What is a CNA's role in monitoring vital signs?

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) plays a crucial role in the healthcare team, particularly in monitoring vital signs. The responsibility of reporting any abnormal findings to the nurse is integral to patient care. Vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, provide essential information about a patient's health status. When a CNA observes readings that fall outside of normal ranges, it is imperative to communicate these changes to the nursing staff. This ensures that appropriate interventions can be initiated as needed, contributing to patient safety and well-being.

Recording the findings is an important function, but it is only part of the role. The CNA’s involvement in monitoring vital signs goes beyond documentation; vigilance in recognizing abnormalities and relaying that information to a nurse is critical for effective patient care. While CNAs do receive training to take vital signs accurately, the decision-making aspect, such as diagnosing or determining treatment based on those readings, is outside their scope of practice.