New Mexico CNA key terms

The full movement a joint can make in its normal directions. Nurse aides help residents move each joint through its full range during exercises or care to keep muscles and joints working.

A permanent shortening of muscle or tendon that pulls a joint into a fixed, bent position and limits movement. It develops when a limb stays still too long, so regular exercise and correct positioning help prevent it.

Damage to skin and the tissue beneath it caused by constant pressure, often over a bony area such as the hip or heel. It starts as redness that does not fade and can become an open sore.

The way a person holds and moves the body to stay balanced and avoid strain. Using good body mechanics means bending the knees, keeping the back straight, and holding loads close to the body.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the airway and lungs instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking or serious lung infection, so residents who cough or choke while eating need slow, careful feeding.

Difficulty swallowing. A resident with dysphagia may cough, choke, drool, or pocket food in the cheek, and often needs thickened liquids, small bites, and an upright position while eating.

A record of how much fluid a resident drinks and how much leaves the body through urine, vomit, or drainage. Measuring intake and output helps the care team spot dehydration or fluid buildup.

A tube placed through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine continuously into a bag. It raises the risk of infection, so the bag stays below the bladder and the tubing is kept from kinking.

A drop in blood pressure when a person stands up quickly, causing dizziness, blurring, or fainting. Nurse aides help prevent it by raising residents slowly and letting them sit before standing.

A hard mass of dried stool stuck in the rectum that a person cannot push out. Signs include liquid stool leaking around the blockage, cramping, and no bowel movement for several days.

Swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in body tissues, usually in the feet, ankles, or hands. The skin over the area looks puffy and may stay dented after being pressed.

The basic infection-control steps used with every resident, whether or not illness is known. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection when blood or body fluids may be present.

Measurements of body temperature, pulse, breathing rate, blood pressure, and often pain or oxygen level. Changes from a resident's normal range are reported to the nurse.

A medical order meaning nothing by mouth, so the resident receives no food, water, ice, or oral medicine. Nurse aides still give mouth care and explain why eating and drinking are stopped.

Understanding and sharing what another person feels without taking on the feeling as your own. It is shown by listening closely, naming the feeling, and responding with warmth rather than pity.

Fully focusing on a speaker by facing them, keeping eye contact, and noticing tone and body language. The listener then repeats or asks about what was said to show understanding.

Purposeful talking and listening that supports a resident's emotional and physical well-being. It uses open questions, silence, and honest, simple answers, and avoids arguing, judging, or giving false reassurance.

Encouraging a resident to talk about past events, people, and experiences, often using photos, music, or objects. It supports identity and self-worth and can calm a person with memory loss.

Restlessness, confusion, or agitation that gets worse in the late afternoon and evening, common in dementia. Calm routines, fewer naps, and softer lighting in the evening can reduce it.

A slow, permanent decline in memory, thinking, and judgment that interferes with daily life. It is caused by brain disease, not normal aging, and residents need simple instructions and patience.

A sudden, fluctuating confusion with trouble focusing, often caused by infection, pain, medicines, or dehydration. Unlike dementia it can come and go quickly and may be reversed when the cause is treated.

The normal emotional response to loss, which may bring sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness. It varies widely between people and may return around holidays, anniversaries, or after other losses.

The area around a person that feels private and comfortable, smaller for people who are close and larger with strangers. Nurse aides respect it by asking before touching and giving notice before entering.

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 adapting care to the person's values.

The tasks and duties a nurse aide is legally and educationally allowed to perform. Anything outside that list, such as giving medicine or changing a care plan, is refused and reported to the nurse.

The nurse's decision to assign a specific task to a nurse aide who has been trained to do it. The nurse keeps responsibility for the resident, and the aide reports results back.

The order of authority for reporting a problem, usually aide to charge nurse, then to supervisor or director of nursing. It ensures concerns reach someone with power to act.

A written document stating a person's wishes for medical care if they can no longer speak for themselves. Forms include living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care.

Keeping a resident's private health and personal information from being shared with people who do not need it. Talking about residents in public areas or on social media is a violation.

Intentionally harming a resident through physical force, threats, insults, sexual contact, or taking their money. Any suspicion must be reported right away, even without proof.

Failing to give a resident the care they need, such as food, water, hygiene, safety, or medical attention. It may be unintentional but still harms the resident and must be reported.

The legal duty of nurse aides and other caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the nurse and required agencies. Reports are made in good faith and are protected by law.

An independent advocate who investigates complaints made by or for residents in long-term care and works to protect their rights. The service is free and the resident may contact the ombudsman privately.

A written, individualized guide to a resident's needs, goals, and the care each staff member gives. Nurse aides follow it, document care given, and report changes that may require an update.

A form completed after an unusual event such as a fall, injury, or medication error. It records the facts for the facility's quality review and is not placed in the resident's medical record.

A doctor's written order saying that CPR should not be started if a resident's heart or breathing stops. Nurse aides honor it by checking the chart and calling the nurse instead of starting resuscitation.

The written or electronic record of care given, observations made, and changes seen. It is legal evidence, must be accurate and timely, and is never altered or filled in for someone else.