South Carolina CNA flashcards

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

Hand hygiene duration

Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cleaning under the nails and between fingers. Use an alcohol-based rub for routine hand cleaning when hands are not visibly soiled.

Normal adult pulse rate

A resting adult radial pulse is 60 to 100 beats per minute and should be regular and easy to feel. Report a rate outside this range or a newly irregular rhythm.

Normal adult respiratory rate

Adults normally breathe 12 to 20 times per minute. Count for 30 seconds and double it without telling the resident, or count a full minute if breathing looks abnormal.

Normal adult blood pressure

A normal adult reading is below 120/80 mmHg. Report a systolic of 180 or higher, a diastolic of 110 or higher, or a sudden change with symptoms such as headache or confusion.

Normal adult oral temperature

Oral temperature normally ranges from 97.6 to 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius. Rectal readings run slightly higher and axillary readings slightly lower.

Repositioning immobile residents

Turn and reposition a resident who cannot move independently at least every 2 hours, keeping the body in alignment and supporting the limbs, to prevent pressure injuries and skin breakdown.

Fowler's position angle

Fowler's position raises the head of the bed 45 to 60 degrees; high-Fowler's is 60 to 90 degrees and semi-Fowler's about 30 degrees. Fowler's helps breathing and eating.

Sims' position

A left side-lying position with the left arm behind the body and the right knee drawn toward the chest. It is used for enemas, rectal temperatures, and some examinations.

Fluid ounce to milliliters

One fluid ounce equals 30 milliliters, an 8-ounce cup equals 240 milliliters, one teaspoon equals 5 milliliters, and one tablespoon equals 15 milliliters.

Minimum hourly urine output

Adult urine output should be at least 30 milliliters per hour. Report output below this, no voiding for 6 to 8 hours, or output that is less than fluid intake.

PPE donning order

Put on personal protective equipment in this order: gown first, then mask, then goggles or face shield, then gloves last, so the gloves are the outermost layer.

PPE removal order

Remove gloves first, then goggles, then the gown, and finally the mask while touching only the ties. Perform hand hygiene immediately afterward.

Stages of grief

Kubler-Ross described five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. They may overlap or repeat, and not every person moves through all of them.

Maslow's hierarchy order

Needs are met from the bottom up: physiological needs such as food, air, and water; safety; love and belonging; esteem; then self-actualization. Lower needs are addressed before higher ones.

Communicating with aphasia

Use short sentences, ask one question at a time, offer yes-or-no choices, use gestures or pictures, and allow extra time. Never finish the resident's sentences or pretend to understand.

Communicating with hearing loss

Face the resident, get attention before speaking, lower the pitch of your voice, and avoid shouting. Reduce background noise and use written notes if speech is not understood.

Validation with dementia

Acknowledge the feeling behind a confused statement instead of arguing with facts. Redirect to a safe activity and keep routines consistent to reduce distress.

Behavior as communication

New aggression, crying, or withdrawal usually signals an unmet need such as pain, hunger, constipation, a full bladder, fear, or too much noise. Look for and report the cause.

Restraint use rules

A restraint requires a physician's order for a specific medical symptom and must be the least restrictive option. It is never used for convenience, punishment, or staff shortage.

Defense mechanisms examples

Denial, regression, projection, rationalization, displacement, and compensation are unconscious ways people handle stress. Acknowledge the feeling rather than challenging the mechanism itself.

Resident right to refuse

A competent resident may refuse any care, including bathing or medication. Honor the refusal, inform the nurse, document it, and never force or threaten the resident.

Invasion of privacy examples

Opening a resident's mail, entering without knocking, discussing care in public areas, or sharing information with people not involved in care all violate privacy rights under HIPAA.

Talking about death

If a dying resident brings up death, listen without changing the subject or offering false reassurance. Report the conversation to the nurse and stay calm and present.

Nurse aide scope of practice

Perform only skills taught in the approved training program and delegated by a licensed nurse. Do not give medications, insert tubes, perform sterile procedures, or make nursing assessments.

Objective charting

Record facts you observed or performed, such as "ate 75% of lunch" or "skin reddened on left heel." Avoid opinions, guesses, and statements about another caregiver's work.

Correcting a chart error

Draw a single line through the error so it stays readable, write "error" above it, then add your initials and the date. Never erase, scribble out, or use correction fluid.

Chain of command

The nurse aide reports to the charge nurse or licensed practical nurse, who reports to the registered nurse and then the physician. Report changes in condition immediately.

Mandatory abuse reporting

Nurse aides are mandatory reporters. Report suspected abuse or neglect to the charge nurse immediately and to the state agency as facility policy directs; proof is not required.

OBRA 1987 purpose

This federal law set nursing home standards and resident rights, including dignity, privacy, self-determination, freedom from unnecessary restraints, and access to a state long-term care ombudsman.

HIPAA confidentiality

Resident health information may be shared only with those involved in the resident's care. Do not discuss residents in hallways, elevators, on social media, or while off duty.

Advance directives

Written instructions such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care that state a resident's wishes. Facilities must ask about and honor them.

Unsafe delegation response

If asked to perform a task outside your training or one that is unsafe for the resident, refuse politely, explain why, and report the request to the nurse.