more thoroughly on the floor.

the best learning occurs on the floor.

there was maybe 25 of us.

doesn't matter.

hopefully i can get some answers.

you can only do that by working with your perceptor and other staff.

you come here with many questions, but the best place to go for your answers is not here.

it's where you work.

ask. listen. do.

cheers.

yes i ask...sometimes i dont get a good answer or answer at all though.

allnurses Guide · Jun 11, 2011

Yes I ask...sometimes I dont get a good answer or answer at all though.

Well, hang in there.

Keep asking and using your resources to find good answers.

It's a lot to learn.

I was god-awful when I first started... what a dork!

LOL

All in good time.