Final answer:
A Nursing Assistant (NA) should provide attentive and compassionate care tailored to the needs and comfort of a dying resident with diminished senses, including collaborating with healthcare professionals and adjusting the environment to suit sensory losses.
Step-by-step explanation:
When caring for a dying resident with diminished senses, a Nursing Assistant (NA) should ensure to provide supportive and compassionate care conducive to the patient's comfort and needs. This typically involves adjusting the care approach to accommodate for the patient's sensory losses, being more attentive and ensuring clear and gentle communication. Since NAs are often the frontline of patient care, they should collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional, to review aloud key concerns for the recovery and ongoing care of the patient.
The NA's role includes maintaining a quiet environment, speaking softly but clearly, and possibly utilizing non-verbal forms of communication if necessary. Use of touch, with permission, can also be soothing and provide a sense of connection. Sensitivity to a resident's comfort through adjustments in lighting, noise level, and room temperature is also important. Accurate and attentive care to a dying patient not only improves their quality of life but also provides solace and support to their family and loved ones during a difficult time.