Final answer:
A nursing assistant should lower a resident who faints onto the floor to ensure their safety. CPR is not immediately performed unless the person is lifeless (not breathing or no pulse). Once on the floor, placing the resident in the recovery position is advisable if they are breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a resident faints, the correct action for a nursing assistant to take is to lower the resident on the floor to prevent injury from a fall. If a resident faints, they may be experiencing a sudden drop in blood pressure or another issue that causes a loss of consciousness. It is important to ensure they do not sustain injuries from falling. After safely guiding the resident to the floor, the nursing assistant can then check for breathing and a pulse. If there is no breathing or pulse, CPR may be necessary.
However, CPR should not be performed immediately unless the person shows signs of lifelessness, such as not breathing or not having a pulse. Administering CPR is not effective for someone who has simply fainted and might regain consciousness on their own. Additionally, it's important to understand that the CPR technique involves proper positioning of the hands on the sternum between the lines at T4 and T9 to maintain the flow of blood until the heart resumes beating. Therefore, positioning the resident on their side, known as the recovery position, is appropriate once they are on the floor if they are breathing, as it can help maintain a clear airway and prevent aspiration if they vomit.