What is a key responsibility of a CNA when caring for patients?

A key responsibility of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is providing personal care and assistance to patients. This role includes helping with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding. CNAs are crucial in ensuring the comfort and hygiene of patients, especially those who are unable to perform these tasks independently due to age, illness, or disability.

While making medical diagnoses, administering medications independently, and scheduling surgical procedures may be important in the healthcare field, these tasks fall outside the scope of practice for a CNA. Diagnosis and administering medications require the expertise of licensed medical professionals, such as doctors or nurses, while scheduling surgical procedures is typically managed by administrative staff or nurses. Hence, the core function of a CNA remains centered around personal care and direct assistance, which is vital for patient wellbeing.