Missouri CNA flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Delegation

The licensed nurse assigns a trained nursing assistant a specific task while retaining accountability for assessment, care planning, and evaluation; the assistant must follow facility policy and training.

Normal adult respirations

Resting respiratory rate for a healthy adult is typically 12 to 20 breaths per minute; report rates outside this range or changes in rhythm, depth, or effort.

Objective versus subjective data

Objective data are measurable observations such as pulse, redness, or urine output; subjective data are the resident's spoken feelings or symptoms, which should be reported in the resident's own words.

RACE fire response

RACE stands for Rescue anyone in immediate danger, Alarm or activate the system, Contain fire by closing doors, and Extinguish or Evacuate if safe according to facility policy.

PASS fire extinguisher

PASS means Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side while staying a safe distance away.

Seizure first aid

Protect the resident from injury, do not restrain or place anything in the mouth, time the seizure, turn the resident to the side afterward, and notify the nurse.

Standard precautions

Infection-control practices used for every resident that treat blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes as potentially infectious; includes hand hygiene and appropriate personal protective equipment.

When to use soap and water

Use soap and water rather than alcohol sanitizer when hands are visibly soiled, after caring for a resident with C. difficile, and after using the restroom, according to infection-control policy.

Sharps disposal rule

Do not recap, bend, or break used needles; place them immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container located close to the point of use.

Resident right to refuse

A competent resident may refuse care or treatment; the assistant should notify the nurse, document the refusal factually, and offer acceptable alternatives without arguing or threatening.

Mandatory abuse reporting

Nursing assistants must immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the charge nurse and, in Missouri, to the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210.

Confidentiality in practice

Resident health information is shared only with the care team on a need-to-know basis and is never discussed in public areas, with visitors, or on social media.

SBAR handoff

SBAR is a structured communication tool: Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation; it gives the nurse concise, organized information during report or when reporting a change.

Communicating with hearing loss

Face the resident, reduce background noise, speak clearly and slowly without shouting, and use written notes or a qualified interpreter if the resident still cannot understand.

Therapeutic listening

Active listening uses eye contact, nods, silence, and reflection to show understanding; avoid interrupting, giving unsolicited advice, or changing the subject to the assistant's own experiences.

Perineal care direction

Wash the perineal area from front to back, using a clean part of the washcloth for each stroke, to prevent bringing bacteria from the rectum toward the urethra.

Pressure injury prevention

Reposition the resident at least every two hours, keep skin clean and dry, inspect bony areas, use pressure-relieving devices, and report redness that does not blanch.

Denture care

Remove dentures, clean them over a sink lined with a towel or water, use denture cleaner, rinse, and store them in a labeled cup when not in the mouth.

Dressing order

When dressing a resident with weakness, put clothing on the affected or weaker side first and remove clothing from the stronger side first to make the task safer and easier.

Dysphagia feeding safety

Sit the resident upright, give small bites, allow time to chew and swallow, check for pocketing, and stop feeding if coughing, choking, or a wet voice occurs.

Intake conversion

One ounce equals 30 milliliters, and one standard cup equals 240 milliliters; record all oral fluids, tube feedings, IV fluids, urine, vomitus, and drainage in milliliters.

Aspiration warning signs

Coughing, choking, cyanosis, difficulty breathing, a wet voice, or fever after eating may indicate aspiration; stop feeding and report immediately to the nurse.

Gait belt use

A gait belt is placed snugly around the resident's waist over clothing and used to assist transfers or walking; check it before moving and never lift by the resident's arms or armpits.

Cane placement

A cane is held on the stronger side; the resident moves the cane forward with the weaker leg, then steps with the stronger leg, following physical therapy instructions.

Range of motion rule

Perform range of motion only as ordered, move each joint slowly to the point of resistance, never force a joint, and stop if the resident reports pain.

Suicide risk response

Take any suicide statement seriously, stay with the resident, notify the nurse immediately, and follow facility policy for removing dangerous items and obtaining evaluation.

Depression warning signs

Persistent sadness, withdrawal, loss of appetite, sleep changes, fatigue, and hopelessness are warning signs that should be reported to the nurse for further assessment.

Behavior as communication

Agitation or withdrawal may signal pain, infection, constipation, fear, or environmental stress; report the behavior and possible triggers rather than labeling the resident as difficult.

Dementia versus delirium

Dementia is a progressive, usually gradual cognitive decline, while delirium is an acute, fluctuating change in attention and awareness often caused by illness, infection, or medication; report sudden changes.

Validation technique

Validation acknowledges the feeling behind a resident's statement instead of arguing with the facts; it helps reduce distress and supports dignity when memory or reality orientation is impaired.

Sundowning support

Increase lighting, reduce noise, maintain a consistent routine, limit late naps, and plan calm activities in late afternoon to reduce confusion that worsens toward evening.

Wandering response

Redirect the resident to a safe activity, ensure the environment is secure, report elopement risk, and follow facility policy for alarms and supervision.