Dealing With Residents/Patients With Insomnia

Sleep is very important in terms of living beings staying healthy and for repairing and recharging our bodies. But what happens when sleep becomes an issue, as in a sleep disorder? As a result of a lack of sleep and interruptions in sleeping habits, there ate many chronic health issues to deal with, such as a low quality of life. There are different types of sleep disorders, ranging from sleep apnea to narcolepsy and parasomnias, just to name a few. Insomnia is another type of sleeping disorder.

Did you know that approximately ninety-five percent of Americans have suffered from insomnia at a point during his/her lifetime? This is a fact.

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia refers to a sleeping condition in which a person is having difficulty sleeping and/or staying asleep when they get in the bed. People suffering from insomnia are usually very uncomfortable with his/her sleeping habits and have one or more of these symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Very moody
• Very low productivity
• Very low energy
• Have a difficult time concentrating and focusing

In the case of residents/patients (depending on the healthcare setting), you may notice a change in his/her behavior as a result of insomnia, as in a lack of energy. Some residents/patients may want to talk to the Certified Nursing Assistant about his/her sleeping issues, such as waking up multiple times throughout the night. Certified Nursing Assistants must document the conversation he/she had with the resident/patient about their sleeping problems and notify the head nurse. It is also very important to notify the family members about their loved one's sleeping issues; this prevents the resident's/patient's sleeping problem from becoming chronic, which will have a negative impact on his/her health.

Causes of Insomnia

Insomnia can be the result from an array of medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, poor sleeping habits, and biological factors, etc.

Causes of Insomnia From Medical Conditions

There are different medical conditions that can cause the development of insomnia, which may be:

• Lower back pain
• Chronic pain with any part of the body
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson's Disease)

What If The Resident/Patient Becomes Depressed As A Result Of Insomnia?

Very often, depression is the result of sleeping difficulties. Severe cases of insomnia tends to be higher in people who are already suffering from a major depressive disorder. Research shows that insomnia tends to trigger the onset of depression.

There are some steps that Certified Nursing Assistants can take to help their residents/patients if depression is suspected:

• Become the patient's/resident's advocate for his/her family and friends
• Take the patient/resident for a walk frequently
• Ensure that they are keeping a regular meal schedule
• Encourage them to keep in touch with family and friends regularly.
• Educate yourself about depression and caring for patients/residents suffering from depression

Whatever is the cause of the resident's/patient's sleeping disorder, if insomnia becomes an ongoing issue, then the Certified Nursing Assistant should encourage him/ her to get in contact with their physician and their physician and their trusted family member(s) about possible treatment.

Are you dealing with or have you dealt with patients/residents who is suffering or suffered from insomnia? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments box.

10 Methods in Staying Healthy as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

What is an underlying secret of a good Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) besides being dedicated to their duties? It is all about staying healthy while on the job (this should also be practiced off the job).

Because of the very demanding nature of our roles as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), it is pretty hard to keep healthy, especially with our workload (in which the upper management does not seem to understand, or just does not care). This is why it is very important to stay healthy; when you are healthy and strong, these very demanding and work-overloaded shifts will not overwhelm you nearly as much. Healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes, usually experience a much higher turnover, resulting in understaffing of nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs); therefore, the nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are often overworked (in the case of CNAs are underpaid.)

The following are ten methods for Certified Nursing Assistants in staying healthy:

• Prior to beginning your shift, you should stretch your limbs. It is more likely that you will be transferring, lifting, and feeding the patients/residents. To refrain from having pulled muscles and other types of injuries, stretch your limbs prior to each shift.
• Snack on a regular basis. For best results, bring snacks that are rich in protein, as in nuts, to work; eat them frequently. Eating these snacks will help keep your energy at its highest, just to get through those very long and demanding shifts with your body intact.
• Stay hydrated at all times. This is very imperative! A lack of hydration will often make you feel very hungry, tired, or even stressed out. You can stay hydrated by keeping a water bottle with you; drink out of it frequently during the duration of your shift. By all means, avoid those drinks that are high in sugar and full of caffeine--yes, stay away from that can of Coca-Cola and cup of Folgers--at least while you are working.
• Exercise, Exercise, Exercise. This cannot be stressed enough--exercise approximately three times a week for twenty to thirty minutes. It does not matter when you do it, exercising will benefit you in the long haul. Not only you will be stronger, but much healthier.
• Protective gear should be worn. Protective gears are there for a very good reason: To keep us safe and hhealthy! Always put on your mask, gloves, and any necessary gear for working in areas that are very close to ill residents/patients.
• Heavy meals should be avoided while working. The best advice: Do not eat heavy meals during your shift(s). The reason: It will more likely make you feel very sick and fatigued.
• Get plenty of rest. Rest is your friend! Stick to a regular sleeping schedule. When you set a sleeping schedule, your body will become accustomed to waking up at that certain time. As a result, your body will function much more properly.
• Multivitamins should be taken regularly. You want to keep your body functioning at every level. Although you may eat very healthy (some of us do), it is very likely that your body is still not getting enough vitamins and nutrients. Taking multivitamins will benefit you in the long run.
• Take care of yourself. How in the world are you going to take care of other people when you do not take care of yourself? It does not work that way! Wash your hands throughout the shift(s). When working as a certified nursing assistant, chances of you coming in contact with ill residents/patients are very likely. You would not want to contract communicable illnesses, as in a cold, or even something worse.
• Frequent breaks should be taken. Be sure that your schedule allows for small, frequent breaks. Every small break benefits you in working with the demanding workload. A lack of frequent breaks result in overworked and unhappy certified nursing assistants. If your manager does not want you to take these frequent breaks, then it is time for you to look for a job somewhere else.

As a certified nursing assistant, it is imperative that you stay healthy not only on your very demanding duties, but with your overall well-being. You want to be the best CNA that you can be. Make your health your number one priority; you will be wonderful on your job and caring for your assigned patients/residents.

Are you a CNA? How do you deal with staying healthy. Please feel free to add your say in the Comments box.

CNAs: Why The High Turnovers?

You see all of these advertisements about getting your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification through these schools. They are often fast-track, meaning that classes are in session for at least four to six weeks. There are a huge demand for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs); this is expected to increase by twenty-one percent through 2022.

There is the exam--you can either pass the exam or fail the exam. You get the job working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA); you realize that it takes a lot of work and your energy. All of this can turn into a high turnover--especially in a long-term care facility.

Why The High Turnovers?

The following are some of the influences in which Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) make the decision to leave their jobs and possibly their career in health care. These are four major reasons:

• Problems with their physical well-being
• Lack of health benefits and paid leave
• Lack of job satisfaction
• Low pay

Problems With Physical Well-Being

In the majority of cases with Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), their physical problems are the result of constant demands by their everyday duties and activities. Any one that has ever worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) knows that it is a very physically demanding, which is often associated with duties, such as transferring patients/residents from bed to wheelchair (and vice versa), depending on your shift, moving heavy equipment (example: mechanical lift), and the lifting and twisting associated with re-positioning patients/residents. Doing all of these things on a daily basis can take its toll on the physical body.

There are some facilities that offer excellent health benefits and paid leave to Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs); these work places have the higher number of workers.

Lack of Job Satisfaction

The reason for the lack of job satisfaction among Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) was because of the emotional stress, due to dealing with the patients/residents on a daily basis, the constant demands of the job and very little respect from the upper management, as in supervisors.

Some Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/LVNs) are assigning extra work to Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) because they do not want to do the "dirty work." This is in reference to giving patients/residents bed baths, cleaning bed pans, incontinence care, etc. Many nurses have the thought of " I have a license, I am above the "dirty work."

Low Pay

Full-time Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) can expect to earn about $24,000 a year, or approximately $11.73/hr, depending on location. Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) requires less schooling than it is to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN). There is a big gap in pay rates between Certified Nursing Assistabnts (CNAs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/LVNs).

This high turnover rate is having a negative consequence not only on the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNAs), but the entire health care. Patient/resident care becomes almost non-existent; there is the high cost in health care for hospitals and/or facilities. This is because the healthcare management team have to recruit and train new employees. In essence, the more job vacancies, the more work hours lost.

Are you a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments box.

Deciphering Hypertension as a Certified Nursing Assistant

Did you know that hypertension affects approximately seventy-five million people in the United States alone? It plays a vital role in the risk for stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), vascular disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension refers to the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mm Hg, or taking anti-hypertensive medication. According to recommendations of the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7), the blood pressure (BP) classification for adults eighteen years old and older is the following:

• Normal: Systolic lower than 120 mm Hg, diastolic lower than 80 mm Hg
• Pre-hypertension: Systolic 120-139 mm Hg, diastolic 80-89 mm Hg
• Stage 1: Systolic 140-159 mm Hg, diastolic 90-99 mm Hg
• Stage 2: Systolic 160 mm Hg or higher, diastolic 100 mm Hg or higher

There are two types of hypertension. One is primary or essential hypertension; this is the most common and the most misunderstood. Primary, or essential hypertension is responsible for ninety to ninety-five percent of adult cases.The other is secondary hypertension, which has a primary cause such as renovascular disease, endocrine disease, renal disease, and medication. Secondary hypertension is responsible for two to ten percent of cases.

What Is The Impact That Hypertension Have On A Patient/Resident Short-Term and Long-Term?

Although the short-term impact of hypertension is unknown, the long-term impact of hypertension includes heart failure, stroke, coronary disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hypertensive emergencies include aortic dissection, which can be life-threatening as with hypertensive encephalopathy.

Treatments For Hypertension

In treating hypertension, always begin with limiting sodium intake, reducing alcohol use, increasing physical activity, losing weight (if overweight), and eating healthier foods, as in low-fat foods. If these measures are unsuccessful, then hypertension is likely the cause and may to be further evaluated.

How To Deal With a Patient/Resident With Hypertension

There are medications for the treatment of hypertension; these should be prescribed and administered. The blood pressure should be checked on a regular basis to ensure the medication is working properly. If the blood pressure is low, then the medication can be put on hold. A diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, low sodium, and low-fat should be given for hypertension.

Providing the Hypertensive Patients/Residents with Much Comfort As Possible

Most people who suffer from hypertension are asymptomatic and no specific measures need to take place. In contrast, if a patient/resident with hypertension have symptoms such as blurry vision, headache, chest pains, or palpitations, then the blood pressure is likely elevated. With an elevated blood pressure, a visit to the emergency room (ER) is likely guaranteed; the blood pressure needs to be controlled in a hospital or an inpatient setting.

To ensure safety and comfort for patients/residents with hypertension, here are the following steps to do:

• Limit sodium intake
• Be physically active for approximately half an hour each day
• Eat a balanced diet, which should include fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Have lab work drawn annually for cholesterol check, thyroid, kidney function, etc. that is recommended by a primary care provider
• Lose weight (if the patient/resident is overweight)
• Be compliant with every medication and take them as prescribed.
• If symptoms such as headache, chest pain, or blurry vision occur, go to the emergency room (ER) for evaluation immediately

How do you handle hypertension as a Certified Nursing Assistant with patients/residents? Please feel free to add your comments in the Comments box