Rhode Island CNA flashcards

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

Hand hygiene

Perform hand hygiene before and after every resident contact and after removing gloves; gloves do not replace handwashing because they can carry germs.

Repositioning schedule

Turn and reposition an immobile resident at least every two hours, using pillows for alignment, to reduce pressure injury risk and maintain comfort.

Gait belt use

Apply a gait belt unless contraindicated, keep the resident close, widen your stance, and bend your knees when assisting a transfer or walking.

Pulse counting rule

Count a regular pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by two; count an irregular pulse for a full 60 seconds to obtain the correct rate.

Oral temperature wait

Wait at least 15 minutes after the resident smokes or drinks hot or cold fluids before taking an oral temperature.

Catheter care direction

Clean the catheter from the meatus outward with front-to-back strokes, and keep the drainage bag below bladder level to prevent infection.

Feeding safety

Sit the resident upright, offer small bites, and stop feeding if choking, coughing, or gurgling occurs; report the event to the nurse.

Range-of-motion stop signs

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

Incontinence skin care

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

Fall prevention checks

Keep the call light within reach, bed in low position, brakes locked, and needed items close; report dizziness or new weakness before ambulation.

Specimen label rule

Label a specimen container at the bedside with resident identifiers, place it in the required bag, and send it promptly per facility policy.

Delusion response

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

Hearing loss communication

Face the resident, reduce background noise, speak clearly at a lower pitch, and avoid shouting because shouting can distort words.

Aphasia communication

Allow extra response time, use yes-or-no questions and gestures, and do not finish sentences for a resident with aphasia.

Depression warning signs

Persistent withdrawal, appetite change, sleep change, and loss of interest can signal depression and should be reported to the nurse.

Grief pattern

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

Cultural care respect

Respect cultural and religious practices involving diet, prayer, modesty, and care of the body after death; ask the resident or family.

Sexual behavior response

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

Behavior trigger search

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

Confidentiality rule

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

Resident choice support

Offer choices in daily care, such as clothing or food, within safety limits to support autonomy and dignity.

Restraint release check

If a restraint is ordered, follow the ordered schedule for release, repositioning, toileting, and circulation checks; report skin or behavior changes.

CNA scope

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.

Change reporting

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

Chain of command

Report concerns to the charge nurse first, then to the supervisor or administrator when unresolved; follow the facility chain of command.

Abuse reporting

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

Objective documentation

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

Unsafe delegation

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

Two identifiers

Before care, verify resident identity using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, and explain the procedure to obtain consent.

Standard precautions

Follow standard precautions with every resident and treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious; use gloves when contact is likely.

Incident report facts

Complete an incident report with factual details per policy, document objective care in the record, and do not blame or speculate.

Ombudsman role

The long-term care ombudsman helps residents voice concerns and understand rights; CNAs should not retaliate when a resident contacts one.