Indiana CNA flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Chain of command

The line of authority from the nurse aide to the charge nurse, then the RN, director of nursing, and administrator. The aide reports concerns to the charge nurse first.

Scope of practice

The tasks a nurse aide is legally allowed to perform under state law and facility policy. Anything outside that scope is refused and reported to the charge nurse.

Mandatory abuse reporting

Nurse aides are legally required to report suspected abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property to the charge nurse immediately and to the state agency as required by law.

Objective versus subjective charting

Objective charting records what can be seen, measured, or counted, such as 'ate 50% of lunch.' Opinions, guesses, and judgments are never documented in the record.

Resident rights

Guaranteed protections including privacy, dignity, personal choice, refusal of treatment, freedom from abuse and restraint, access to records, and visits from people the resident chooses.

Delegation accountability

When a nurse delegates a task, the nurse keeps responsibility for the outcome. The aide accepts only tasks within his or her training and may ask questions before agreeing.

When to notify the nurse

Report immediately any fall, skin breakdown, abnormal vital signs, bleeding, refusal of care, or sudden change in mental status or behavior.

RACE fire response

Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, then Extinguish or Evacuate. The steps are performed in that order during a fire.

PASS fire extinguisher

Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side while standing a safe distance back.

Fall prevention setup

Bed in the lowest position, wheels locked, call light within reach, non-skid footwear, clear path, and side rails used only as written in the care plan.

Oxygen safety rules

No smoking or open flames near oxygen, avoid petroleum-based products and electrical sparks, and keep cylinders upright, secured, and posted with warning signs.

Restraint requirements

A restraint needs a physician's order, must be the least restrictive type, is released and monitored on a schedule, and is never used as punishment or for convenience.

Body mechanics for lifting

Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, hold the load close, use a wide base of support, and never twist while lifting. Use a lift or get help.

Passive range of motion

Moving a resident's joint through its full motion while the resident stays relaxed. Support the joint above and below, and stop if the resident reports pain.

Repositioning schedule

Turn and reposition a bedbound resident at least every two hours, checking the skin at each turn for redness, warmth, or breakdown.

Orthostatic hypotension

A drop in blood pressure when a resident stands, causing dizziness or fainting. Prevent it by raising the head of the bed, dangling the legs, and rising slowly.

Signs of dehydration

Dark concentrated urine, dry mouth, poor skin turgor, and new confusion. Encourage fluids unless the resident has an ordered fluid restriction.

Feeding a dependent resident

Sit the resident upright, offer small bites, alternate with fluids, allow time to chew and swallow, and record the percentage of food eaten.

Contracture prevention

Keep joints aligned with pillows, hand rolls, and foot supports as ordered, perform range of motion, and encourage the resident to move independently.

Toileting schedule

Offering the bedpan or toilet at regular planned times helps maintain continence. Answering the call light promptly prevents incontinent episodes.

Normal adult pulse range

60 to 100 beats per minute. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two when regular, or count for a full minute when the rhythm is irregular.

Normal adult respiration range

12 to 20 breaths per minute. Count without telling the resident so breathing stays natural, and note the depth and regularity of each breath.

Hand hygiene timing

Wash or sanitize before and after every resident contact, after removing gloves, and after touching blood or body fluids. Gloves never replace handwashing.

Blood pressure cuff placement

Place the cuff on a bare arm at heart level. Avoid an arm with an IV, a dialysis fistula, or on the side of a mastectomy or lymphedema.

Bathing order rule

Wash the cleanest areas first, from face to arms to chest to legs, and wash the perineal area last so microorganisms are not spread to other body areas.

Denture care

Brush dentures, rinse them, and store them in a labeled cup of cool water when not worn. Hot water can warp them and they must never be lost or mixed up.

Perineal care direction

Cleanse from front to back, wiping away from the urethra, so bacteria from the rectal area are not carried into the urinary tract.

Signs of approaching death

Cheyne-Stokes breathing, mottled and cool skin, decreasing urine output, loss of interest in food, and increasing weakness and sleepiness.

Post-mortem care steps

Position the body supine, close the eyes, place dentures, keep the body clean and covered, honor religious or cultural practices, and notify the nurse.

Kubler-Ross grief stages

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Residents and families may move back and forth among these stages rather than in a straight line.

Hospice care goal

Comfort and quality of life rather than cure. Pain and symptom relief, emotional support, and family involvement are the priorities of care.

Seizure first aid

Protect the resident from injury, do not restrain or put anything in the mouth, time the seizure, and turn the resident onto the side afterward.

Hypoglycemia warning signs

Sweating, shakiness, hunger, confusion, and irritability. Report immediately and give a sugar source only as allowed by the care plan.