What are the responsibilities of a nursing assistant before, during, and after a physical examination?

Before an exam, the nursing assistant collects linens, equipment, and supplies, prepares the room, transports the person, measures vital signs, weight, and height, and positions and drapes the person. During the exam, the assistant provides privacy, drapes the person, exposes only the body part being examined, hands instruments and supplies to the examiner, reassures the person, and protects the person from falling. After the exam, the assistant helps the person dress or return to a comfortable position, cleans and restocks the exam area, processes or labels specimens, and discards used supplies according to center policy.

The nursing assistant's exact duties depend on center policy and examiner preference. Before the exam, the assistant gathers the needed equipment and supplies, arranges them on a tray or table, prepares the room and lighting, measures vital signs, height, and weight, and records the measurements on the exam form. The assistant also explains the exam to the person, positions and drapes the person as directed, and ensures the person is comfortable and protected. During the exam, the assistant follows the examiner's instructions: position the person as directed, drape to expose only the part being examined, hand instruments and equipment to the examiner, anticipate the examiner's needs, stay in the room when a female is examined for legal protection when a male examiner is present, reassure the person, protect the person from falls, and follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. After the exam, the assistant assists the person in dressing or returning to bed, cleans the perineal area if lubricant was used, discards disposable items, cleans reusable items such as otoscope and ophthalmoscope tips and stethoscope, sends reusable speculums to the supply area for sterilization, covers the exam table with a clean drawsheet or paper, labels specimens and takes them to the designated area with a requisition slip, cleans and straightens the exam room, and completes a safety check of the room. Throughout the process, the assistant must protect the person's privacy, dignity, and safety by proper draping and screening and by exposing only the body part being examined.