What is a healthcare team?
A group of professionals working together to provide patient care.
A healthcare team is a group of professionals working together to provide patient care. You are a vital part of this team.
Who is part of the healthcare team?
- The patient and his/her family
- All staff and professional members who are supporting the patient’s care
The team includes the patient and his/her family, and all staff and professional members who are supporting the patient’s care. Examples include physical therapists, social workers, religious leaders, doctors, nurses, and CNAs.
Fill in the blank:
The most important member of the healthcare team is the ______.
patient
The main goal of the health care team is to provide patient-centred care. Therefore, the patient (and their family) are the most important members. Always involve them in the care process.
What is the importance of patient-centered care?
It focuses on the unique needs and preferences of each patient.
All patient care is personalized and revolves around the patient’s needs and wishes. This means you do not treat every resident the same. You follow the care plan and respect their individual choices.
Define:
Teamwork in Healthcare
Collaboration among healthcare professionals to provide patient care.
Effective teamwork improves patient safety and satisfaction. Teamwork in healthcare is collaboration among healthcare professionals to provide patient care.
CNA Insight: You must communicate clearly and respectfully with the nurse, other CNAs, and therapists. Good teamwork equals safe care.
What is a common misconception about team benefits in healthcare?
That others can do your work for you.
Team dynamics foster collaboration and shared skills, but each member is still responsible for their own assigned tasks.
Teamwork does not mean passing off work to others.
Who is part of the nursing team?
Licensed nurses and nurse assistants who are supporting a patient’s care.
The nursing team includes licensed nurses and nurse assistants who are supporting a patient’s care. Licensed nurses may include registered nurses (RN), licensed practical nurses (LPN/LVN), advanced practical nurses (APRN), nurse practitioners (NPs), or clinical nurse specialists (CNS).
CNA Insight: The assigned nurse is your direct supervisor. You must follow their instructions and report to them.
What is professionalism in nursing care?
Conducting oneself with:
- Responsibility
- Integrity
- Excellence
Professional behavior builds trust with patients and coworkers.
List the FIVE principles of care for members of a health team.
- Safety
- Dignity
- Independence
- Privacy
- Communication
These principles ensure high-quality care and workplace harmony. They are the foundation of all your actions. Always ask yourself if your action is safe, dignified, and respectful of their privacy.
How does a CNA support patient dignity?
- Respecting privacy
- Addressing patients properly
- Involving patients in care
Maintaining dignity enhances patient comfort and trust.
CNA Insight: Always knock before entering, keep them covered during a bath, and call them by their preferred name.
Why is effective communication important in a healthcare team?
It ensures patient safety and coordinated care.
Miscommunication can lead to medical errors.
CNA Insight: A clear report (effective communication) to the nurse and oncoming shift prevents medication errors.
Who supervises a CNA in a healthcare setting?
A registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
The nurse is the only person who can delegate tasks to you. You must follow their instructions.
List THREE qualities of a professional CNA.
- Dependability
- Accountability
- Compassion
Dependability means showing up on time.
Accountability means owning your mistakes.
Compassion means caring about the resident’s feelings.
What does notifying a nurse about forgetting to weigh a patient demonstrate?
Accountability
Acknowledging mistakes and taking responsibility is a key aspect of professionalism in healthcare settings. If you make a mistake, you must report it immediately so it can be fixed.
What is the primary role of a CNA?
To provide basic nursing care and assist with activities of daily living (ADLs).
The primary role is to provide basic nursing care and assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
CNA Insight: Your job is to help the resident with the things they cannot do for themselves, like bathing, dressing, and eating.
True or False:
A CNA can diagnose the injury or illness of a patient.
False
You can observe and report symptoms, but you must never diagnose an illness or injury. That is the doctor’s or advanced practitioner’s job.
Fill in the blank:
CNAs should document care ______ and accurately.
promptly
Promptly means immediately after you do it.
Accurate means factual. Proper documentation ensures continuity of care.
List TWO tasks outside a CNA’s scope of practice.
- Administering medications
- Inserting catheters
Tasks outside the scope of practice are administering medications and inserting catheters.
CNA Insight: You must know your scope of practice. Never perform a task that you have not been trained to do or that is not allowed by law.
True or False:
A CNA can accept verbal orders from a doctor.
False
Only nurses can accept and act on verbal medical orders.
What are Activities of Daily Living?
(ADLs)
They refer to the physical skills required to stay safe, healthy, and clean.
ADLs include basic human needs such as:
- Eating
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Elimination
- Mobility
List FOUR responsibilities of a registered nurse.
(RN)
- Performs assessments
- Develops care plans
- Provides nursing care
- Supervises other members of the nursing team
The RN is the leader of the nursing team. RNs provide nursing care directly or by delegating certain tasks to other nursing team members. They are responsible for the overall care of the resident.
What is the role of a licensed practical nurse?
(LPN)
Helps plan, deliver, and supervise some types of nursing care.
The LPN helps plan, deliver, and supervise some types of nursing care.
CNA Insight: The LPN works under the direction of the RN. They can perform many of the same tasks as the RN, but their scope of practice is more limited.
Define:
Delegation
The act of giving someone else responsibility for completing certain tasks.
The nurse delegates tasks to you. You must only accept tasks that are within your scope of practice and that you feel competent to perform.
CNAs are responsible for reporting task completion and updating documentation.
True or False:
You should complete all tasks that are delegated to you by your supervising nurse.
False
You must only accept tasks that are within your scope of practice and that you feel competent to perform.
If you are unsure, you must tell the nurse. Completing tasks outside of your scope of practice can result in legal or professional repercussions.
-
Anatomy Basics53
-
Human Growth and Development52
-
Safety54
-
Infection Control52
-
Acute and Chronic Conditions59
-
Hygiene49
-
Dressing and Grooming52
-
Nutrition and Hydration52
-
Measurements and Vital Signs45
-
Bed Care43
-
Elimination45
-
Mobility and Restorative Care49
-
Emergencies48
-
Emotional & Mental Health44
-
Self Care and Independence37
-
Age-Related Changes49
-
Pain Management43
-
Spiritual and Cultural Needs36
-
End of Life Care45
-
Communication44
-
Patient Rights37
-
Legal and Ethical Behavior44
-
Reporting39
-
Health Care Teams40
-
Health Care Systems41
