Minnesota CNA key terms

The legal entitlements every nursing home resident keeps, such as privacy, dignity, choice, visitors, personal belongings, and freedom from abuse; staff must protect them and report violations.

Permission a resident gives for care or treatment after staff explain, in words they understand, what will be done, the risks and benefits, and the alternatives; the resident may refuse.

A written document, such as a living will or health care proxy, made while a person can still decide, stating future treatment wishes or naming someone to decide if they cannot speak for themselves.

Any device or medication that limits a resident's movement or access to their body, used only for a medical reason with a doctor's order and never for convenience, discipline, or staffing shortages.

An independent advocate, often a trained volunteer, who investigates complaints made by or for nursing home residents and helps them resolve problems with the facility without fear of retaliation.

Intentional or negligent words or actions that harm a resident, including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and financial mistreatment, as well as rough handling, threats, or punishment.

The legal duty of nursing assistants and other caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or mistreatment to the charge nurse and required agency right away, following facility policy.

Paying full attention to a resident's words and feelings, using eye contact, nods, and brief replies, then restating what you heard so the person feels understood.

A condition, often after a stroke, in which a person has trouble speaking, finding words, or understanding speech; allow extra time and use pictures, gestures, or yes-or-no questions.

Messages sent without words, such as facial expression, posture, tone of voice, touch, and distance; a caregiver's calm, respectful body language matters as much as what is said.

Steps that lower a resident's risk of falling, such as keeping the call light in reach, the bed low and locked, floors clear, and answering requests quickly; encourage asking for help before moving.

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in danger, Activate the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Evacuate or Extinguish if it is safe; know your facility's specific plan.

Actions that keep a resident safe during a seizure: ease them to the floor, protect the head, move nearby objects away, loosen tight clothing, time the seizure, and never force anything into the mouth.

A first-aid maneuver for a choking conscious person: stand behind them, make a fist just above the navel, and give quick inward and upward pulls to force air out and clear the airway.

A factual written record of an unusual event such as a fall, medication error, or injury, completed promptly as facility policy directs so the cause can be reviewed and prevented.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based rub at key moments, such as before and after resident contact, after removing gloves, and after touching soiled items, to stop germs from spreading.

Everyday infection-control practices used with all residents regardless of diagnosis: hand hygiene, gloves when contact with blood or body fluids is likely, and safe handling of sharps and soiled linen.

Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection, worn to block contact with blood, body fluids, or airborne germs; put it on and take it off in the correct order.

Extra safeguards beyond standard precautions, based on how a germ spreads: contact (gown and gloves), droplet (mask), or airborne (fit-tested respirator), often with a private room and posted signage.

Washing the genital area and surrounding skin using a clean washcloth for each stroke, front to back, to remove secretions, prevent infection, and keep the resident clean and comfortable.

Brushing teeth, dentures, gums, and tongue, plus rinsing, at least twice daily and after meals, to prevent decay and infection; provide mouth care for residents who cannot do it themselves.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony area like the tailbone or heel, caused by unrelieved pressure, friction, or moisture; report new redness or open areas promptly.

Body measurements that show basic health status: temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and often pain and oxygen saturation; report values outside the resident's usual range.

The force of blood against artery walls, recorded as two numbers (systolic over diastolic); measure with the resident seated, arm supported at heart level, and the correct cuff size.

A drop in blood pressure when a person stands up quickly, causing dizziness, blurring, or fainting; move residents slowly from lying to sitting to standing and watch for symptoms.

A painless measurement of how much oxygen the blood is carrying, shown as a percentage, using a clip on a finger or earlobe; report readings outside the ordered range.

Difficulty swallowing that raises the risk of choking and aspiration; warning signs include coughing, a gurgly voice, or pocketing food during meals, so staff follow ordered diets and positioning.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the lungs instead of swallowing it, which can cause choking or pneumonia; keep the head elevated during and after meals as ordered.

A medical order meaning nothing by mouth, including no food, fluids, ice chips, or medications, usually before tests or surgery or when swallowing is not safe.

Measuring and recording everything a resident drinks and everything lost as urine, vomit, or drainage, usually in milliliters, so the nurse can judge fluid balance and hydration.

Involuntary loss of urine or stool; respond quickly, offer scheduled toileting, keep skin clean and dry, and avoid scolding or showing embarrassment, which protects dignity.

Cleaning around the tube where it enters the body daily and after stools, keeping the drainage bag below bladder level, and never pulling the tubing or letting it loop on the floor.

A planned toileting schedule based on the resident's usual habits that helps them regain control; offer the toilet or bedpan at set times and provide privacy and enough time.

Using the body safely to move or lift: keep feet wide, bend the knees, hold the load close, keep the back straight, and turn with the feet instead of twisting the spine.

A strong strap fastened snugly around a resident's waist over clothing to give the caregiver a firm hold while walking or transferring; it is a handle, never a lifting device.

Sitting up in bed with the head of the bed raised about 45 to 90 degrees, often used for eating, breathing difficulty, or drainage; support the feet and check the skin.

A permanent shortening of muscle or tendon that pulls a joint into a fixed bent position; it is prevented by range-of-motion exercise, proper positioning, and supporting the limbs.

Moving each joint through its full normal movement, either actively by the resident or passively by the caregiver, to keep joints flexible and keep muscles from tightening.