Nursing Assistant Certification Course

Week 13: Patient Care I

Duration: 3 hours

I. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) (1 hour)
   A. Understanding the Concept of ADLs
      1. Basic self-care tasks
         Example: ADLs are essential daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and mobility, that individuals usually perform independently.
      2. Importance of ADL assistance for patients with functional limitations
         Example: Patients with functional limitations, such as those recovering from surgery or living with chronic conditions, may require assistance with ADLs to maintain their health, hygiene, and quality of life.
   B. Assisting Patients with ADLs
      1. Techniques for safely and effectively assisting with ADLs
         Example: When assisting patients with dressing, nursing assistants should respect their preferences, ensure privacy, and provide support as needed, such as helping with buttons or zippers.
      2. Adapting ADL assistance to individual patient needs and abilities
         Example: Nursing assistants should assess each patient's abilities and needs, providing assistance with ADLs accordingly, such as offering verbal cues or physical support depending on the level of help required.

II. Promoting Independence and Dignity (1 hour)
   A. Fostering Patient Autonomy and Self-Care
      1. Encouraging patients to participate in their care
         Example: Nursing assistants should encourage patients to perform ADLs independently whenever possible, offering assistance and support only as needed to promote autonomy and self-confidence.
      2. Assisting patients in setting and achieving self-care goals
         Example: Nursing assistants can help patients set realistic self-care goals, such as regaining the ability to walk independently, and provide encouragement and support to achieve these goals.
   B. Maintaining Patient Dignity and Privacy
      1. Respecting patients' privacy during personal care tasks
         Example: Nursing assistants should close curtains or doors, cover patients with a bath blanket during personal care, and only expose areas necessary for the task at hand to maintain privacy and dignity.
      2. Communicating effectively and respectfully with patients
         Example: Nursing assistants should speak kindly, use a respectful tone, and address patients by their preferred names, demonstrating respect for their dignity and individuality.

III. Patient-Centered Care and Cultural Competence (1 hour)
   A. Understanding Patient-Centered Care
      1. Key principles of patient-centered care
         Example: Patient-centered care involves providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values, ensuring that patients' values guide all clinical decisions.
      2. Incorporating patient-centered care in daily practice
         Example: Nursing assistants can practice patient-centered care by actively listening to patients, involving them in decision-making, and providing individualized care based on their needs and preferences.
   B. Developing Cultural Competence
      1. Recognizing cultural diversity in healthcare settings
         Example: Cultural competence involves understanding and respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and practices of patients and their families, as well as healthcare colleagues.
      2. Providing culturally sensitive care
         Example: Nursing assistants can provide culturally sensitive care by learning about different cultural practices, asking patients about their preferences, and adapting care to accommodate these preferences, such as offering foods that align with a patient's cultural or religious dietary restrictions.

Upon completing Week 13, students will have gained essential knowledge and skills related to patient care, including assisting with ADLs, promoting independence and dignity, and practicing patient-centered and culturally competent care. These skills are vital for providing effective and compassionate care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings.