9.4 High-Yield Disease Processes
Key Takeaways
- CNAs do not diagnose diseases, but they must recognize reportable signs and support care plans.
- Stroke warning signs include face drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulty.
- Diabetes concerns include sweating, shakiness, confusion, weakness, excessive thirst, and wounds that heal slowly.
- COPD and heart failure often show shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling, or activity intolerance.
- Report chest pain, trouble breathing, new weakness, seizure, blood in stool or urine, and sudden confusion immediately.
CNA-Level Disease Knowledge
The CNA does not diagnose. The CNA recognizes changes and reports them. Disease-process questions usually test observation and safe support.
Stroke
Remember FAST:
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| F | Face drooping |
| A | Arm weakness |
| S | Speech difficulty |
| T | Time to call for help |
Report sudden weakness, facial droop, slurred speech, confusion, severe headache, or vision change immediately.
Diabetes
Report signs of low or high blood sugar according to policy:
- Shakiness.
- Sweating.
- Confusion.
- Weakness.
- Extreme thirst.
- Frequent urination.
- Fruity breath.
- Slow-healing wounds.
Do not give food or insulin unless directed by the nurse and policy. Report first for urgent symptoms.
Heart And Lung Disease
Heart failure may show swelling, sudden weight gain, shortness of breath, fatigue, or needing extra pillows to breathe.
COPD may show chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, barrel chest, or oxygen use. Do not remove oxygen or adjust flow without direction.
Seizures
Protect from injury, call for help, observe, and report. Do not restrain or put anything in the mouth.
Infection And Dehydration
Older adults may show infection through sudden confusion or weakness, not only fever. Dehydration can cause dizziness, dark urine, dry mouth, and low output.
Exam Tip
If a disease question offers "report to nurse" for a new or serious symptom, that answer is often correct.
Which signs are included in FAST for possible stroke?
A resident with COPD is short of breath and anxious. What should the CNA do?