The CPCT must be aware and considerate of the emotional needs of the patient and patient's family. The CPCT must be empathetic at all times. He or she should encourage the patient to communicate feelings of fear and anxiety. Providing emotional support always includes being a good listener. Often, patients and their families simply need to express feelings of anger, frustration, fear, or anxiety.

Support the Coping Mechanisms of Patients and Their Families

Patients and their families deal with dying and death differently. The CPCT provides support for their coping mechanisms. The CPCT must never judge a patient or family member for the coping mechanisms demonstrated. Patients can deny their illnesses, turn to faith and religion for comfort, or express grief in another way. The CPCT must be a good listener and allow patients and their families to openly express their feelings. Everyone involved in health care must empathize with patients, encourage expression of feelings, and provide comfort.

Set Up Equipment to be Used by the Patient

Alternating pressure mattresses are special beds designed to circulate air or water under patients and reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers. The CPCT should read the manufacturer's recommendations for proper set-up, use, and maintenance.

Provide Patient Care for a Patient with a Feeding Tube

Patients that have difficulty swallowing due to a medical condition can require the use of a feeding tube to facilitate passage of food into the stomach. The CPCT will encounter several types of feeding tubes, including nasogastric and gastric tubes. Nasogastric tubes are inserted through the nose into the patient's stomach. Gastric tubes are surgically inserted through

the abdominal wall. Both are used to place food into the stomach without involving the mouth and throat. The CPCT is responsible for ensuring proper patient positioning during and after meals to minimize the risk for aspiration. The CPCT should elevate the patient's head to at least a 45° angle at all times to prevent aspiration. The CPCT must also monitor the tubing for kinks and report any problems with the feeding equipment to the nurse.

Monitor and Record Functions Related to Digestion

The CPCT should monitor and document the amount, color, and consistency of the patient's stool. Terms such as loose, soft, formed, and hard are used to describe the consistency of the stool. Patients should have at least one bowel movement every 3 days. The CPCT is responsible for notifying the nursing staff if the patient has not had a bowel movement over a 3-day period. The CPCT should also inform the nurse of any abnormal findings in the stool such as green, red or dark tarry-looking stool, and diarrhea.

Monitor, Record, and Accurately Measure Intake/Output

The CPCT is responsible for monitoring, recording, and measuring fluid intake and output. The CPCT must record everything the patient eats and drinks, as well as the administration of any intravenous fluids. The CPCT must also record the patient's total daily urine, fecal, and vomit volume (if any).

Assist In Admission, Discharge, and/or Transfer of Patient to Another

Unit or Facility

The CPCT must prepare the patient's room prior to the patient's admission to the medical facility. The CPCT should ensure that the room is clean, stocked according to facility policy, and free of any tripping hazards. Nurses may ask the CPCT to obtain baseline vital signs, to weigh the patient, and to assist with documentation.

Some patients will need to be transferred to another medical or surgical unit within the hospital (or to an entirely different hospital) for specialized treatment or rehabilitation.

The CPCT will assist the nursing staff with such transfers. This includes obtaining vital signs, gathering patient belongings, and assisting transport crews.

When a patient is discharged, the CPCT will need to obtain vital signs, remove any peripheral intravenous devices, gather the patient's belongings, remove ECG stickers from the patient's skin, and assist the nursing staff with other functions. The CPCT can be required to assist the patient to a wheelchair or other assistive device. The CPCT can also be required to bring the patient to the facility's entrance for pick up.

Follow the Established Restorative Plan of Care Ordered for the Patient

The CPCT is integral to restorative care. Restorative care is care given to patients to help them become as independent as possible, following a medical or surgical event. It is critical for the CPCT to allow patients to do as many ADLs as possible, without interference. For example, if a patient is trying to get dressed or organize something, but is taking a long time to do so, the CPCT should not interrupt. Instead, the CPCT should encourage the

patient and only provide assistance if absolutely necessary.

Perform Passive Rarge of Motion (ROM) for the Patient

Patients confined to a bed for long periods of time are at risk for developing contractures. Contractures are the abnormal shortening of the muscle or tendon, causing flexion of joints and the inability to move the affected extremity. Passive movement of the joints through their full ROM has been show to prevent contractures. The CPCT is responsible for performing ROM exercises with patients. The passive part of this exercise means moving

the joint through its full ROM without assistance from the patient. Active ROM means the patient performs the motions independently. ROM exercises should be performed at least twice daily, moving each joint five times before returning it to its neutral position. Never push a joint further than it can move.

Assist with Restorative Rehabilitation Activities

Following certain medical conditions or surgical procedures, patients can lose control of their bladders or bowels. Physicians can order exercises to help patients regain control of their bodily functions. The CPCT is responsible for providing reminders on when to perform these exercises. Nurses are responsible for educating the patients on how to perform each exercise.