What kind of diseases should CNAs be on the lookout for in patients?

CNA professionals play a vital role in patient care, which includes identifying and monitoring various diseases that could affect their patients. Being vigilant about communicable diseases, which can easily spread from one person to another, is essential for both the safety of the patients and the healthcare environment as a whole.

Communicable diseases require specific precautions, often leading to the implementation of isolation measures to prevent outbreaks, especially in settings like nursing homes or hospitals where vulnerable populations reside. By being aware of these diseases and knowing the required isolation precautions, CNAs are better equipped to protect their patients and themselves, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for care delivery.

While non-communicable diseases and chronic conditions are certainly important aspects of a patient's overall health, they do not carry the same immediate risk of spreading in a healthcare setting. Cosmetic concerns, while relevant to patient wellbeing, do not fall under the critical scope of health monitoring that CNAs are primarily tasked with addressing. Therefore, focusing on communicable diseases and the associated precautions is essential in providing comprehensive care.