Iowa CNA key terms

The set of tasks and duties a nurse aide is legally allowed and trained to perform, defined by state law and facility policy; doing anything outside it may be unsafe or illegal.

The licensed nurse's transfer of a specific nursing task to a nurse aide who has been trained and checked off on it. The nurse keeps responsibility for the resident's overall care.

The order of authority in a facility, showing whom a nurse aide reports to and whom to notify when a problem is above the aide's authority.

A person required by law, such as a nurse aide, to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident to the proper authorities, usually right away and also to the charge nurse.

Failing to give a resident the care and attention needed, such as leaving someone in soiled briefs, skipping meals, or not answering call lights; it is a form of mistreatment that must be reported.

Keeping a resident's personal and medical information private and sharing it only with staff who need it to give care; discussing residents in public areas or on social media is a violation.

A written document, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, that states a resident's wishes about treatment if they can no longer speak for themselves.

Federally protected privileges every nursing home resident has, including dignity, privacy, choice, visitors, freedom from abuse and restraint, and the right to see their own records.

An independent advocate who investigates complaints made by or for nursing home residents and helps resolve problems with the facility without the resident fearing retaliation.

Any physical device or chemical that limits a resident's freedom of movement and is used only when less restrictive measures have failed and a licensed provider has ordered it for a specific reason.

A resident's voluntary agreement to a treatment or procedure after being told its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives; the aide's role is usually to support understanding and report questions to the nurse.

A purposeful way of talking and listening that supports a resident's dignity and independence, using open questions, silence, and reflection while avoiding judgment, arguing, or false reassurance.

Giving full attention to a resident by facing them, making eye contact, nodding, and repeating back what was said so the person knows they were heard.

A loss or impairment of the ability to understand or produce speech, usually after a stroke; the aide should speak slowly, use gestures, and allow extra time for the resident to respond.

Washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based rub at the right moments, such as before and after resident contact and after gloves, and the single best way to prevent infection.

Basic infection-control steps used with every resident every time, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids, because any person may carry germs.

Gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, and other barriers worn to keep germs from touching the aide's skin, clothing, or mucous membranes during care.

Extra precautions used with a resident known or suspected to have a contagious illness, spread by contact, droplets, or airborne particles, and posted on the door with the required protective equipment.

The six 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 link stops infection.

The strict practice of keeping an area completely free of all germs, used for procedures such as catheter insertion or wound care; a sterile item that touches something non-sterile is considered contaminated.

Using the strongest muscles and proper alignment, with feet apart, back straight, and the load close to the body, to lift, move, or turn a resident safely and avoid injury to both people.

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm the fire department or pull the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Evacuate or Extinguish the fire if it is safe to do so.

Steps taken to prevent a resident from falling, such as keeping the bed low, the call light within reach, nonskid footwear, good lighting, and answering requests promptly.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: chest compressions, and for trained staff rescue breaths, given to a person who is not breathing or has no pulse, until help arrives or the code team takes over.

The measurements of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, often along with oxygen saturation and pain, that show how the body is working; changes are reported to the nurse.

A drop in blood pressure when a person stands up too quickly, causing dizziness or fainting; the aide should help the resident sit, dangle the legs, and stand slowly.

A painless test using a small clip on the finger or earlobe that estimates how much oxygen is in the blood; a reading outside the facility's expected range is reported to the nurse.

The force of blood against artery walls, written as two numbers, systolic over diastolic, and measured with a cuff and stethoscope or with an electronic device.

Keeping track of everything a resident drinks and everything that leaves the body as urine, vomit, or drainage, usually measured in milliliters, so the nurse can tell whether fluid balance is off.

Difficulty swallowing that raises the risk of choking and aspiration; the aide follows the ordered diet texture, thickens liquids if prescribed, and keeps the resident upright and eating slowly.

Breathing food, liquid, vomit, or saliva into the lungs instead of swallowing it, which can cause choking or pneumonia; signs include coughing, choking, or a wet voice during meals.

Food and fluid choices ordered for a specific health problem, such as low-sodium, low-sugar, or thickened liquids; the aide serves only what is ordered and never adds salt or sugar.

Moving a joint through its normal extent, either by the resident (active) or by the aide (passive), to keep joints flexible and muscles working when the resident cannot move independently.

A permanent shortening of muscles or tendons that locks a joint in a bent position, prevented by frequent position changes, range of motion, and proper body alignment.

A program that helps a resident regain and keep the highest possible function by encouraging them to do what they can for themselves, such as dressing or walking, with the aide's cueing and support.

Damage to skin and tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, especially over bony areas like the heels and tailbone; prevention includes turning, skin checks, keeping skin clean and dry, and good nutrition.

Activities of daily living: the everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and transferring that residents may need help with.

Cleaning the genital and anal area, always wiping front to back, with gloves and a washcloth or peri-bottle, to prevent infection and keep the resident clean and comfortable.

A general term for a decline in memory, thinking, and judgment severe enough to affect daily life, not a normal part of aging; the person's abilities and needs change over time.

A pattern of increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation in a person with dementia that usually begins late in the afternoon or evening; calm routines and reduced noise help.