Oregon CNA flashcards

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

Normal adult oral temperature

An adult oral temperature typically falls between 97.6 F and 99.6 F (36.5 C to 37.5 C). Report readings outside this range and always use the same site and method for comparison.

Normal adult respiratory rate

A normal adult breathes 12 to 20 times per minute. Count for a full 60 seconds without announcing that you are counting, because awareness of being watched can change the rate.

Pulse deficit

The difference between the apical pulse rate and the radial pulse rate counted at the same time. A deficit suggests some heartbeats do not create a palpable peripheral pulse and should be reported.

Orthostatic hypotension criteria

A blood pressure drop of at least 20 mmHg systolic or 10 mmHg diastolic within three minutes of standing. It can cause dizziness and falls, so measure lying, sitting, and standing.

Apical pulse location

Heard with a stethoscope at the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line. Count for a full 60 seconds before giving certain heart medications or when the radial pulse is irregular.

Denture care at night

Remove dentures at bedtime, brush them, and store them in a labeled cup of cool water so they do not dry out or warp. Hot water can distort the plastic and ruin the fit.

Bath water temperature

Bath water should be 100 F to 105 F (38 C to 41 C). Test it with the inner wrist or a thermometer before the resident gets in, since older skin burns more easily.

Perineal care direction

Wash from the urethra toward the rectum, using a fresh part of the cloth for each stroke. This front-to-back direction limits the spread of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.

Dressing a resident with weakness

Dress the weak or affected arm or leg first, then the stronger side. When undressing, reverse the order and remove the strong side first so the weak limb is not pulled.

Oral care for unconscious resident

Turn the head to the side, use suction, and never place fingers or large amounts of fluid in the mouth. This prevents secretions or rinse water from being aspirated into the lungs.

Reality orientation

A technique that repeatedly reminds a confused resident of who they are, where they are, and the current date or time, using clocks, calendars, and calm, clear statements.

Validation therapy

A communication approach that accepts and acknowledges the feelings behind a confused resident's statements instead of correcting the facts, which reduces distress and avoids confrontation.

Kubler-Ross grief stages

The five commonly cited stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Residents and families may move among stages rather than through them in order.

Responding to a wandering resident

Do not restrain the resident or lock them in a room. Redirect gently, offer an activity or snack, and report the behavior so the team can identify triggers and address safety.

OBRA 1987

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, also called the Nursing Home Reform Act, established federal residents' rights and minimum standards for nursing home care and nurse aide training.

Right to refuse treatment

A resident may decline any treatment, medication, or care task. Honor the refusal, document what happened, notify the nurse, and never force or threaten the resident.

Clinical record access time

Under federal rules a resident may inspect their own clinical record, and the facility must make it available within 24 hours of the request, apart from a few limited exceptions.

Mandatory abuse reporting

Any suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation must be reported immediately to the administrator and the state survey agency or ombudsman, regardless of who the suspected abuser is.

Resident privacy rights

Residents have a right to privacy in care, including drawn curtains during personal care, unopened mail, private phone calls, and visits from people of their own choosing.

Restraint release interval

A restrained resident must be released, repositioned, and offered toileting, fluids, and range of motion at least every two hours, with the restraint removed as soon as possible.

Bed position for fall prevention

Keep the bed in its lowest position with the wheels locked, the call light within reach, and the pathway clear. This reduces injury if a resident falls or tries to get up alone.

Maximum hot water tap temperature

Hot water at the resident's tap should not exceed 120 F (49 C) to prevent scalding, because older adults have thinner skin and reduced temperature sensation in the hands and feet.

Restraint order requirement

A physical or chemical restraint requires a written physician's order stating the reason, type, and time limit, and the order must be reviewed and renewed according to facility policy.

Dysphagia positioning

Residents with swallowing difficulty should sit upright at about 90 degrees during meals and stay upright for 30 minutes afterward to reduce the risk of aspiration and choking.

RACE fire response

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm by activating the alarm or calling the code, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish or Evacuate as directed.

PASS fire extinguisher use

Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side while keeping yourself between the fire and an exit route.

Adult CPR ratio and rate

For one-rescuer adult CPR, give 30 chest compressions then 2 rescue breaths, compressing at 100 to 120 per minute to a depth of about 2 to 2.4 inches.

Seizure care

Protect the head, move nearby objects away, do not restrain the person, place nothing in the mouth, time the seizure, and report events lasting longer than five minutes.

Handwashing duration

Wash with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, covering palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails, then dry and use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.

PPE removal order

Remove gloves first, then goggles or face shield, then gown, then mask, and perform hand hygiene immediately afterward. The mask comes off last because it covers the mouth and nose.

C. difficile hand hygiene

Alcohol-based hand rub does not reliably kill C. difficile spores, so wash hands with soap and running water after caring for a resident with a C. difficile infection.

Standard precautions

Infection control practices applied to every resident regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, and eye protection whenever contact with blood or body fluids is likely.