Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Irma is a student in a pre-CNA class. The CNA class is at a local adult basic education program. Irma takes classes in the afternoons during the week. She learns many new things that will help her in the future.

Today’s class was about signs of abuse and neglect . CNAs may see abuse and neglect at work. Seeing these signs is part of a nursing assistant’s job.

Hurting someone on purpose is abuse. A patient may not get the care he or she needs. This problem can be abuse too. The teacher also used the word “neglect.” “Neglect” means to not pay attention to a patient. Forgetting to help or take care of a patient is neglect.

Here are some common signs of abuse or neglect:
● a patient has many injuries
● a patient does not have enough water
● a patient is in unclean conditions

Here are some ways to help stop abuse or neglect:
● make sure every patient has a call bell nearby
● make sure every patient has water nearby
● make sure a patient does not miss a meal
● move patients in bed at least every 2 hours to reduce bedsores

Finally, the teacher told students to tell a supervisor immediately about abuse or neglect. CNAs may also feel a lot of stress while working. They should talk to a supervisor about their stress.

Irma and the other students in class learned a lot of good information today. This information will help them in their new careers as CNAs.