urse Aide Practice Exam 2025 - Free Nurse Aide Practice Questions and Study Guide

The primary responsibility of a nurse aide when observing a resident's physical changes during bathing is to report the observation to the charge nurse. This action is vital because the charge nurse is trained to assess the situation further and determine the appropriate response or intervention needed. Observing physical changes may indicate a health issue that requires immediate attention, and timely communication with a qualified healthcare professional is essential to ensure the resident's well-being.

While documenting the observation is important, it typically comes after the immediate action of reporting to ensure that the charge nurse can take prompt action if needed. Additionally, notifying the resident's family might be necessary later but is typically not the nurse aide's primary concern in the moment of observation. Soaking the affected area immediately might not be appropriate unless specifically directed and is not typically within the scope of duty for a nurse aide without proper assessment by a nurse. Therefore, the timely communication to the charge nurse aligns with the best practice for patient care and safety.