Connecticut CNA cheat sheet

Hand hygiene: scrub with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, cleaning under the nails and between fingers; use alcohol-based rub only when hands are not visibly soiled.

Adult vital-sign ranges: oral temperature 97.6–99.6°F, pulse 60–100 beats/min, respirations 12–20/min, blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg, oxygen saturation 95–100%.

Count respirations for a full minute when the rhythm is irregular; when regular, count for 30 seconds and multiply by two. Do not announce that you are counting.

Deflate a blood-pressure cuff at 2–3 mmHg per second after inflating to about 30 mmHg above the point where the radial pulse disappeared.

Turn and reposition an immobile resident at least every 2 hours and inspect bony prominences each time for nonblanchable redness, the first sign of a pressure injury.

Intake and output: 1 ounce equals 30 milliliters; measure at eye level and record each amount as it occurs rather than at the end of the shift.

Range of motion is performed only to the point of resistance; never force a joint, and stop immediately if the resident reports pain.

Before any transfer: lock the wheels, raise the bed to working height, apply a gait belt, keep the resident close, and pivot toward the stronger side.

A restraint requires a physician's order; check circulation and breathing every 15 minutes and release, reposition, offer fluids, and toilet every 2 hours.

Maslow's hierarchy is ordered physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, self-actualization; lower needs are met before higher ones can be addressed.

Kübler-Ross stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance; residents may move back and forth rather than in a fixed sequence.

Erikson's task for late life is integrity versus despair; listening to life stories and honoring accomplishments supports a sense of worth.

Validation means accepting and acknowledging the feeling behind a confused resident's statement instead of correcting the facts; correcting increases agitation.

With aphasia: allow extra time, ask yes-or-no questions, use gestures and pictures, and never finish the resident's sentences or talk over the resident.

With hearing loss: face the resident, get attention first, speak clearly at a slightly lower pitch, reduce background noise, and never shout into the ear.

Signs of depression in older adults include withdrawal, appetite change, sleep change, tearfulness, and hopeless statements; report these to the charge nurse.

Confidentiality: discuss resident care only in private areas with the care team; never in hallways, elevators, dining rooms, or with media or visitors.

For an angry or combative resident: stay calm, keep a safe distance with an open exit, do not argue or grab, and call for help.

CNA scope covers assistance with activities of daily living and basic nursing tasks; the aide does not give medications, perform sterile procedures, complete initial assessments, or teach residents.

Report changes in condition and abnormal findings to the charge nurse immediately; the aide records observations, not diagnoses or interpretations.

Documentation uses black ink, facts in time order, and a signature with name and title; chart care after it is given, never before, and never chart for another person.

Correct a charting error with a single line, the word 'error,' initials, and date; erasing, scribbling out, or using white-out is prohibited.

An incident report is a factual account of an unusual event used for investigation and prevention; filing it is not mentioned in the resident's progress notes.

OBRA requires at least 75 hours of nurse aide training before certification and at least 12 hours of in-service education each year thereafter.

Standard precautions apply to every resident: treat all blood, body fluids, secretions, and broken skin as infectious, wear gloves for contact, and wash hands after removal.

Suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property must be reported immediately to the charge nurse and per facility policy; aides are mandated reporters.

If asked to perform a task outside training or the job description, decline, state the reason, and report the request to the charge nurse; residents retain rights to dignity, privacy, choice, refusal, and grievance without retaliation.