Oklahoma CNA key terms

Paying full attention to a resident while they speak, noticing their words, tone, and body language, then repeating back what you understood so they feel heard and you can check accuracy.

Purposeful talking and listening that supports a resident's emotional and physical comfort, using open questions, silence, and gentle clarification rather than advice or judgment.

Messages sent without words, such as facial expression, posture, eye contact, tone of voice, and touch, which often reveal feelings more honestly than spoken words do.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at key moments, such as before and after resident contact, to remove germs and stop the spread of infection.

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

Gloves, gown, mask, goggles, or face shield worn to create a barrier between you and blood, body fluids, or airborne germs; it is removed and discarded before leaving the resident's room.

The series of steps a germ needs in order to spread: a source, a way out, a mode of travel, a way in, and a susceptible person. Breaking any one link stops infection.

Extra steps beyond standard precautions, such as a private room, a mask, or dedicated equipment, used when a resident has a known or suspected contagious infection.

Using good posture, a wide base of support, and leg muscles rather than the back when lifting or moving, keeping the load close and avoiding twisting to prevent injury.

Actions that reduce a resident's chance of falling, such as clearing clutter, keeping the call light within reach, locking bed wheels, using non-skid footwear, and answering requests quickly.

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in danger, Activate the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish small fires or Evacuate as instructed by staff.

Any physical device or chemical that limits a resident's movement, used only when less restrictive measures have failed and with a doctor's order and monitoring; it can cause injury and loss of rights.

Protections guaranteed by law and facility policy, including privacy, dignity, choice, freedom from abuse, access to visitors, and the right to refuse care or voice complaints without retaliation.

A resident's voluntary agreement to care or treatment after staff explain what will happen, the benefits, the risks, and the alternatives in words the resident understands.

Treating each resident as a respected person by protecting privacy, using their preferred name, explaining care before giving it, and helping them keep control over personal choices.

An independent advocate who investigates complaints from residents of long-term care facilities and helps them resolve problems with care or rights without fear of retaliation.

Doing for oneself as much as possible. Nurse aides support it by encouraging residents to perform their own care, offering choices, and giving only the help that is truly needed.

Measurements of temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure, often along with oxygen saturation or pain, taken to detect changes in a resident's condition and report them promptly.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, usually over bony areas; it starts as redness and can become an open wound if the pressure is not relieved.

Changing a resident's body position on a scheduled basis, such as every two hours, to relieve pressure on bony areas, keep skin healthy, and prevent contractures.

Recording how much a resident drinks and eats and how much urine, vomit, or drainage leaves the body, usually in milliliters, to show whether fluid balance is normal.

Difficulty swallowing that can cause coughing, choking, or food entering the airway; residents with it need special food textures, thickened liquids, and slow feeding while sitting upright.

Breathing food, liquid, vomit, or saliva into the lungs instead of swallowing it, which can cause choking and a serious lung infection.

A medical order meaning nothing by mouth, so the resident receives no food, water, or oral medications; the aide offers only oral hygiene and reports thirst to the nurse.

A mood disorder lasting weeks or longer with sadness, loss of interest, poor appetite, sleep changes, and hopelessness; in older adults it may show up as irritability or physical complaints.

The normal emotional response to loss, which may include sadness, anger, guilt, and withdrawal; residents facing death or the loss of loved ones need patience and a listening ear.

A gradual, permanent decline in memory and thinking that interferes with daily life, most often caused by Alzheimer's disease; it is not a normal part of aging.

A sudden, fluctuating confusion often caused by infection, medication, pain, or dehydration; it develops quickly and usually improves once the cause is treated.

A pattern of increasing confusion, restlessness, or agitation in late afternoon and evening, common in dementia, often eased by steady routines, good lighting, and reduced noise.

Walking away or roaming without a clear purpose, common in dementia; it risks getting lost or falling, so aides use safe activities, supervision, and environmental checks.

Ongoing care that helps a resident regain or keep function after illness, such as practicing walking, dressing, or eating skills with encouragement rather than doing everything for them.

Moving a joint through its full normal movement, either by the resident (active) or by the aide (passive), to keep joints flexible and prevent stiffness and contractures.

A permanent shortening and tightening of muscle or tendon that freezes a joint in a bent position, usually prevented by regular range-of-motion exercise and good positioning.

Devices such as long-handled sponges, plate guards, walkers, or button hooks that let a resident perform daily tasks more independently despite weakness or disability.

The tasks and responsibilities a nurse aide is legally trained and permitted to perform under state law; aides must not do nursing tasks such as giving medications or inserting catheters.

Deliberate harm to a resident, including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, or financial mistreatment; aides must stop it, protect the resident, and report any suspicion immediately.

Failing to provide needed care, such as food, fluids, hygiene, safety, or medical attention, whether on purpose or because of inadequate staffing, training, or supervision.

The legal duty of nurse aides and other caregivers to tell the nurse and the proper authorities right away when they suspect abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or exploitation of a resident.

Keeping a resident's health, personal, and financial information private and sharing it only with staff who need it to provide care, as required by law.

A written document made while a resident is still able to decide, stating wishes about future medical treatment, such as a living will or a health care power of attorney.