Georgia CNA key terms

The everyday self-care tasks a person does to live independently, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and moving from place to place. In long-term care the nurse aide usually assists with or performs most of these tasks.

The normal amount of movement a joint can make in each direction. Aides help keep joints flexible by doing range-of-motion exercises as directed, either letting the resident move the joint (active) or moving the limb for them (passive).

A permanent shortening and tightening of muscle or tendon that freezes a joint, often in a bent position. It develops when limbs are not moved regularly, which is why routine range-of-motion exercise and correct positioning matter so much.

Damage to skin and the tissue under it caused by unrelieved pressure, usually over bony areas such as the sacrum, hips, or heels. It may begin as reddened skin that does not blanch and can become an open wound.

Changing a resident's body position on a schedule, usually at least every two hours, to relieve pressure on bony areas and support circulation and breathing. Aides record each turn and report any new redness or skin breakdown.

Washing the genital and anal area, always wiping front to back, to remove urine and stool and to prevent infection and odor. It is done during bathing and after each episode of incontinence, with gloves worn and privacy protected.

A wide strap buckled around a resident's waist that gives the aide a firm, safe handhold while helping the person walk or move between surfaces. It is used only when appropriate for that resident and never as a substitute for proper lifting technique.

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

Difficulty swallowing that may show up as coughing, choking, drooling, a wet or gurgly voice, or food pocketed in the cheek during meals. Aides follow special diet and thickened-liquid orders and report any of these signs to the nurse.

Loss of bladder or bowel control that the person cannot prevent. Aides give prompt toileting, thorough skin care, and clean clothing without showing embarrassment, and report new or worsening incontinence to the nurse.

The basic infection-control practices used with every resident every time, because any body fluid may carry germs. They include hand hygiene, gloves and other protective equipment, and careful handling of sharps and soiled items.

Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn to keep germs from passing between the aide and the resident. Aides put it on before contact and remove it carefully before leaving the room, then clean their hands.

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

The six linked steps germs need in order to spread: a germ, a place to live, a way out, a way to travel, a way in, and a person who can get sick. Breaking any one link, such as by washing hands, stops infection.

Extra precautions used for residents with a known or suspected contagious illness, grouped as contact, droplet, and airborne. They are added to standard precautions and may include a private room, a mask, or a gown.

A puncture-resistant, clearly labeled container for used needles, lancets, and other sharp items. Aides never recap, bend, or reach into one, and they tell the nurse when it is nearly full.

A fire response reminder: Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Alarm the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, then Extinguish small fires or Evacuate. Aides follow the facility fire plan and never use elevators during a fire.

How to use a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side. Aides attempt this only on small fires and only after residents are safe.

Any device or method that limits a resident's movement and that the resident cannot easily remove, such as a vest, lap belt, or locked wheelchair brake. Restraints need a doctor's order, are a last resort, and are released and checked often.

How likely a resident is to fall because of weakness, medication, poor vision, confusion, or clutter and wet floors. Aides lower the risk by answering call lights quickly, keeping paths clear, using nonskid footwear, and keeping needed items within reach.

Using the body correctly to move and lift safely: feet apart, back straight, load held close, knees bent, and no twisting. Good body mechanics protect both the aide and the resident from injury.

Measurements of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and often oxygen level that show how well the body is working. Aides take and record them and report any reading outside the resident's usual range.

A painless test using a small clip on the finger or earlobe that estimates how much oxygen the blood is carrying, shown as a percentage. Low readings or a poor tracing are reported to the nurse.

Information an aide can see, hear, smell, measure, or touch, such as a temperature of 101 degrees, a reddened heel, or a pulse of 92. It is factual and is recorded exactly as observed.

Information the resident reports about how they feel, such as pain, dizziness, nausea, or sadness. The aide cannot measure it and records it in the resident's own words whenever possible.

Any new or worsening sign in a resident's physical or mental state compared with what is usual for that person. Aides must report it to the nurse right away instead of waiting until the end of the shift.

Gathering a sample of urine, stool, sputum, or another body fluid for laboratory testing. Aides use the ordered method and supplies, keep the sample clean, label the container, and send it promptly.

Giving full attention to a speaker by facing them, making eye contact, nodding, and asking brief clarifying questions. It shows respect and helps the aide notice worries or needs the resident has not stated directly.

Purposeful conversation that supports a resident's well-being, using open questions, restating, silence, and acceptance rather than advice or judgment. It builds trust and encourages the resident to share concerns.

A communication disorder, often after a stroke, in which a person has trouble speaking, understanding, reading, or writing even though thinking is unchanged. Aides speak slowly, use gestures and pictures, and allow extra time.

Messages sent without words, including facial expression, posture, tone of voice, touch, and distance. An aide's body language often carries more meaning to residents than the words being said.

Speaking about residents by naming the person before the condition, such as a resident with dementia rather than a demented resident. It protects dignity and avoids defining someone by a diagnosis or disability.

The legal protections every nursing home resident has, including dignity, privacy, choice, access to personal belongings and visitors, and freedom from abuse and unnecessary restraint. Aides must honor these rights and report any violation.

A resident's right to make their own choices about daily life and care, even choices an aide would not make, as long as the person is informed and not harming others. Aides support it by offering options and respecting refusals.

A written document made while a person can still decide, stating future medical wishes or naming someone to decide for them, such as a living will or a health care power of attorney. Aides honor and report these documents but do not interpret them.

Do Not Resuscitate: a doctor's order, based on the resident's or decision-maker's wishes, that CPR is not to be started if breathing or heartbeat stops. Aides confirm the order and call the nurse at once rather than beginning CPR.

The legal duty of caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident to the nurse in charge and to the proper state agency. Aides report facts, not opinions, and are protected when they report in good faith.

An independent advocate who looks into complaints made by or for nursing home residents and helps resolve them with the facility. Residents may contact the ombudsman privately and at no cost.

Responding to a confused resident by accepting and acknowledging their feelings and their version of reality instead of correcting them. It lowers distress and helps the person feel heard and safe.