Fire Safety

Patient Communication

When communicating with residents about fire safety:

• Cultural sensitivity: respect food preferences, spiritual practices, family dynamics
• For hearing-impaired: face the resident, speak clearly (not louder), reduce background noise
• Report behavioral changes to the nurse: withdrawal, aggression, crying, confusion
• Therapeutic silence: allow time for the resident to process and respond
• Use open-ended questions to encourage residents to share feelings
• Avoid false reassurance (do not say everything will be fine), acknowledge feelings instead

Workplace Applications

Applying fire safety in daily practice as a nursing assistant:

• Right to manage own financial affairs or choose a representative
• Right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times
• Right to participate in care planning and be informed about condition and treatment changes
• Therapeutic silence: allow time for the resident to process and respond
• Avoid false reassurance (do not say everything will be fine), acknowledge feelings instead
• Active listening: face the resident, maintain eye contact, nod, paraphrase

Documentation

CNAs document fire safety findings by reporting to the nurse and recording in the medical record. Key observations to document:

• Fall risk factors: history of falls, medications (sedatives, diuretics), mobility impairment, cognitive decline
• Report to nurse: elevated temperature, blood pressure outside baseline, new pain, skin breakdown
• Behavioral changes: new confusion, agitation, refusing meals, sleep pattern changes

Related Procedures

Positioning:

1. Supine, lateral, prone, Fowler, Sims positions
2. Maintain body alignment
3. Reposition every 2 hours minimum

Bathing:

1. Apply lotion to prevent dryness
2. Perineal care: front to back for females
3. Gather supplies

Key Values & Ranges

RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish) and PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) mnemonics. Fire safety mnemonics tested on CNA and MA exams.

Resident care connections: Right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. Right to communicate freely with phone access, mail unopened, visitors at reasonable hours.