You are assisting a resident with personal care and notice a new, open blister on their heel that was not present during your shift yesterday. The resident does not complain of pain. What should the HCA do FIRST?

Question: You are assisting a resident with personal care and notice a new, open blister on their heel that was not present during your shift yesterday. The resident does not complain of pain. What should the HCA do FIRST?

Answer options:

• Apply a small bandage to the blister and continue with care. ✅ Document the finding in the resident's chart and notify the nurse.
• Elevate the resident's foot to reduce pressure.
• Clean the area with antiseptic wipe and observe for the rest of the shift.

Correct answer: Document the finding in the resident's chart and notify the nurse.

Explanation: Any new skin breakdown or significant change in a resident's condition, even if not causing pain, must be documented and immediately reported to the nurse for assessment and appropriate intervention, as it could indicate a developing pressure injury or other issue.