Massachusetts CNA key terms

Measurements of the body's basic functions: temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure, and often oxygen saturation and pain. The nurse aide takes and records them and reports values outside the resident's usual range.

A record of how much fluid a resident drinks and how much is eliminated through urine, vomit, diarrhea, or drains. Accurate measurement helps the care team detect dehydration or fluid retention.

Moving a joint through its full normal movement, either by the resident (active) or by the aide (passive). It helps prevent stiffness, contractures, and loss of function in residents who cannot move easily.

Placing and supporting a resident's body in comfortable, safe alignment, such as side-lying or semi-Fowler's, and changing that position regularly. Good positioning protects skin, breathing, and joint function.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, often over bony areas like the sacrum or heels. It starts as redness that does not fade and can progress to an open wound.

Gathering information about a resident's pain, including where it hurts, how it feels, and how severe it is, often using a numeric or face scale. Findings are reported so the care plan can be adjusted.

Care given to a resident's body after death: cleansing, positioning, and preparing it with dignity while respecting religious or cultural practices. The aide also supports the family and follows facility policy.

The everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and toileting. Aide care aims to help residents do as much for themselves as they safely can.

Cleaning the genital and anal area, always wiping from front to back to keep stool away from the urinary opening. It is done during bathing and after toileting or incontinence to prevent infection and skin breakdown.

Difficulty swallowing that raises the risk of choking and of food or liquid entering the lungs. Residents with dysphagia may need special textures, thickened liquids, and careful, upright feeding.

Helping a resident eat and drink, including positioning them upright, offering small bites, pacing the meal, and watching for choking. The goal is adequate nutrition while keeping the resident safe and involved.

Helping a resident use the toilet, commode, urinal, or bedpan, including providing privacy, proper positioning, and perineal cleansing afterward. Scheduled toileting also supports bladder and bowel training programs.

Walking with or supervising a resident, using the ordered assistive device and staying on the weaker side. The aide checks for dizziness, keeps pathways clear, and reports any change in steadiness.

A wide strap fastened around a resident's waist that gives the aide a secure hold during transfers and walking. It must be tight enough not to slip and is never used as a restraint.

Using the body safely when lifting or moving: bending the knees, keeping the back straight, holding the load close, and avoiding twisting. Good mechanics protect both the aide and the resident from injury.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at the correct times, such as before and after resident contact and after removing gloves. It is the single most effective way to prevent spreading infection.

Everyday infection-control practices applied to all residents regardless of diagnosis: hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids. They treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.

Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection worn to keep germs off the aide's skin and clothing. It is put on and removed in the correct order and discarded after use.

Extra precautions used for residents with known or suspected contagious illness, such as contact, droplet, or airborne precautions. They include dedicated equipment, signage, and specific PPE for anyone entering the room.

The series of steps a germ needs to spread: a source, a way out, a mode of transmission, a way in, and a susceptible host. Breaking any link, such as by hand hygiene, stops the spread.

Any device or method that limits a resident's freedom of movement and cannot be removed easily by the resident. Restraints require a doctor's order, are used only for safety, and are never used for convenience or discipline.

Steps taken to reduce falling, such as keeping the call light and personal items within reach, clearing clutter, using non-skid footwear, and answering calls quickly. Residents at high risk need closer monitoring.

A fire-response sequence: Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm the alarm, Confine the fire by closing doors, and Evacuate or Extinguish as directed. Residents are moved horizontally to a safe area when possible.

A first-aid maneuver for choking that applies quick inward and upward pressure just above the navel to force air out and clear the airway. It is used on a conscious adult who cannot cough, speak, or breathe.

Measures to keep a resident safe during a seizure: clearing the area, cushioning the head, loosening tight clothing, and never putting anything in the mouth. The aide stays, times the seizure, and reports it.

When a resident leaves the facility or a supervised area without permission or supervision. Aides watch for early signs, keep exits monitored, and report a missing resident immediately.

Rules for using oxygen safely: no smoking or open flames nearby, no petroleum-based products on the face, and secure storage of tanks. Oxygen makes fire burn faster, so tubing is kept untangled and equipment checked.

Giving full attention to a speaker, using eye contact, nods, and brief responses, and reflecting back what was heard. It helps residents feel understood and encourages them to share concerns.

Purposeful, respectful talking that supports a resident's emotional and physical wellbeing, using open questions, silence, and empathy rather than advice or judgment. It builds trust and helps the aide gather accurate information.

A condition, often after stroke, in which a person has trouble understanding or producing speech. Aides speak slowly, use gestures and pictures, and allow extra time without finishing the resident's sentences.

The legal protections every nursing home resident has, including privacy, dignity, choice, visitors, personal belongings, freedom from abuse, and the right to voice complaints without fear of retaliation. Aides must respect and protect them.

A federal law that protects the privacy and security of a person's health information. Aides share resident information only with those who need it for care and never discuss residents in public areas.

A resident's voluntary agreement to a treatment or procedure after receiving an explanation of what it involves, the risks, and the alternatives. Consent must be given freely, and the resident may refuse.

A written document, such as a living will or health care proxy, that states a person's wishes about medical treatment if they can no longer speak for themselves. Aides honor these documents and help locate them.

Deliberate harm to a resident, including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial mistreatment, neglect, and involuntary seclusion. Aides must recognize the signs and report any suspicion immediately.

The legal duty of nursing home staff to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident to the proper authorities, usually immediately and in writing. Failing to report can bring penalties.

Care built around the individual resident's preferences, history, routines, and goals rather than around staff convenience. It treats the resident as a partner in decisions and supports dignity and independence.

A program that helps residents regain or maintain function through planned daily practice, such as walking, dressing, or feeding themselves, often with cues rather than full help. It promotes independence and slows decline.