DC CNA key terms

Everyday self-care tasks a person does to live independently, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, walking, and moving from bed to chair. Nurse aides help residents with the tasks they cannot safely complete alone.

Moving a joint through its full, normal arc of motion. Active range of motion is done by the resident; passive range of motion is performed by the aide when the resident cannot move the joint independently.

A permanent shortening and tightening of muscle, tendon, or other tissue that pulls a joint into a fixed, bent position. Frequent range-of-motion exercise and correct positioning help prevent it.

Localized damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, usually over a bony area such as the heel, hip, or tailbone. Repositioning, skin checks, and keeping skin clean and dry help prevent it.

Cleaning the genital and anal area, always wiping from front to back to keep stool away from the urinary opening. It is given during bathing and after toileting or incontinence to prevent infection and skin breakdown.

A semi-sitting position in which the head of the bed is raised about 45 to 60 degrees and the knees may be slightly bent. It helps with breathing and eating and reduces the risk of aspiration.

A side-lying position with the resident on the left side, the lower arm behind the body, and the upper leg bent forward. It is used for enemas, rectal temperature, and some exams.

A sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up after lying or sitting, causing dizziness, blurred vision, or fainting. Aides should raise residents slowly and stay close during transfers.

The pulse felt on the thumb side of the wrist, created by blood flowing through the radial artery. It is counted for 30 seconds and doubled when the rhythm is regular, or for a full minute if irregular.

The heartbeat heard with a stethoscope over the point of the heart, at the fifth rib space on the left side of the chest. It is counted for a full minute, often to check for a pulse deficit.

The act of breathing in and out. Aides count the rise and fall of the chest for 30 seconds and double it, or count a full minute if the rate or rhythm is abnormal, without telling the resident.

A noninvasive test that uses a small clip on the finger or earlobe to estimate how much oxygen the blood is carrying. A normal reading is usually 95 to 100 percent; lower values are reported to the nurse.

A tube placed through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine continuously into a collection bag. The bag is kept below bladder level, and the tubing is kept free of kinks to prevent infection and backflow.

Infection-control steps used with every resident, based on the idea that all blood, body fluids, secretions, and broken skin may carry germs. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub to remove germs. It is the single most effective way to prevent infection and is done before and after every resident contact.

Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn to keep germs from passing between residents and staff. The aide puts on PPE before contact and removes it carefully before leaving the room.

Extra precautions used with residents who have a known or suspected contagious infection, grouped as contact, droplet, and airborne. They are used along with standard precautions and may include a private room, masks, or special handling.

A physical device or medication that limits a person's freedom of movement and is used only when less restrictive measures fail. Aides monitor the resident, check circulation, and release and reposition at least every two hours.

A fire-response acronym: Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm by pulling the alarm or calling, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish or Evacuate. Aides should know their facility's fire plan and evacuation routes.

Steps taken to reduce a resident's risk of falling, such as keeping the bed low, call light in reach, floor dry, good lighting, non-skid shoes, and regular checks. Residents at high risk are watched more closely.

Emergency care for a person who is not breathing or has no pulse. It combines chest compressions at 100 to 120 per minute with rescue breaths, at a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths for an adult.

A blocked airway that keeps air from moving in or out, often caused by food. For a conscious choking adult, give abdominal thrusts until the object comes out or the person becomes unresponsive.

Fully focusing on what a resident says, including words, tone, and body language, and showing that you heard it. It includes facing the person, making eye contact, nodding, and restating the message.

Purposeful conversation that helps a resident feel understood and supports coping, using open questions, gentle touch, and silence. It avoids arguing, giving advice, or changing the subject.

Trouble using or understanding words caused by damage to the brain, often after a stroke. Aides help by speaking slowly, using gestures and pictures, allowing extra time, and never pretending to understand.

The set of tasks a nurse aide is allowed by law and training to perform, based on state rules. Performing tasks outside that scope, such as giving medication or advising on treatment, can harm residents and lead to discipline.

The registered nurse's transfer of a specific task, with the authority and responsibility for supervision, to a nurse aide who is competent to do it. The aide may refuse a task they are not trained for and must report results.

A written record of an unusual event such as a fall, injury, error, or missing item, made for the facility's quality review. The aide documents facts promptly and does not mention the report to the resident or family.

A legal document written before a person becomes unable to decide, telling others what medical care they would want. Examples include a living will and a health care power of attorney.

A doctor's order that says CPR should not be started if a resident stops breathing or has no heartbeat. Aides honor it, keep it with the resident's record, and call for the nurse instead of beginning CPR.

Doing something on purpose that harms a resident, such as hitting, shouting, stealing, ignoring care needs, or forcing unwanted sexual contact. Aides must report any suspected abuse right away.

The legal duty of nurse aides and other caregivers to report known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident to the charge nurse and the proper agency. Failure to report can lead to criminal charges.

A group of brain disorders causing a slow, ongoing loss of memory, thinking, and ability to do daily tasks, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause. Care focuses on safety, routine, and dignity.

A sudden change in thinking and attention, often with confusion, restlessness, or seeing things that are not there. It usually comes from illness, dehydration, or medicines and often goes away when the cause is treated.

Walking away without a purpose or direction, common in dementia, which can lead to getting lost or injured. Aides keep the resident in view, use safe activities, and make sure doors and alarms work.

A way of responding to a person with dementia that accepts their feelings and reality instead of correcting false ideas. It builds trust and lowers distress by listening, echoing, and comforting.

Difficulty swallowing that can cause coughing, choking, or food collecting in the mouth. Aides follow texture and liquid orders, sit the resident upright, and give small bites and enough time.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the airway instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking and lung infection, so aides position residents upright and watch for coughing during meals.

Keeping track of all fluids a resident drinks and all urine, vomit, wound drainage, or liquid stool that comes out, measured in milliliters. Reported changes help the nurse spot dehydration or fluid overload.

A lack of enough fluid in the body, showing as dark strong urine, dry mouth, thirst, or confusion. Aides offer fluids often within diet orders and report low intake, fever, or vomiting to the nurse.