What Is a CNA's Role in Caring for a Cancer Patient?

“Finding out that you have cancer can be a difficult experience for a patient. After your diagnosis, you may feel anxious, afraid or overwhelmed, and wonder how you can cope during the days to come,” according to the Mayo Clinic. As a CNA, you play an important role in caring for a cancer patient, by providing emotional support, taking care of physical and personal needs, and effectively communicating with medical staff about changes in a patient’s condition.

Basic Medical Care

• “As a CNA, you'll work under the supervision of nursing and medical staff, and handle many aspects of a cancer patient’s care," according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You'll take vital signs, which include blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiration rates, and assist as needed with dressing, bathing and eating. Other duties include changing bandages, providing skin care, emptying bed pans and keeping the room tidy.

Observe/Report Changes

• “Living with cancer is an experience that affects every aspect of your life,” according to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Cancer affects a patient’s body, as well as his mind and spirit, and you may notice physical and emotional changes in your patient. Physical changes can include a poor appetite, difficulty sleeping, or changes in skin condition. As a CNA, you may notice emotional changes such as frequent crying, depression and having feelings of hopelessness. Report these changes to your supervisor.

Communication

• Establishing good communication with your cancer patient is one of your most important roles as a CNA. “Encourage her to share feelings, and support efforts to share,” according to the American Cancer Society. If she wants to talk about her feelings as a cancer patient, listen attentively and don’t change the subject, but if she prefers to remain quiet, respect her privacy. A gesture, such as a gentle touch on the arm, lets your patient know that you understand her feelings.

Personal Needs

• If you’re working as a CNA through a certified health agency, you’ll visit the cancer patient in his home. In addition to giving basic medical care, you’ll help the patient with personal needs such as transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and assisting with meal planning and preparation. Providing personal assistance to a cancer patient ensures that he will keep seeing his doctor, and meals can be planned and prepared with foods that are easy to eat, but provide maximum nutrition.

Documentation

• “Brief, organized documentation by a CNA will guide the doctor in planning and administering the right type of treatment,” according to Nursing Student Tutor. Documentation should include relevant information regarding current treatment, and be written in a legible and clear manner. Organize events in the order that they occurred. For instance, document when medication was given, side effects experienced and treatment for side effects.