Which responsibility is included in your role as part of the nursing process?

In the context of the nursing process, reporting observations is a critical responsibility. The nursing process involves several key steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. As a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), your primary role focuses on assisting with the assessment and implementation phases.

When observing patients, gathering data on their physical and emotional conditions, and noticing any changes, it's essential to accurately report these findings to the nursing staff or other healthcare providers. This information is crucial for making informed decisions about patient care and for adjusting care plans as needed.

Administering medications is typically a responsibility assumed by licensed nurses or other healthcare professionals with more advanced training. Similarly, performing surgeries and diagnosing illnesses are responsibilities reserved for physicians or specialists who have the requisite training and expertise. Therefore, while those tasks are important in patient care, they lie outside the scope of practice for CNAs. Reporting observations, however, is fundamental to the CNA role and directly contributes to effective patient care within the nursing process.