The emergency medical service has transported a client with severe chest pain. As the client is being transferred to the emergency stretcher, you note unresponsiveness, cessation of breathing, and unpalpable pulse. Which of the following task is appropriate to delegate to the nursing assistant?
A. Assisting with the intubation
B. Placing the defibrillator pads
C. Doing chest compressions
D. Initiating bag valve mask ventilation
Correct Answer: C. Doing chest compressions.
Performing chest compressions are within the training of a nurse assistant. Every good certified nursing assistant should be proficient at cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is the widely-used term for any form of CPR certification and is required for all Registered Nurses (RN) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA).
Option A: Due to the nature of critical care patients it is inevitable that nurses working in this setting will be called on to assist with tracheal intubation. This assistant role requires a high degree of knowledge and skills in order for the intubation procedure to be executed smoothly.
Option B: The defibrillator pads are clearly marked; however placement should be done by the RN or physician because of the potential for skin damage and electrical arcing. Most hospital nurses will be trained in advisory defibrillation, while a few will be trained in manual defibrillation.
Option C: The use of the bag valve mask requires practice, and usually a respiratory therapist will perform the function. Bag-valve-mask ventilation can be done with one person or two, but two-person BVM ventilation is easier and more effective because a tight seal must be achieved and this usually requires two hands on the mask.
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