Tennessee CNA flashcards

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

Normal adult respiratory rate

Twelve to twenty breaths per minute at rest. Count for a full minute without announcing it, keeping fingers on the wrist as though still counting the pulse.

Alcohol-based hand rub use

Use when hands are not visibly dirty: apply the product and rub palms, backs, between fingers, and under nails until dry. Wash with soap and water when hands are soiled.

Donning personal protective equipment

Gown first, then mask, then goggles or face shield, and gloves last. Remove in reverse order, taking gloves off first, followed by eyewear, mask, and gown.

Pulse deficit calculation

Apical pulse minus radial pulse, counted at the same time by two people for one full minute. A deficit suggests the heart is not pumping effectively.

Blood pressure cuff size

The bladder should cover about two-thirds of the upper arm. A cuff that is too small gives a falsely high reading, and one too large reads falsely low.

Sterile field contamination

Items below waist level, out of view, or touched by clothing are contaminated. Never turn your back on a sterile field; when in doubt, consider it contaminated.

Perineal care direction

Wash from front to back, moving from the urethral opening toward the rectum. This keeps fecal bacteria out of the urinary tract and helps prevent infection.

Bath water temperature

About 105 degrees Fahrenheit, or comfortably warm to the inner wrist. Check with a thermometer and let the resident test the water when able.

Dressing a weak side

Put the garment on the weak or affected arm first, then the strong side. When undressing, remove from the strong side first so the weak side is last.

Repositioning to prevent pressure injury

Turn and reposition an immobile resident at least every two hours, including overnight. Inspect the skin at each turn for redness that does not blanch.

Denture care safety

Clean dentures over a basin filled with water or lined with a washcloth so they will not break if dropped. Store them in a labeled cup of water.

RACE fire response

Rescue anyone in danger, Alarm by pulling the nearest alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, then Extinguish or Evacuate. Move residents in immediate danger first.

Seizure care during convulsion

Protect the head, loosen tight clothing, place nothing in the mouth, and do not restrain. Time the seizure and turn the resident to the side afterward.

Restraint monitoring frequency

A restrained resident is checked and released at least every fifteen minutes, with circulation, skin, and safety assessed. Restraints require a current physician's order.

Wheelchair-to-bed transfer setup

Lock the wheelchair brakes, swing away the footrests, and position the chair at a forty-five degree angle to the bed before assisting the resident to stand.

Restorative care approach

Set up supplies and cue the resident to do as much self-care as possible instead of completing the task for them. Use ordered devices such as walkers and adaptive utensils.

Communicating with hearing-impaired resident

Face the resident, get their attention, reduce background noise, and speak clearly and slowly. Lowering voice pitch helps more than shouting into the ear.

Aphasia communication technique

Allow extra time, ask short yes-or-no questions, and use gestures or picture boards. Never pretend to understand; ask the resident to repeat or show you.

Verifying a received order

Repeat the message back to the speaker in your own words to confirm accuracy. Write it down when possible, especially for telephone orders from a physician.

Objective versus subjective reporting

Report what you see, hear, and measure rather than judgments or labels. Say the resident cried and refused lunch instead of saying the resident was depressed.

Confidentiality in public areas

Do not discuss a resident's name, condition, or care in hallways, elevators, or dining rooms. Share information only with staff directly involved in that resident's care.

Mandated reporting duty

Nursing assistants must report any suspicion of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property immediately to the charge nurse and, as state law requires, to the designated hotline.

Refusal of care response

Honor the resident's right to refuse. Do not force or threaten; note what was refused and notify the nurse so the refusal can be addressed.

Right to privacy during care

Knock, announce yourself, and wait for permission before entering. Close doors and curtains during care and expose only the body part being cared for.

Promoting resident independence

Offer choices such as which clothing to wear or when to bathe, and allow the resident to perform as much self-care as is safely possible.

Grievance without retaliation

Residents may complain about care or conditions without fear of punishment. Assist them in voicing a concern and never treat them differently for doing so.

Sundowning behavior

Increased confusion and agitation in late afternoon and evening. Reduce noise and crowds, keep lighting bright, maintain routines, and limit caffeine and late naps.

Delirium versus dementia

Delirium begins suddenly from illness, medication, or dehydration and may be reversible; dementia is slow and progressive. Any sudden mental status change is reported.

Approaching an agitated resident

Approach from the front at eye level with a calm, low voice, and avoid sudden touch. Do not stand over the resident or corner them in a room.

Wandering response

Do not restrain or scold. Redirect gently, walk with the resident, offer a distraction or snack, and check that exit doors and stairwells are secured.

Validation for dementia confusion

Do not argue with or correct a false statement. Acknowledge the feeling, reassure the resident, and redirect to a safe activity rather than insisting on reality.

Suicidal statement response

Treat any talk of self-harm or suicide as an emergency. Stay with the resident, do not leave them alone, remove hazards, and notify the nurse immediately.