As a nursing assistant, one of your primary roles is to collect and communicate information.  That information is collected by observing clients and communicated by reporting to the nurse and/or documenting in the client's chart.

By being able to recognize what is abnormal, you'll be ensuring a better outcome for your client(s)!  For example:  your client, Mrs. Jones has a slightly reddened area on  her hip that was not there last week.  She tells you that the area is sensitive to the touch.  You know that these symptoms are the early signs of a pressure sore.  By catching and reporting these abnormal observations, Mrs. Jones has a better chance of receiving quick treatment for her developing pressure sore.

To learn more about abnormal vital signs, pain, mental status, nutrition, elimination, skin, and more, check out our NEW inservice: "Recognizing and Reporting Abnormal Observations."