Rhode Island CNA cheat sheet

Perform hand hygiene before and after every resident contact and after glove removal; gloves do not replace handwashing.

Turn and reposition an immobile resident at least every 2 hours, and use pillows to maintain body alignment.

During transfers, apply a gait belt unless contraindicated, keep the resident close, widen your stance, and bend your knees.

Count a regular pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2; count an irregular pulse for a full 60 seconds.

For oral temperature, wait at least 15 minutes after the resident smokes or drinks hot or cold fluids.

Provide catheter care by cleaning from the meatus outward with a front-to-back motion and keeping the drainage bag below bladder level.

When assisting with feeding, place the resident upright, offer small bites, and stop feeding if choking, coughing, or gurgling occurs.

Perform range-of-motion exercises only as directed, and stop if the resident reports pain or shows resistance.

Clean incontinent skin front to back, change soiled briefs promptly, and report redness or open areas to the nurse.

Do not argue with a resident who has a delusion; acknowledge the feeling and redirect to a safe, familiar topic.

For hearing loss, face the resident, reduce background noise, speak clearly at a lower pitch, and avoid shouting.

For aphasia, allow extra response time, use yes-or-no questions and gestures, and do not finish sentences for the resident.

Report persistent withdrawal, appetite change, sleep change, or loss of interest because these can signal depression.

Grief is not a fixed sequence; residents may move among denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Respect cultural and religious practices involving diet, prayer, modesty, and care of the body after death.

When a resident expresses sexual needs, provide privacy and redirect unsafe or public behavior without shaming.

Behavior is communication; look for triggers such as pain, hunger, toileting, noise, or fear before responding.

Share resident information only with the care team, and protect privacy during care, conversations, and phone calls.

A CNA performs delegated direct care and reports findings to the licensed nurse; a CNA does not assess, diagnose, prescribe, or change the care plan.

Report new or worsening symptoms to the nurse immediately, then document objective facts in the resident record according to policy.

Use the chain of command: report to the charge nurse first, then to the supervisor or administrator when unresolved.

Report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation immediately to the supervising nurse and administrator; do not investigate it yourself.

Document only what was observed, done, and reported, using factual terms and facility-approved abbreviations.

A CNA may refuse a delegated task that is unsafe or outside training and must notify the nurse.

Keep resident health information confidential and discuss it only with authorized care team members.

Before care, verify identity using two identifiers and explain the procedure to obtain consent.

Follow standard precautions with every resident and treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.