A nursing assistant should report changes in a resident's condition to the nurse because they are not the primary decision-maker and the nurse coordinates care. Which option best expresses this?

• A. They are allowed to interpret changes.
• B. Only the resident can decide if changes are serious.
• C. Nurses coordinate care and respond to changes; CNA's role is to observe and report.
• D. They should perform advanced assessments themselves.

Answer: (C)

Understanding how the care team works helps explain why reporting changes to the nurse is essential. The nurse coordinates care, interprets changes in a resident’s condition, and decides on appropriate interventions. The nursing assistant’s role is to observe what’s happening and report any changes promptly so the nurse can assess and respond. This separation keeps patient safety at the forefront and ensures that medical judgments are made by someone with the proper training.

Other ideas would place the CNA in roles beyond their scope, such as interpreting changes, deciding on seriousness, or performing advanced assessments. Those tasks require licensed nursing judgment and skills, so they’re not appropriate for a nursing assistant.