New Jersey CNA key terms

Cleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub to remove germs. It is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection between residents and staff.

Moving a joint through its full normal arc, either by the resident (active) or by the aide (passive). Regular ROM helps prevent stiffness, contractures, and loss of function in people who cannot move easily.

Localized damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, often over bony areas such as the sacrum or heels. Prevention includes frequent repositioning, skin inspection, and keeping skin clean and dry.

Arranging the head, trunk, and limbs in a straight, balanced line so that weight is evenly distributed. Good alignment reduces strain on muscles and joints and helps prevent deformities and skin breakdown.

A wide strap fastened around a resident's waist that staff hold to steady and guide the person during walking or transfers. It protects both resident and aide from injury and is never used to lift.

A sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up too quickly, causing dizziness, blurred vision, or fainting. Aides reduce the risk by having residents sit on the edge of the bed before standing.

A record of all fluids a resident drinks and all fluids leaving the body through urine, vomit, or drainage. Accurate measurement helps the care team detect dehydration or fluid retention.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the airway instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking or pneumonia, so residents with swallowing problems need careful positioning and supervision at meals.

Difficulty swallowing. Signs include coughing or choking during meals, a wet or gurgly voice, drooling, and food pocketing; the care team may order thickened liquids or a special diet.

A medical order meaning nothing by mouth, including food, water, ice chips, and oral medications. The aide removes water pitchers and reminds the resident not to eat or drink until the order changes.

A permanent tightening and shortening of muscle or tendon that freezes a joint in a bent position. It develops when a limb stays still too long and is prevented with range-of-motion exercise and proper positioning.

Lying on the left side with the right knee and hip drawn up toward the chest and the left arm behind the back. It is commonly used for enemas and for perineal care.

Washing the genital and anal area, always wiping from front to back to keep stool away from the urethra. It is done daily, after toileting, and after episodes of incontinence to prevent infection and odor.

Infection-control steps used with every resident, such as hand hygiene, gloves, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids. They are based on the idea that any person's blood or body fluid may carry infection.

Measurements of temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and often pain that show how well the body is working. Aides report values outside the resident's normal range or any sudden change.

Swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in body tissues, most often in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Aides notice puffy, tight, or shiny skin, report it, and may need to measure intake and output.

Understanding and sharing what another person is feeling and letting them know you understand. Unlike sympathy, it focuses on the resident's experience rather than on your own reaction to it.

Paying full attention to a resident, using eye contact, nodding, and brief comments or questions to show you are following. It encourages the person to keep talking and signals respect.

Purposeful talking and listening that supports a resident's emotional and physical well-being. It uses open questions, restating, and silence, and avoids giving advice, arguing, or changing the subject.

A way of responding to a confused resident by accepting and acknowledging the feelings behind their words instead of correcting the facts. It reduces distress and helps maintain trust.

Encouraging a resident to talk about past experiences, often using photos, music, or objects. It supports identity, memory, and mood and gives the aide a way to build rapport.

Gently and repeatedly giving a confused resident accurate information about who they are, where they are, and the date or time. It is done calmly, using clocks, calendars, and consistent daily routines.

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

The emotional response to loss, which may include sadness, anger, guilt, and withdrawal. Aides support grieving residents by listening, being present, and respecting each person's own way of mourning.

The ability to care respectfully for people whose background, language, religion, or customs differ from your own. It means asking about preferences, avoiding assumptions, and adjusting routine care to fit them.

An automatic mental strategy a person uses to cope with stress or uncomfortable feelings, such as denial, anger, or blaming others. Aides recognize it as coping rather than a personal attack and respond calmly.

The set of tasks a nurse aide is legally allowed and trained to perform, defined by state law and facility policy. Aides must not do tasks that require a nurse's assessment or judgment.

Assigning a specific task to another team member who is competent to do it, while the delegating nurse keeps overall responsibility. An aide accepts a task only if it is within their training and job description.

The order in which staff report concerns, usually aide to charge nurse, then to supervisor or administrator. Following it ensures problems reach the person with authority to act.

A written document, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, that states a person's wishes for medical treatment if they cannot speak for themselves. Aides honor and report known directives.

Do not resuscitate: a physician's order that no CPR be started if a resident stops breathing or their heart stops. Aides must know which residents have one and must never begin CPR without checking.

Keeping a resident's personal and medical information private and sharing it only with staff who need it for care. Talking about residents in public areas, hallways, or on social media is a violation.

The legal duty of a nurse aide to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident to the charge nurse or appropriate authority. The aide reports immediately and does not investigate.

Federally protected guarantees for nursing home residents, including privacy, dignity, choice, visitors, personal belongings, freedom from abuse, and the right to complain without retaliation. Aides must protect these daily.

A written record of an unexpected event such as a fall, injury, or medication error, completed as soon as possible after the event. It documents facts objectively and is not placed in the resident's chart.

Any device or method that limits a person's freedom of movement and cannot be easily removed, such as a vest or side rails used as a barrier. Restraints require a physician's order and are used only as a last resort.

An advocate who investigates complaints made by or for nursing home residents and helps resolve them with the facility. The ombudsman program is independent, and residents may contact one privately.

A written, individualized guide to a resident's needs, goals, and the care staff should give, developed with the interdisciplinary team and often the resident and family. Aides follow it and report changes.

Routine self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, toileting, and walking. Aides help residents perform these as independently as possible and document what was done.