Florida CNA key terms

Measurements that show how well the body is working: temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and usually pain and oxygen level. Aides take them accurately and report anything outside the resident's normal range.

The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries, written as two numbers, systolic over diastolic. Aides measure it correctly and report readings that are very high, very low, or different from usual.

The number of heartbeats in one minute, felt by pressing an artery against a bone, such as at the wrist. Aides note the rate, rhythm, and strength and compare them with earlier readings.

One breath in plus one breath out. Aides count breaths for a full minute, watching rate, depth, and effort, and try not to let the resident know so breathing stays natural.

Moving a joint through its full, comfortable limits to keep it flexible and to keep muscles strong. Active range of motion is done by the resident; passive range of motion is done with the aide's help.

A permanent tightening and shortening of a muscle or joint that blocks normal movement, usually from staying in one position too long. Regular range of motion and good positioning help prevent it.

Damage to skin and the tissue under it caused by steady pressure over a bony area, like the tailbone, heel, or hip. It begins as redness or a sore and can become a deep wound.

Changing a resident's position on a set schedule, such as every two hours, so pressure does not build up on one spot. It protects the skin and improves comfort and circulation.

A wide strap buckled around a resident's waist that gives the aide a firm, safe grip during walking and transfers. It is a handhold, never a lifting strap, and is removed after use.

Using the body correctly to move or lift safely: feet apart, back straight, work close, and push with the legs instead of pulling with the back. It protects both the resident and the aide.

A record of every fluid a resident takes in by mouth, tube, or IV and every fluid that leaves as urine, vomit, or drainage. Careful measuring helps the nurse detect dehydration or fluid overload.

Difficulty swallowing that makes food, liquid, or pills easy to inhale into the airway. Aides follow special diet orders, sit the resident upright, and offer small bites and extra time.

Breathing food, liquid, vomit, or saliva into the lungs instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking or pneumonia, so coughing, choking, or a wet voice during meals is reported right away.

A medical order meaning nothing by mouth, so the resident receives no food, water, ice, or pills orally. Aides remove water pitchers and snacks and give frequent mouth care for comfort instead.

Washing the genital and anal area using a clean part of the washcloth for each stroke, always front to back. It prevents infection and odor and is done during bathing and after episodes of incontinence.

Everyday infection-control steps used with all residents: hand hygiene, gloves and other barriers, clean equipment, and safe handling of soiled linens and sharp items. They assume any body fluid may carry germs.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer before and after resident contact, after gloves come off, and after touching soiled items. It is the most effective way to prevent spreading infection.

A device or method that stops a resident from moving freely, such as a vest, wrist strap, or lap belt, used only with a doctor's order. Aides check often for breathing, circulation, and unmet needs.

Recognizing and understanding what another person is feeling and letting them know you understand. It is different from sympathy, which is feeling pity for someone's trouble.

Paying full attention to a resident, noticing tone and body language, and showing with nods or short replies that you are following. It invites the resident to say more.

Planned conversation that supports a resident's well-being, using open-ended questions, silence, and restating what was said. It avoids arguing, judging, changing the subject, and giving false reassurance.

The legal protections every nursing home resident has, including privacy, dignity, choice, visitors, personal belongings, and freedom from abuse and unnecessary restraint. Aides must honor them in every task.

Keeping a resident's personal and medical information private and sharing it only with staff who need it to give care. It also means not discussing residents in hallways, elevators, or online.

Treating each resident as a person of worth: covering the body, closing doors, asking before touching, and respecting their choices. Dignity is shown in how care is given, not just what is done.

Planning care around each resident's own habits, likes, culture, and goals instead of around staff convenience. The resident and family help decide how daily care is delivered.

A resident's right to make their own decisions about care, schedule, and daily life, even when the aide would choose differently. Aides support it by offering real choices.

Respecting and adjusting to a resident's language, religion, food, family roles, and health beliefs. It means asking about preferences instead of assuming everyone wants the same care.

Accepting and responding to the feelings behind a confused resident's words rather than correcting the facts. Aides listen, acknowledge the emotion, and redirect gently to reduce distress.

Restless, upset behavior such as pacing, shouting, hitting, or resisting care. It often signals pain, fear, too much noise, or an unmet need, so aides stay calm, look for the cause, and report.

The tasks and duties a nursing assistant is legally allowed to perform, set by state law and facility policy. Giving medicine or assessing a resident is outside that scope.

The nurse's assignment of a specific task to a nursing assistant who has been trained to do it. The nurse keeps responsibility for the resident's care and the aide reports the results.

The line of authority in a facility that shows whom to report to and who to go to when a problem is beyond your role. Aides usually report first to the charge nurse.

The state law that defines nursing practice, sets licensing rules, and states what nursing assistants may and may not do. It is enforced by the state board of nursing.

The federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, which set minimum standards for nursing home care, aide training, competency testing, and resident rights. It also created the nurse aide registry and requires ongoing inservice education.

Any deliberate action that harms a resident, such as hitting, yelling, threatening, unwanted sexual contact, stealing, or improper confinement. Aides must report suspected abuse at once.

Failing to give the care a resident needs, on purpose or through carelessness, such as leaving someone wet, hungry, or unattended. It is a form of mistreatment and must be reported.

The legal duty of nursing assistants and other caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the nurse in charge and to the proper state agency. Failure can bring criminal charges.

The written, individualized plan of care that lists a resident's needs, goals, and the specific tasks staff are to do. Aides follow it and report changes that call for an update.

The written or electronic record of care given, observations made, and anything reported to the nurse. It must be accurate, timely, objective, and signed, and it is a legal record.

A legal document that states a resident's wishes about medical treatment, such as a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care. Aides honor them but do not interpret them.