Ohio CNA (formerly STNA) flashcards

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

OBRA

Federal law of 1987 that set nurse aide training requirements and established the Residents' Bill of Rights in nursing homes.

Mandated reporting

Nurse aides must immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the charge nurse and, per Ohio law, to the state hotline; failure to report is illegal.

Scope of practice

The tasks a nurse aide may legally perform under licensed-nurse delegation, including ADLs and vital signs, but excluding assessment, teaching, and sterile procedures.

Therapeutic communication

Techniques such as open-ended questions, restating, reflecting, clarifying, and silence that help residents express feelings and concerns without judgment.

Aphasia communication

Use short sentences, yes/no questions, pictures, and extra time; never finish the resident's sentences or pretend to understand when unsure.

Objective observation

Reporting exactly what is seen, heard, or measured without opinion, such as 'skin red at the sacrum' instead of 'looks sore.'

RACE

Fire response acronym: Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish or Evacuate.

PASS

Fire extinguisher acronym: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.

Seizure care

Protect the head, do not restrain or place anything in the mouth, time the seizure, turn the resident on the side afterward, and report.

Standard precautions

Infection control practices applied to every resident regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids.

PPE removal order

Remove gloves first, then goggles, then gown, and mask last; perform hand hygiene immediately after removing all personal protective equipment.

Hand hygiene duration

Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use alcohol-based hand rub for at least 15 seconds or according to manufacturer directions.

Airborne precautions

Requires an N95 respirator and a negative-pressure room; used for tuberculosis, measles, and varicella until the infection is no longer contagious.

Perineal care

Cleanse the perineal area from front to back, using a clean part of the cloth for each stroke, to prevent urinary tract infection.

Dressing order

Dress the weak or affected side first, then the strong side; when undressing, remove clothing from the strong side first.

Bath water temperature

Test bath water at 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (37 to 40 degrees Celsius) because older skin burns easily.

Pressure injury check

Inspect bony prominences each shift and report redness that does not blanch when pressed, which can signal early tissue damage.

Normal adult vitals

Oral temperature 97.6 to 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit, pulse 60 to 100 beats per minute, respirations 12 to 20 per minute, blood pressure below 120/80, and SpO2 95% or higher.

Irregular pulse

Count an irregular pulse for a full 60 seconds; the 30-second count multiplied by two is used only when the rhythm is regular.

Blood pressure cuff

Place the cuff one inch above the antecubital space and avoid an arm with an IV, dialysis fistula, or mastectomy on that side.

Dysphagia precautions

Sit the resident upright at 90 degrees, offer small bites, encourage a chin tuck, check for pocketing, and follow the prescribed liquid consistency.

NPO

Means nothing by mouth. Provide frequent oral care, keep the resident comfortable, and report any hunger, thirst, or request for food to the nurse.

Dehydration signs

Dry mouth, dark concentrated urine, decreased urine output, new confusion, and poor skin turgor; report these findings to the licensed nurse.

Urine output

Normal adult output is at least 30 milliliters per hour; report output below that or urine that is dark, cloudy, or contains blood.

Catheter care

Keep the drainage bag below bladder level, keep tubing free of kinks, and never pull on the catheter; report leakage or cloudy urine.

Constipation care

Encourage fluids, fiber, and activity; report no bowel movement for three days, abdominal pain, or black tarry stools to the nurse.

Range of motion

Move each joint slowly through its full arc; range of motion may be active, active-assistive, or passive, and must stop if pain occurs.

Restorative care

Encourage residents to perform their own ADLs and use ordered devices; never do for a resident what the resident can safely do alone.

Body mechanics

Use a wide base of support, bend the knees, keep the load close to the body, avoid twisting, and raise the bed to working height.

Walker use

Advance the walker first, then move the weak leg, then the strong leg; stand behind and slightly to the weak side with a gait belt.

Dementia redirection

Do not argue with delusions or hallucinations; acknowledge the resident's feelings and redirect to a safe, calm activity or topic.

Sundowning

Increased confusion and agitation in late afternoon or evening common in dementia; reduce noise, keep routines, and offer calm reassurance.