9.1 Introduction

This unit covers care activities such as assisting with oxygen therapy and vital signs, and measuring height and weight. While administering oxygen is a restricted activity, as a Health Care Assistant you may be asked to care for clients receiving oxygen therapy. As an HCA you may also need to measure vital signs, such as taking a client’s temperature or pulse or measuring their respiratory rate. Vital signs must be accurately measured because they tell us a great deal about a client’s condition.

When assisting with oxygen therapy and vital signs, it is important to understand what type of care activity is required to help the client meet their needs and whether that care activity is within your HCA role. Remember, there are two types of care activities:

• Tasks: care activities that HCAs are educated and trained to perform as part of their assigned HCA role. For example, measuring temperature, pulse, respiratory rates, and height and weight are all tasks.
• Restricted activities: higher-risk care activities outlined in health professional regulations that an HCA cannot perform without authorization (delegation) by a regulated health professional, such as a registered nurse. Restricted activities are not considered HCA tasks. For example, administering oxygen is a restricted activity.