If a resident suddenly becomes short of breath, you should

If a resident suddenly becomes short of breath, you should

• A. Call 911 yourself
• B. Continue care
• C. Notify the nurse right away
• D. Assume it's minor and wait

Answer: (C)

Sudden shortness of breath is a sign of acute respiratory distress and requires immediate escalation to licensed staff. In this situation, the priority is to notify the nurse right away so they can assess the resident, determine the seriousness, and decide on any further actions, including calling emergency services if needed. The CNA’s role is to monitor, provide reassurance, and position the resident for comfort, but not to diagnose or administer treatment. Delaying reporting or assuming it’s minor can allow the condition to worsen, so prompt communication is essential. If the condition is clearly life-threatening or the resident collapses, staff will initiate emergency care, but the first step is to alert the nurse so proper steps can be taken.

Sudden shortness of breath is a sign of acute respiratory distress and requires immediate escalation to licensed staff. In this situation, the priority is to notify the nurse right away so they can assess the resident, determine the seriousness, and decide on any further actions, including calling emergency services if needed. The CNA’s role is to monitor, provide reassurance, and position the resident for comfort, but not to diagnose or administer treatment. Delaying reporting or assuming it’s minor can allow the condition to worsen, so prompt communication is essential. If the condition is clearly life-threatening or the resident collapses, staff will initiate emergency care, but the first step is to alert the nurse so proper steps can be taken.