CNA 2 Manual

Question 1

Define angina

Answer 1

Angina

Angina is a warning that the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen-rich blook

Question 2

How is angina often described as?

Answer 2

Angina is often described as “chest pain” but this can be misleading

• Angina is not always painful, and isn’t always felt in the chest

Question 3

How might angina feel like?

Answer 3

Angina might feet like this:

• Aching
• Tightness
• Pressure that comes and goes
• Discomfort
  
  • Discomfort might be felt in the chest, back, abdomen, arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw
• SOB (shortness of breath)
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Sweating

Question 4

What are the responsive observations that the CNA can make for angina?

Answer 4

Responsive Observations

• Aching, tightness, or pressure in chest, arm, shoulder, neck, back, abdomen, or jaw
• Shortness of breath (SOB)
• Nausea
• Diaphoresis (sweating)
• Change in skin color

Question 5

What is the CNA mangement for a patient with angina?

Answer 5

CNA Management

• Stay with the patient
• Report to the nurse STAT
• Obtain vital signs STAT
• Encourage patient to lie/sit down, stop activity (often angina will go away after activity has stopped)
• Anticipate complications (heart attack)

Question 6

Define congestive heart failure

Answer 6

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body.

Question 7

What does congestive heart failure do to the body?

Answer 7

Since the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body, this situation will cause fluid to back up into the lungs and throughout the body, especially in the feet and lower legs.

Question 8

What are the responsive observations that the CNA can make for congestive heart failure?

Answer 8

Reponsive Observations

• SOB with regular activities
• Increases in weight; sudden weight gain
• Edema in legs, feet, and ankles
• Using more pillows or sitting up to sleep
• Rapid heart rate; dizziness (vertigo)

Question 9

What is the CNA mangement for a patient with congestive heart failure?

Answer 9

CNA Management

• Reprt to nurse
• Obtain VS
• Accurate I&O
• Be sure patient is following diet correctly. (The patient is often on a restricted salt diet).
• Do not tire patient

Question 10

Define coronary artery disease

Answer 10

• Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart and can narrow as the result of arteriosclerosis (plaque accumulating on artery walls)
• At the onset of coronary artery disease, the patient may recieve enough blood while at rest.
  
  • Exertion causes increased need for oxygen.
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