Arkansas CNA key terms

A resident's voluntary agreement to a treatment or procedure after the caregiver explains what will happen, the risks, and the alternatives, given without pressure by someone who understands the information.

A written document, such as a living will or a health care power of attorney, that records a person's wishes about medical treatment in case they later cannot speak for themselves.

A resident's right to say no to any treatment, medication, food, or care task, even when staff disagree; the refusal is respected, charted, and reported instead of argued about.

The principle that residents may choose to accept reasonable risks, such as walking without help or eating a favorite food, in order to keep independence and a meaningful quality of life.

Care planned around each resident's own preferences, routines, culture, and goals rather than around staff convenience or a schedule that is the same for everyone.

An independent advocate from the state long-term care program who investigates resident complaints and helps resolve problems with the facility without the resident fearing retaliation.

A person the law requires, including nursing assistants, to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident to the state hotline and to the supervisor.

Steps taken to prevent falls, such as keeping the call light within reach, clearing clutter, locking bed and chair wheels, using non-skid footwear, and answering requests for help quickly.

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm the building, Confine the fire by closing doors, and Evacuate or Extinguish as directed by facility policy.

How to use a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side from a safe distance.

Using the body correctly to move or lift, with feet apart, back straight, load close to the body, and legs doing the work, to protect both the resident and the worker from injury.

Any device or method, physical or chemical, that limits a person's movement or access to their own body; it requires a doctor's order, regular monitoring, and release checks and is used only after other measures fail.

Ways to protect a resident during a seizure: clear the area, ease them to the floor, protect the head, loosen tight clothing, put nothing in the mouth, and time how long it lasts.

Squeezing inward and upward just above the navel to force air out of the lungs and dislodge an object when a person is choking and cannot breathe, speak, or cough.

When a resident leaves the facility or a supervised area without permission or staff knowledge; it is a safety emergency that must be reported at once and is prevented by monitoring and alarms.

Everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and moving from place to place; nursing assistants help residents do as much as they can for themselves.

Moving a joint through its full, normal arc, either by the resident (active) or by the caregiver (passive), to keep joints flexible when a resident cannot move alone.

A permanent shortening and tightening of muscle or tendon that freezes a joint in a bent position, caused by lack of movement; it is prevented by range of motion, repositioning, and proper alignment.

Damage to skin and tissue that happens when pressure, friction, or moisture cuts off blood flow, usually over a bony area; it is prevented by turning on a schedule and keeping skin clean and dry.

Cleaning the genital and anal area, always wiping front to back, to remove urine and stool, prevent infection, and keep skin intact; it is done during bathing and after each incontinence episode.

A wide strap fastened around a resident's waist to give the caregiver a firm, safe hold during walking or transfers; it is checked for fit and is never used to lift.

Steps that lower the risk of food or liquid entering the airway, such as sitting the resident upright, feeding slowly, offering small bites, thickening liquids, and stopping if coughing or gurgling starts.

Placing and supporting a resident's body in safe alignment, such as Fowler's or side-lying, to keep the airway open, protect the skin, and prevent pressure injuries and contractures.

The basic measurements of body function: temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, plus oxygen saturation and pain in many facilities; any change is reported promptly.

The heartbeat counted by pressing two fingers on the wrist on the thumb side, recorded as beats per minute along with rhythm and strength; the caregiver's thumb is never used.

One breath in and one breath out, counted by watching the chest rise and fall for a full minute without telling the resident, and noted for rate, depth, and ease.

The force of blood against artery walls, written as systolic over diastolic, measured with a cuff on the upper arm while the resident sits or lies still with the arm supported.

A small device placed on a finger that estimates how much oxygen the blood is carrying; a low reading is reported, and nail polish, cold hands, or movement can affect it.

The record of all fluids a resident drinks and receives and all urine, vomit, or drainage that leaves the body, usually measured in milliliters, to show whether hydration is on track.

A tool using numbers, faces, or words that helps a resident describe how bad pain is, when it started, and what helps; the resident's own report is always believed.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at the right moments, especially before and after resident contact, after body fluids, and before eating, to stop the spread of germs.

Everyday infection-control steps used with all residents, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps and spills, because any person may carry an infection.

Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection worn to block contact with blood, body fluids, and splashes; it is put on and removed in the correct order and never worn outside the resident's room.

The six links that must all be present for an infection to spread: germ, reservoir, exit, mode of travel, entry, and susceptible host; breaking any one link stops it.

Extra precautions used for known or suspected infections, such as contact, droplet, or airborne, which may include a private room, a sign on the door, and specific protective equipment.

Facts the caregiver observes or measures directly, such as a temperature of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or a reddened area on the skin, as opposed to what a resident says they feel.

Telling the charge nurse promptly when a resident's body or behavior is different from usual, describing what was seen, what was measured, and when it started, so treatment is not delayed.