Connecticut CNA key terms

Everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and using the toilet. Nurse aides help residents with these tasks when they cannot do them alone, while encouraging as much independence as possible.

The normal amount a joint can move in each direction. Range-of-motion exercises keep joints flexible; passive ROM means the aide moves the joint for the resident, while active ROM means the resident moves it.

Using correct posture and body alignment when lifting, moving, or transferring to protect your own back and the resident's safety. Keep feet apart, bend the knees, hold the load close, and avoid twisting.

A wide strap fastened around a resident's waist that gives the aide a secure hold during transfers and walking. It must be checked for wear and placed over clothing, never on bare skin or under the arms.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, usually over bony areas such as the hips, heels, or tailbone. It starts as redness that does not fade and can progress to an open wound.

Turning and moving a resident into a new position on a regular schedule, often at least every two hours, to relieve pressure on the skin and prevent pressure injuries and stiffness.

A permanent shortening of muscle or tendon that pulls a joint into a fixed, bent position. It develops when a limb is not moved or exercised, so range-of-motion exercise and proper positioning help prevent it.

Measuring and recording all fluids a resident drinks and all urine, vomit, or drainage that leaves the body, usually in milliliters. Comparing totals helps the care team spot dehydration or fluid retention.

A medical order meaning nothing by mouth: no food, fluids, ice chips, or oral medications. The aide posts the sign, removes liquids from the bedside, and reminds the resident why.

Breathing food, liquid, vomit, or saliva into the airway instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking or pneumonia, so residents with swallowing problems are positioned upright and watched closely while eating.

Difficulty swallowing that can lead to choking, coughing, or aspiration. Aides follow the care plan for food texture, thickened liquids, positioning, and special swallowing techniques during meals.

Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn to block contact with blood, body fluids, and germs. Aides put it on before a task, remove it carefully afterward, and then wash their hands.

Temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and often pain and oxygen saturation. Aides measure and report them because a change can be the first sign that a resident is getting sicker.

Cleaning the genital and anal area, always wiping front to back, to remove urine, stool, and germs. It is done during bathing and after toileting or incontinence to prevent infection and skin breakdown.

Any device, such as a belt or vest, or any method that limits a resident's freedom of movement and cannot be easily removed. Restraints need a doctor's order and are used only when less restrictive options fail.

A drop in blood pressure that happens when a person stands or sits up too quickly, causing dizziness or fainting. Aides help by changing positions slowly and having the resident sit before standing.

Understanding and sharing what another person is feeling and letting them know you see their situation. It focuses on the resident's experience rather than on your own feelings about it.

Giving full attention to a resident by facing them, making eye contact, nodding, and restating what you heard. It shows respect and helps you catch concerns the resident might not say directly.

Purposeful talking and listening that supports a resident's emotional and physical well-being. It uses open questions, silence, and honest, simple answers, and avoids arguing, judging, or giving false reassurance.

The legal freedoms every nursing home resident has, including privacy, dignity, choice, visitors, personal belongings, and freedom from abuse. Aides protect these rights and report any violation.

Encouraging a resident to talk about past experiences, often with photos, music, or objects, to build rapport and support identity and mood. It works well with older adults and people who have dementia.

Gently reminding a confused resident of who they are, where they are, the date, and what is happening. Calendars, clocks, and consistent routines support it, and it is offered without arguing or scolding.

The emotional response to loss, which can include sadness, anger, guilt, and withdrawal. Aides allow residents to express feelings, listen without judging, and report signs of severe or prolonged grief.

A mood disorder causing lasting sadness, loss of interest, poor appetite, sleep changes, and hopelessness. In older adults it is often mistaken for normal aging, so aides report changes in mood or activity.

Calming techniques used when a resident is agitated or angry, such as speaking softly, giving space, and removing triggers. The goal is to prevent injury to the resident, staff, and others.

Respecting and adjusting care to a resident's culture, language, religion, and customs. It means asking about preferences rather than assuming, and honoring food, hygiene, and family practices.

The area around a person that feels private and should not be entered without warning. Aides knock, announce themselves, explain what they will do, and pull curtains to respect it.

The tasks and duties a nurse aide is legally allowed to perform, based on state law and training. Doing something outside that scope, such as giving medication, is unsafe and may be illegal.

Transferring a specific task to another person who is competent to do it, while the delegating nurse keeps responsibility for the outcome. Aides accept only tasks within their training and ask when unsure.

The line of authority in a facility, from the aide to the charge nurse, director of nursing, and administrator. Aides report problems to the charge nurse first and follow the chain for unresolved concerns.

A written record of an unusual event such as a fall, injury, or medication error. It is completed factually right away and given to the nurse; it is not filed in the resident's chart.

Deliberately causing harm or pain to a resident, which can be physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, or financial. Aides must report any suspected abuse right away and protect the resident from further harm.

Failing to provide the care or basics a resident needs, such as food, water, hygiene, safety, or medical attention. It may be intentional or caused by caregiver stress, and it must be reported.

The legal duty of nurse aides and other caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the nurse and, in Connecticut, to the proper authorities. Good-faith reports are protected.

An advocate who investigates complaints made by or for nursing home residents and helps resolve problems with the facility. The ombudsman's contact information must be posted where residents can see it.

A legal document that states a person's wishes for medical care if they can no longer speak for themselves. It may be a living will or a health care proxy naming someone to decide.

The written, individualized plan that lists a resident's needs, goals, and the steps staff take to meet them. Aides follow it, document care given, and report changes so the team can update it.

Keeping a resident's health, personal, and financial information private and sharing it only with staff who need it to give care. Gossip, public discussion, and unauthorized access violate rights and federal law.

Recording care given, observations, and changes in a resident's condition accurately and promptly. Entries must be factual, dated, timed, and signed, written in permanent ink, with errors corrected properly.