Maryland CNA key terms

Basic self-care tasks a person performs daily, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and moving from place to place. Nurse aides often help residents with ADLs while encouraging as much independence as possible.

The normal amount of movement a joint can make in different directions. A nurse aide may perform range-of-motion exercises to keep joints flexible and prevent stiffness when a resident cannot move independently.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, often over bony areas. It may appear as redness, a blister, or an open wound. Repositioning and skin checks help prevent it.

Using proper posture, balance, and movement to lift, turn, or move a person safely. Good body mechanics protect both the resident and the nurse aide from strain and injury.

Measurements of body temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure, and sometimes oxygen saturation or pain. They show how well the body is working and are reported when outside normal limits.

A wide strap placed around a resident's waist to give the nurse aide a secure hold during transfers or walking. It helps prevent falls and should be checked for fit and condition before use.

Breathing food, liquid, vomit, or saliva into the airway and lungs instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking or pneumonia. Proper positioning and feeding technique help prevent it.

A permanent shortening and tightening of a muscle or joint that limits movement. It can develop when a limb stays still for long periods. Range-of-motion exercises and proper positioning help prevent it.

The measurement of all fluids a resident drinks and receives, and all fluids lost through urine, vomit, drainage, or other routes. Accurate records help the care team judge fluid balance.

A tube placed through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine continuously. The nurse aide provides catheter care, keeps the bag below bladder level, and reports signs of infection.

Understanding and sharing another person's feelings without taking on those feelings as your own. It helps a nurse aide respond with compassion and build trust with residents and families.

Purposeful conversation that supports a resident's physical and emotional well-being. It uses open questions, respect, and active listening rather than giving advice or false reassurance.

Giving full attention to a speaker by looking, nodding, and responding to what is said. It helps the nurse aide understand concerns and show that the resident is valued.

Legally protected freedoms that nursing home residents keep, such as dignity, privacy, choice, and participation in care. Nurse aides must respect and help protect these rights in everyday care.

Keeping a resident's personal and health information private and sharing it only with those who need it for care. Gossip and casual discussion of residents' information are not allowed.

A common mood disorder marked by sadness, loss of interest, poor appetite, sleep changes, and withdrawal. In older adults it may be mistaken for normal aging. Nurse aides should report lasting changes to the nurse.

The normal emotional response to loss, such as the death of a loved one or a change in health. It may include sadness, anger, guilt, and withdrawal. Nurse aides listen without judging.

A way of responding to a confused person by accepting and acknowledging the feelings behind their words rather than correcting facts. It can reduce distress and build trust.

The ability to provide respectful care to people of different cultures, beliefs, and values. It includes asking about preferences, avoiding assumptions, and honoring personal and religious practices.

The tasks and duties a nurse aide is legally allowed to perform, based on state law and training. A nurse aide must not perform skills outside that scope, such as giving medications or assessing a resident.

The nurse's act of assigning a specific task to a nurse aide who is trained and allowed to do it. The nurse keeps responsibility for assessing and evaluating the resident's care.

The line of authority in a facility that shows whom to report to and who to ask for help. Nurse aides report concerns to the charge nurse and follow the chain when issues are not resolved.

A person's voluntary agreement to a test, treatment, or care after understanding its risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse aide may reinforce information but does not obtain consent or pressure the resident.

The legal duty of nurse aides and other caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the nurse and required authorities. Reporting protects residents and is not optional.

Intentional harm or mistreatment of a resident, including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial harm, or confinement. Nurse aides must recognize signs, prevent it, and report it immediately.

Failure to provide needed care, such as food, water, hygiene, safety, or medical attention, whether on purpose or because of inadequate staffing or knowledge. It is a form of mistreatment that must be reported.

A written document that states a person's wishes about medical care if they become unable to speak for themselves. Examples include a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care.

A doctor's order that says no CPR should be started if a resident's heart or breathing stops. The nurse aide must know the resident's code status and follow facility policy.

A factual written record of an unusual event, such as a fall, injury, medication error, or missing item. It is used to improve safety and should be completed promptly and objectively.

A federal law that protects the privacy and security of a person's health information. It limits who may see or share resident information and sets rules for keeping records safe.

Care that treats each resident as an individual and respects their preferences, routines, values, and goals. It involves listening, offering choices, and involving the resident in decisions.

Practices that reduce the number of germs and prevent their spread, such as hand hygiene and cleaning surfaces. It is used for routine care and differs from sterile technique.

A set of practices that keeps equipment and areas free of all germs, used for procedures like catheter insertion or dressing changes. Nurse aides follow sterile technique only when trained and assigned.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub to remove germs. It is the single most important way to prevent infection and must be done before and after resident care.

The force of blood pushing against artery walls, recorded as two numbers: systolic over diastolic. The nurse aide measures it correctly, waits, and reports readings outside the resident's normal range.

The heartbeat felt at the wrist on the thumb side of the forearm. It is counted for rate, rhythm, and strength and is one of the routine vital signs.

The process of breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide. When counting respirations, the nurse aide observes rate, depth, rhythm, and effort without telling the resident.

Cleaning the genital and anal area to keep it free of germs and odor. It is done front to back, with clean technique, and is especially important for residents with catheters or incontinence.

Gathering a sample of urine, stool, sputum, or other body fluid for laboratory testing. The nurse aide collects it correctly, labels it, and sends it promptly to avoid errors.

Care of a resident's body after death, including cleaning, positioning, and respecting dignity and religious customs. The nurse aide follows facility policy and supports the family.