Oklahoma Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) State Practice Exam

Monitoring for the presence of blood, foul odor, or signs of skin breakdown during peri-care is crucial for maintaining patient safety and comfort. These indicators can reveal potential complications, such as infections or skin irritations that could arise from inadequate hygiene or underlying health issues.

Blood may indicate trauma or infection, while a foul odor could suggest an infection or an accumulation of waste. Signs of skin breakdown, such as redness or sores, are important to identify early as they can lead to more severe conditions like pressure ulcers. Promptly reporting these findings to the charge nurse allows for timely intervention and ensures that the patient's care plan is adjusted as necessary to prevent further issues.

In contrast, monitoring for dehydration, the patient’s mental state, and medication side effects, while important aspects of overall patient care, are typically evaluated through other routines and assessments rather than specifically during peri-care.