North Dakota CNA key terms

Everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, toileting, and moving around. Nurse aides help residents with these tasks as needed while encouraging them to do as much as possible for themselves.

The safe use of posture, balance, and body position when lifting, moving, or carrying something. Good body mechanics protects both the nurse aide and the resident from strain and injury.

The full movement a joint can make, such as bending, straightening, or rotating. Range-of-motion exercises help keep joints flexible and may be active, with the resident moving, or passive, with help.

Localized damage to skin and tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, often over a bony area. Early signs include redness, warmth, or a break in the skin, and prevention requires frequent position changes.

Moving a resident into a different body position on a planned schedule to relieve pressure and improve comfort. It helps prevent pressure injuries and skin breakdown and is usually recorded each time.

A strong strap fastened around a resident's waist that gives the nurse aide a secure grip during walking, standing, or transferring. It should be snug, worn over clothing, and checked for fraying or damage.

Cleaning the hands with soap and running water or an alcohol-based hand rub to remove germs. It is the most important way to prevent infection and is done before and after every resident contact.

Measurements of body temperature, pulse, breathing rate, blood pressure, and sometimes oxygen level. These numbers show how well the body is working, and the nurse aide reports abnormal readings to the nurse.

A daily record of the fluids a resident takes in and loses, including drinks, urine, vomit, and drainage. Careful measurement helps the care team detect dehydration, fluid overload, or kidney problems.

A swallowing problem that makes food, liquid, or saliva likely to enter the airway. Warning signs include coughing, choking, drooling, or a wet voice during meals, which the nurse aide must report.

When food, liquid, vomit, or saliva enters the lungs instead of going down the esophagus. It can cause choking, pneumonia, or death, so residents with swallowing problems need careful positioning and feeding.

The accidental loss of urine that a person cannot control. It can irritate skin and cause embarrassment, so the nurse aide offers regular toileting and keeps the resident clean, dry, and comfortable.

Cleaning and checking an indwelling urinary catheter and the surrounding area to prevent infection. The drainage bag stays below the bladder, tubing stays free of kinks, and problems are reported to the nurse.

A permanent tightening of muscle, tendon, or scar tissue that prevents a joint from moving normally. Regular range-of-motion exercise and correct positioning help reduce the risk for people who are inactive.

Infection-control steps used with every resident because any person may carry germs. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids.

Gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, and other items worn to block contact with blood, body fluids, or infectious material. The nurse aide puts it on and removes it in the correct order to avoid contamination.

Helping a resident move from one surface or place to another, such as from bed to wheelchair. Safe transfers require good body mechanics, the right equipment, and clear communication with the resident.

The chance that a resident will fall because of weakness, confusion, medications, vision problems, or hazards. The nurse aide reduces risk by keeping the call light, walker, and personal items within easy reach.

Cleaning the genital and anal area to remove urine, stool, and germs. It is done after toileting, during bathing, and when changing briefs, always wiping from front to back to prevent infection.

The ability to understand and share another person's feelings without making those feelings your own. It helps the nurse aide respond with kindness and respect to a resident's fear, sadness, or frustration.

Giving full attention to a speaker by looking, nodding, and responding to what is said. It helps the nurse aide understand a resident's concerns and shows that the person is being heard and respected.

Purposeful conversation that supports a resident's emotional and physical well-being. It uses open questions, silence, restating, and empathy rather than advice, arguing, or false reassurance.

Care planned around a resident's own preferences, routines, values, and goals rather than around staff convenience. It supports dignity, choice, and independence in daily life.

Encouraging a person to talk about past experiences, often using photos, music, or familiar objects. It can improve mood, self-esteem, and connection in older adults, especially those with memory loss.

A communication approach that accepts and acknowledges a confused person's feelings and reality instead of arguing with them. It aims to reduce distress and build trust by responding with empathy.

A pattern of increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness in late afternoon or evening, common in dementia. Calm routines, good lighting, and reduced noise may help lessen symptoms.

A group of brain disorders that cause lasting decline in memory, thinking, and daily functioning. It is not a normal part of aging, and care focuses on safety, routine, and dignity.

A sudden, often reversible state of confusion that can include hallucinations, agitation, or sleep problems. It is usually caused by illness, infection, medication, or dehydration and requires prompt reporting.

The emotional response to a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, health, or independence. It may include sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness, and each person experiences it differently.

The tasks and responsibilities a nurse aide is legally allowed to perform based on state law, training, and facility policy. Doing work outside this scope can harm residents and lead to legal action.

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

The formal line of authority in a facility that shows whom to report to and who supervises each role. The nurse aide usually reports first to the charge nurse or supervisor.

A written guide that lists a resident's needs, goals, and the specific interventions staff should use. The nurse aide follows it and reports changes that may require an update.

A federal law that protects the privacy and security of a person's health information. It limits who may see medical records and requires staff to share only the information needed for care.

The legal duty of certain workers, including nurse aides, to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident. Reports are made promptly to the proper authority and are protected from retaliation.

A written record of an unexpected event, such as a fall, injury, medication error, or missing item. It documents facts for the facility and should be completed promptly, but it is not part of the resident's chart.

An advocate who investigates complaints and protects the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. The ombudsman is independent and can be contacted by residents or families without fear of retaliation.

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

Intentional harm or mistreatment of a resident, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or verbal acts. Nurse aides must recognize signs, protect the resident, and report suspected abuse immediately.

Failure to provide the care and services a resident needs, such as food, water, hygiene, safety, or medical attention. It may be intentional or unintentional and must be reported promptly.