CNAMB key terms

Everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and moving from bed to chair. Nursing assistants help residents with these tasks while encouraging as much independence as is safe.

The amount of movement possible at a joint. Passive range of motion is done by the caregiver moving the joint; active range of motion is done by the resident moving the joint without help.

A permanent shortening of muscle or tendon that pulls a joint into a fixed, bent position, often caused by long periods of immobility. Regular range-of-motion exercise and repositioning help prevent it.

Localized damage to skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony area, caused by prolonged pressure, friction, or shearing. Prevention includes repositioning, checking the skin, and keeping skin clean and dry.

A wide strap fastened around a resident's waist that gives the caregiver a secure hold during transfers and walking. It is checked for wear and never used on a resident after abdominal surgery without nurse approval.

The use of correct posture, balance, and body alignment when lifting, moving, or carrying. Keeping the load close, bending the knees, and avoiding twisting protect both the caregiver and the resident.

A semi-sitting position in which the head of the bed is raised about 45 to 60 degrees and the knees are slightly bent. It eases breathing and eating and is often used for residents with shortness of breath.

Cleaning the genital and anal area, always wiping from front to back, to prevent infection and skin breakdown. It is done during bathing and after toileting or episodes of incontinence.

Measurements of temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and often oxygen saturation that show how well the body is working. They are recorded and reported so changes in condition are noticed early.

Infection-control practices applied to every resident regardless of diagnosis, treating all blood and body fluids as possibly infectious. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps.

Washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizer to remove germs. It is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection and is required before and after resident contact.

Gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, and face shields worn to keep the caregiver and resident from contact with infectious material. PPE is put on and removed in the correct order and disposed of properly.

The sequence of conditions that lets infection spread: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Breaking any one link stops transmission.

Any device or practice that limits a resident's freedom of movement and cannot be easily removed by the resident. Restraints need a physician's order and ongoing monitoring and are used only after less restrictive measures fail.

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish or Evacuate. Residents are moved to a safe area according to the facility's emergency plan.

Breathing food, liquid, vomit, or saliva into the airway instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking and pneumonia, so residents with swallowing problems are fed slowly and kept sitting upright.

The likelihood that a resident may fall, increased by medications, weakness, confusion, poor vision, or incontinence. Precautions include keeping the call light within reach, non-slip footwear, clear pathways, and frequent checks.

A resident's voluntary agreement to care or treatment after receiving an explanation of benefits, risks, and alternatives. It must be given by the resident or a legally authorized representative without pressure or coercion.

A written document, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, that states a person's treatment wishes if they can no longer decide. Staff follow it and report it to the nurse.

A federal law that protects the privacy and security of a person's health information. Staff share resident information only with those who need it for care and never discuss it in public areas.

An advocate who investigates complaints and protects the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. Residents may contact the ombudsman privately and without fear of retaliation.

A purposeful, respectful way of talking with residents that uses open questions, active listening, and empathy to build understanding and trust. It avoids judging, arguing, and giving personal advice.

The checks made before giving any medication: right resident, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation. Many facilities also add the right to refuse and the right reason.

A medication order meaning the drug is given only as needed, with stated symptoms and limits for use. The aide documents the reason, the time, and the effect after each dose.

The record listing a resident's ordered medications, doses, routes, and times, used to document each dose given. It must be accurate and secure, and any error or omission is reported to the nurse.

An unintended, harmful response to a medication, such as rash, vomiting, confusion, or trouble breathing. It is reported to the nurse right away and documented clearly.

A route in which medication is placed under the tongue to dissolve and be absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. Nothing is given by mouth afterward until the tablet has fully dissolved.

A medicated adhesive patch placed on intact skin that releases drug slowly over hours or days. The old patch is removed, the site is rotated, and the date is written on the new patch.

Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, often defined as 130/80 mm Hg or above. It usually causes no symptoms but raises the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage.

Difficulty swallowing, which raises the risk of choking and aspiration. Signs include coughing or drooling during meals, a wet or gurgly voice, and food collecting in the cheek.

Swelling caused by fluid trapped in body tissues, most often in the feet, ankles, and hands. The skin is checked for injury, and new or worsening swelling is reported to the nurse.

A condition in which body tissues do not get enough oxygen. Signs include restlessness, confusion, fast breathing, and bluish lips or nail beds, and it is treated as an emergency.

Observable, measurable information such as vital signs, weight, skin color, or measured urine output. It can be confirmed by others and is written down exactly as measured or seen.

Information a resident reports that cannot be directly observed or measured, such as pain, nausea, or dizziness. It is recorded in the resident's own words whenever possible.

A record of all fluids a resident drinks and all fluids lost through urine, vomit, wound drainage, or stool. Careful measurement helps detect dehydration or fluid buildup.

The tasks and duties a nursing assistant is legally allowed to perform under state law and facility policy. Doing tasks outside that scope, such as giving injections, is not permitted.

Failure to give the care a reasonable caregiver would give in the same situation, resulting in harm. Examples include leaving a resident alone during a transfer or ignoring a call light.

Deliberate harm or mistreatment of a resident, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, neglect, and misuse of property. Any suspected abuse must be reported immediately.

The legal duty of nursing assistants and other caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the nurse and to required authorities. Failing to report can lead to criminal and civil penalties.