Reading Skills for Healthcare Workers

Sara is a CNA at a local long-term care facility in the area.  This afternoon, Sara has to help some residents with self-care skills.  One important task is to assist residents with eating.  When assisting with feeding residents, Sara makes sure to follow the steps she learned in her CNA program.

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The first step is to thoroughly wash her hands to prevent contaminating the food.  She checks the food tray with the resident’s dietary order to ensure it is for the appropriate resident.  When Sara walks into the resident’s room with the meal tray, she warmly greets the resident.  To prepare the resident for lunch, Sara helps the resident to use the toilet and wash her hands. She then positions the resident in an appropriate sitting position and protects the resident’s clothing.

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To help the resident feel more independent, Sara asks the resident how she can help with lunch.  Sara knows that some residents may need help with opening a milk or juice carton or cutting food into small pieces. Sara also knows that some of the residents in the facility are unable to feed themselves because of paralysis or weakness, so she must cut the food into small pieces and feed the resident.  She should never touch any of the food with her bare hands.

Before cutting the food into smaller bites, Sara notes the temperature of the food to make sure it is not too hot or cold for the resident. Then she feeds the resident with the appropriate utensil and makes sure the resident alternates solids (food) with liquids (drinks).  She doesn’t feed the next bite until she is sure that the resident swallows the food.

When feeding residents, Sara is very calm and does not rush the meal.  She talks to the residents during the meal to make the experience more enjoyable.  After the resident finishes the meal, Sara helps her wash her hands and clean up.  Sara then washes her hands so that she is ready for the next resident.