Montana CNA flashcards

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

Resident's right to refuse

A competent resident may refuse any treatment or care; the aide stops, documents the refusal, and reports it to the charge nurse. Care is never forced.

Mandatory abuse reporting

Any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation is reported immediately to the charge nurse; the aide does not investigate and does not notify the family first.

Scope of nurse aide practice

An aide performs only tasks taught in the training program and delegated by a licensed nurse; sterile procedures, care planning, and initial teaching stay with licensed staff.

Confidentiality under HIPAA

Resident health information is shared only with care-team members who need it for care; discussing it in hallways, elevators, or off duty is a violation.

Chain of command reporting

Changes in condition go to the charge nurse, then the director of nursing and administrator, and if unresolved to the state survey agency or ombudsman.

When to use soap and water

Wash with soap and water rather than alcohol rub when hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a resident with C. difficile, whose spores resist alcohol.

Airborne precautions required PPE

For tuberculosis or suspected measles, wear an N95 respirator and follow negative-pressure room rules; a surgical mask alone is not adequate protection.

Fall prevention basics

Keep the bed low and locked, call light and belongings within reach, use non-skid footwear, and answer calls promptly; report any fall even without visible injury.

Restraint release schedule

A physical restraint requires a provider order and the least restrictive device, with release, repositioning, and circulation, skin, and toileting checks at least every 2 hours.

RACE fire response

Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, then Extinguish or Evacuate; never use elevators and move residents horizontally first.

Standard precautions apply to whom

Gloves and hand hygiene are used with every resident when contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or broken skin is possible, because infection status is not always known.

Turning and repositioning frequency

Turn and reposition an immobile resident at least every 2 hours, check the skin at each turn, and use pillows to keep bony prominences off the mattress.

Passive range of motion rule

Support the limb and move the joint slowly only to the point of resistance; never force a painful joint, and report new pain, swelling, or warmth.

Gait belt ambulation

Apply the belt snug over clothing at the waist, stand on the resident's weaker side slightly behind, and pivot toward the stronger side while the resident bears weight.

Fluid intake encouragement

Offer fluids frequently, aiming near 1,500–2,000 mL daily unless restricted, and record intake and output; dehydration causes confusion and skin breakdown.

Dysphagia feeding safety

Sit the resident upright at about 90 degrees, give small bites, allow time to chew and swallow, and follow thickened-liquid orders; report coughing or pocketing food.

Perineal care direction

Wash from front to back with a fresh area of the cloth each stroke, using gloves and privacy; this prevents spreading bacteria from the rectum to the urethra.

Denture care routine

Remove dentures at night, clean them with a denture brush over a basin of water, store them in a labeled cup, and never use hot water, which warps them.

Bath water temperature

Use water about 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 Celsius), test it on your inner wrist, and wash eyes from inner to outer corner without soap before the rest of the body.

Dressing a weak resident

Dress the affected or weaker side first, then the stronger side; undress in reverse, removing the strong side first, which keeps dressing easier and safer.

Normal adult vital signs

Typical resting ranges are temperature 97 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit, pulse 60 to 100 beats per minute, respirations 12 to 20 per minute, and blood pressure near 120/80 mmHg.

Diabetic nail care

Do not clip the nails of a resident with diabetes or poor circulation; file them straight across instead, and report redness, swelling, or breaks in the skin.

Responding to dementia behaviors

Do not argue or correct; acknowledge the feeling, redirect to a safe activity, keep routines simple with one instruction at a time, and reduce noise and crowds.

Sundowning support

In late afternoon and evening, increase light, limit caffeine and long naps, keep a calm routine, and redirect gently; behavior often improves with predictable activity.

Aphasia communication

Speak slowly with short sentences, use gestures and pictures, allow plenty of time, and never finish the resident's sentences or talk about them as if they were absent.

Hypoglycemia warning signs

Shakiness, sweating, hunger, confusion, or irritability may signal low blood sugar; report immediately and give fast-acting carbohydrate only if the care plan allows.

Comfort care priorities

At end of life, focus on pain relief, frequent mouth care, skin protection, positioning, and presence; do not push food or fluids against the resident's wishes.

Counting respirations correctly

Keep your hand on the wrist as if counting pulse, count each rise and fall for a full minute, and do not announce it, since awareness can change the rate.

Blood pressure cuff placement

With the resident seated and the arm supported at heart level, place the cuff 1 inch above the antecubital space and inflate about 30 mmHg above where the pulse disappears.

Sterile field rule

Keep the sterile field above waist level and within view; anything that touches below the waist, is out of sight, or gets wet is considered contaminated.

Applying elastic stockings

Apply the stockings before the resident gets out of bed, smooth out wrinkles and twists, and check skin color, temperature, and circulation at least every shift.

Occupied bed making safety

Lower the bed, lock the wheels, never turn your back or leave the resident unattended, and raise the far side rail only if it is in the care plan.