Oregon Certified Nursing Assistant State Practice Exam

What is one key responsibility of a nursing assistant when caring for residents?

1. To make all healthcare decisions unilaterally

2. To ensure the comfort and safety of the residents

3. To lead team meetings

4. To handle financial matters for residents

The correct answer is: To ensure the comfort and safety of the residents

A key responsibility of a nursing assistant is to ensure the comfort and safety of the residents. This involves a range of tasks aimed at providing support and care that maintain the residents' wellbeing. Nursing assistants play a crucial role in monitoring vital signs, assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating, and creating a positive and safe environment for the residents. Their actions directly impact the physical and emotional comfort of those in their care, as they are often the ones who spend the most time with the residents. In contrast, making healthcare decisions unilaterally is outside the scope of a nursing assistant's responsibilities, as these decisions typically require the input of medical professionals. Leading team meetings is also not a primary role for nursing assistants, as this task usually falls to registered nurses or other supervisory staff. Handling financial matters for residents generally is managed by designated staff members or families, not nursing assistants, to ensure that residents' financial affairs are handled appropriately and professionally.