Kentucky CNA (SRNA) key terms

The basic self-care tasks a person does every day, including bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and moving around. Aides help with these tasks while encouraging the resident to do as much as possible alone.

A wide strap buckled around a resident's waist that gives the aide a firm handhold during standing, walking, and transfers. It is snug but not tight and is never used instead of following the care plan.

Washing the genital and anal area, always wiping from front to back, to prevent infection and keep skin healthy. It is done during bathing, after toileting, and whenever the resident is incontinent.

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

Infection-control steps used with every resident no matter what the diagnosis, such as hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and careful handling of body fluids and sharp objects. All blood and body fluids are treated as infectious.

Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn to keep the aide's skin and clothing from touching blood, body fluids, or infectious material. It is put on and taken off in the correct order, with hand hygiene afterward.

Changing a resident's body position on a regular schedule so pressure does not stay on one spot. Dependent residents are usually turned at least every two hours, and the skin is checked each time.

Damage to skin and the tissue beneath it caused by steady pressure, often over bony areas such as the heels, hips, and tailbone. Prevention includes repositioning, keeping skin clean and dry, and good nutrition.

A position in which the resident sits up in bed with the head of the bed raised 45 to 90 degrees. It helps breathing, makes eating safer, and lowers the risk of aspiration.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the lungs instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking and pneumonia, so at-risk residents are fed slowly and kept upright during and after meals.

A medical order meaning nothing by mouth, including food, water, ice chips, and pills. The aide removes the water pitcher, posts a sign, and reminds visitors not to offer anything to eat or drink.

Measuring and recording everything a resident drinks and everything that leaves the body as urine, vomit, or drainage. Accurate records help the nurse judge hydration, kidney function, and fluid balance.

Routine care of a tube that drains urine from the bladder. The aide keeps the bag below bladder level, never lets it touch the floor, keeps tubing unkinked, and cleans the area during hygiene.

Actions that lower the chance a resident will fall, such as answering call lights promptly, keeping the path clear, using non-skid footwear, and following the care plan for how much help the resident needs.

The full amount of movement a joint can make in its normal directions. In active range of motion the resident moves the joint; in passive range of motion the aide moves it for the resident.

A permanent tightening and shortening of a muscle or tendon that pulls a joint into a bent position. It develops when limbs are not moved regularly and can be prevented with range-of-motion exercise and good positioning.

Care that helps a resident regain or keep the highest level of function possible after illness or disability. It means practicing real tasks, such as dressing or walking, rather than doing everything for the resident.

Walking, with or without a device such as a cane, walker, or gait belt. The aide walks at the resident's side, watches for dizziness, and follows the care plan for how much assistance is allowed.

A scheduled toileting plan that helps a resident regain bladder control by offering the toilet at set times and slowly lengthening the time between trips. It needs patience, encouragement, and quick answers to requests.

Calmly reminding a confused resident of the date, time, place, and people around them. It helps people with mild confusion and is not usually helpful for residents in the later stages of dementia.

Responding to a confused resident by accepting the feelings behind what they say instead of correcting the facts. It eases distress in dementia because the resident feels heard and safe.

Encouraging a resident to talk about past experiences, sometimes with photos, music, or familiar objects. It supports identity and self-worth and can reduce agitation and isolation.

Care that treats each resident as an individual and respects their preferences, routines, and choices instead of applying one schedule to everyone. It supports independence, dignity, and self-esteem.

The skill of caring for people whose language, values, religion, and customs differ from your own. It means asking about and respecting each resident's preferences rather than assuming everyone wants the same thing.

Supporting a resident's sense of meaning, purpose, and connection through prayer, rituals, meditation, or simply listening. The aide respects beliefs, provides privacy, and reports requests to see clergy.

Giving a resident full attention, noticing tone of voice and body language, and repeating back what was said to check understanding. It builds trust and helps the aide respond to feelings, not just words.

A short, organized way to report a change in a resident: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. It gives the nurse the key facts quickly and reduces mistakes.

Facts the aide can see, hear, smell, or measure, such as a temperature of 101 degrees, a reddened area, or urine that smells strong. It is reported and written down instead of opinions.

Any device or method that limits a resident's movement and cannot be removed easily by the resident, such as a vest or lap belt. Restraints need a doctor's order and are never used for punishment or convenience.

Legally protected freedoms of people in long-term care, including dignity, privacy, choice, visitors, keeping personal items, freedom from abuse, and the right to complain without punishment.

An independent advocate who looks into complaints made by or for residents in long-term care and helps settle them. The service is free and does not report to the facility.

A written document that states a person's wishes about medical treatment in case the person can no longer speak for themselves. Living wills and durable power of attorney for health care are examples.

Keeping a resident's personal and health information private and sharing it only with staff who need it to give care. Aides should not discuss residents in hallways, elevators, or on social media.

Deliberate harm to a resident, which may be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial, such as hitting, threats, or stealing. Aides must report any suspected abuse at once.

Failing to give a resident the care they need, such as food, water, cleanliness, safety, or medical attention. Neglect may be on purpose or because someone did not know better, and it must be reported.

The legal duty of a nurse aide to report known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident to the charge nurse and the proper agency. Failing to report can be a crime.

The tasks and duties a nurse aide is legally allowed to do based on training and state law. An aide must refuse any task outside that scope and tell the nurse.

The order of authority in a facility showing who reports to whom. An aide takes a problem or unanswered request to the charge nurse first, then up the line if needed.

Giving a task to another worker while the person who delegates keeps responsibility for the result. Nurses may delegate some tasks to aides when the aide is trained and the task is allowed by law.