Kansas CNA key terms

The legally protected freedoms every nursing home resident keeps, such as privacy, dignity, choice, visitors, personal belongings, and freedom from abuse. CNAs must honor these rights during every task and report any violation.

A resident's legal ability to say no to any treatment, meal, bath, or medication. The CNA accepts the refusal without arguing, documents it, and tells the nurse so risks can be addressed.

A written document, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, stating a resident's wishes about future medical treatment. The CNA follows the care plan and refers questions to the nurse.

A trained advocate who investigates complaints made by or for residents of long-term care facilities and helps protect their rights. Contact information is posted where residents and families can see it.

Keeping a resident's health, personal, and financial information private and sharing it only with staff who need it to give care. CNAs avoid discussing residents in hallways, elevators, or on social media.

Abuse is intentional harm that may be physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, or financial; neglect is failing to provide needed care. CNAs must report any suspicion immediately to the nurse or administrator, as law requires.

Any device or medicine that limits a resident's freedom of movement and is used only for safety with a doctor's order. CNAs check the resident often, release the device on schedule, and offer food, fluids, and toileting.

Steps taken to prevent a resident from falling, such as clearing clutter, keeping the call light in reach, locking bed and wheelchair wheels, using night lights, and answering requests quickly. High-risk residents need frequent checks and help walking.

Using proper alignment, a wide base of support, and bent knees while lifting or moving residents so the CNA's back and the resident stay safe. Keep the load close and ask for help when needed.

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in immediate danger, pull the Alarm, Confine the fire by closing doors, and Evacuate or Extinguish if safe. CNAs follow the facility fire plan and never use elevators.

When a resident leaves the facility or a supervised area without permission or an escort, a serious safety event. CNAs watch for wandering, keep exits monitored, and report a missing resident at once.

A factual written record of an unexpected event such as a fall, injury, medication error, or missing item. The CNA documents what was seen and done, signs it, and avoids blame in the record.

Infection-control practices used for every resident, assuming all blood and body fluids can carry germs. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, and safe handling of sharps and linens.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at key moments: before and after resident contact, after body fluids, before eating, and after removing gloves. It is the single most effective way to prevent infection spread.

Barriers such as gloves, gown, mask, goggles, and face shield worn to protect the CNA from splashes and germs. Put them on before contact, remove without touching the outside, then wash hands.

Extra precautions used with a known or suspected infection, based on how it spreads: contact, droplet, or airborne. They are added to Standard Precautions and may include a private room, special mask, or dedicated equipment.

The six links germs need to cause infection: germ, reservoir, exit, mode of transmission, entry, and susceptible host. Hand hygiene, clean equipment, and covering coughs break the chain.

Everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, mouth care, and toileting. CNAs help residents do as much as they can for themselves and record what was actually done.

Damage to skin and tissue, usually over a bony area, caused by pressure, shearing, friction, or moisture. Prevention includes repositioning at least every two hours, keeping skin clean and dry, and good nutrition.

Cleaning the genital and anal area, always wiping front to back, using a clean cloth for each stroke, and rinsing well. It prevents infection and skin breakdown and is done during bathing and after toileting or incontinence.

Moving each joint as far as it can go in its normal directions, either by the resident (active) or by the CNA (passive). It prevents stiffness and contractures and is done gently within the care plan.

Regularly changing a resident's body position to relieve pressure on the skin and keep the lungs clear. Follow the scheduled turning times, usually at least every two hours, and use pillows to support good alignment.

Measurements of body temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and often oxygen saturation and pain. CNAs take them accurately, compare them with earlier readings, and report values outside the expected range.

A record of all fluids a resident drinks or receives and all urine, vomit, or drainage produced, usually measured in milliliters. Accurate measurement helps the nurse judge hydration and kidney function.

Asking a resident about pain, including where it hurts, how bad it is on a 0 to 10 scale, and what relieves it, plus watching for grimacing or guarding. Pain is what the resident says it is, and findings are reported.

Noticing changes in a resident's body, behavior, skin, eating, or elimination and telling the nurse promptly and factually. CNAs spend the most time with residents, so their reports often catch problems early.

A urine sample collected midstream after the area is cleansed so skin germs do not contaminate it. Label the container, send it to the lab promptly, and record the collection.

Purposeful conversation that supports a resident's emotional and physical comfort, using clear words, respect, privacy, and unhurried listening. It avoids arguing, giving personal advice, and changing the subject.

Giving full attention to a resident by facing them, making eye contact, nodding, and repeating or clarifying what was said. It shows the person is understood and helps CNAs learn what the resident needs.

A short, organized way to report a change: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It helps the CNA give the nurse clear, complete facts quickly, especially in an emergency.

Understanding and acknowledging how a resident feels without taking on the emotion yourself, shown by words such as "That sounds hard." It builds trust and differs from sympathy, which is feeling pity.

A common, treatable mood disorder with lasting sadness, loss of interest, changed sleep or appetite, fatigue, and hopelessness. CNAs report these signs, encourage activity and eating, and take any talk of suicide seriously.

The normal emotional response to loss, which may include sadness, anger, guilt, and withdrawal, and can follow the loss of a roommate, health, or independence. CNAs listen, allow tears, and do not impose their own beliefs.

A feeling of worry, dread, or unease that may cause restlessness, fast heartbeat, sweating, or repeated questions. CNAs stay calm, speak simply, stay with the resident, and report severe or new symptoms.

A group of brain conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, that slowly reduce memory, judgment, language, and the ability to do daily tasks. CNAs keep routines simple, calm, and consistent to lower frustration.

A pattern of increased confusion, restlessness, and agitation in late afternoon or evening in some residents with dementia. Bright daytime light, quiet evenings, fewer naps, and reassurance help reduce it.

Walking or pacing, often without a clear goal, common in dementia and a risk for falls and getting lost. CNAs allow safe walking, offer activities, monitor exits, and report changes.

Filling in memory gaps with made-up stories that the resident believes are true, without meaning to lie. CNAs do not argue or quiz the person; they respond to the feeling and redirect gently.

Accepting and acknowledging a confused resident's feelings and reality rather than correcting facts, which reduces distress. The CNA responds to the emotion behind the words and offers comfort.