Tennessee CNA key terms

Washing hands with soap and water or rubbing them with an alcohol-based sanitizer to remove germs. It is the most effective single step for preventing infection and is done before and after every resident contact.

Infection control steps used with every resident every time, because anyone may carry germs. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gown, mask, eye protection, and careful handling of sharps and body fluids.

Gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection worn to block germs from passing between the nursing assistant and the resident. PPE is put on and taken off in a set order to avoid contaminating yourself.

Extra infection control measures for a resident with a known or suspected contagious illness. Depending on how the germ spreads, they may add gloves and gowns, a private room, a mask, or special air handling.

Temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and often oxygen level or pain. These measurements show how the body is working and are compared with the resident's own normal baseline.

A record of all fluid a resident drinks and all fluid leaving the body as urine, vomit, drainage, or stool. Careful measurement helps the nurse spot dehydration or fluid overload early.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the airway instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking, pneumonia, or death, so residents with swallowing problems are fed upright, slowly, and watched closely.

Difficulty swallowing. Warning signs include coughing or choking during meals, a gurgly voice, drooling, and food staying in the cheek, all of which must be reported so the resident can be evaluated.

Helping a resident eat and drink by opening packages, cutting food, and offering bites at a calm pace. The resident sits upright, chooses what and how much to eat, and is never rushed or force-fed.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by pressure that cuts off blood flow, usually over a bony area. It begins as redness that does not fade and can become an open wound if pressure is not relieved.

Turning and moving a resident on a regular schedule, often at least every two hours, to relieve pressure on bony areas. It protects the skin from breakdown and also helps circulation, comfort, and lung expansion.

Washing the genital and anal area and drying it well, always wiping from front to back. This keeps bacteria away from the urinary opening and protects delicate skin after toileting or incontinence.

Loss of bladder or bowel control that the resident cannot prevent. It is handled with dignity, prompt cleaning, skin protection, and a toileting schedule instead of scolding or limiting fluids.

The everyday self-care tasks of bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and moving about. Nursing assistants help with these while encouraging the resident to do every part they are able to do.

Using the body correctly when lifting or moving, with feet apart, knees bent, back straight, and the load held close. Good body mechanics protect both the nursing assistant and the resident from injury.

A wide strap buckled snugly around a resident's waist, over clothing, to give the assistant a firm hold during walking or transfers. It is a safety aid, not a handle for lifting someone off the floor.

Moving a resident from one surface to another, such as bed to chair. The assistant explains the plan, locks the wheels, uses the resident's own strength, and applies a gait belt with good body mechanics.

Actions that lower the chance a resident will fall, such as keeping the call light within reach, clearing clutter, using non-skid footwear, and answering requests promptly. Every fall is reported, even without visible injury.

A device or practice that limits movement and cannot easily be removed by the resident, such as a vest or lap belt. It needs a doctor's order and is never used for convenience, discipline, or staff shortage.

Moving a joint through its full normal movement. Active range of motion is done by the resident alone; passive range of motion is performed by the assistant when the resident cannot move that joint.

Emergency measures that push blood and air through the body when the heart or breathing has stopped. Nursing assistants call for help, follow the facility emergency plan, and honor the resident's code status.

The response when fire is found in a facility: rescue anyone in danger, pull the alarm, contain the fire by closing doors, then evacuate or extinguish. Residents who cannot walk are moved horizontally first.

A purposeful way of speaking and listening that helps a resident feel respected and understood. It uses open questions, restating, silence, and empathy instead of arguing, judging, or giving advice.

Giving full attention to a resident and showing it through eye contact, nodding, and repeating the message back. It helps the assistant notice feelings and concerns that are not said out loud.

Anything that keeps a message from being understood, such as noise, hearing loss, language differences, a tracheostomy tube, or strong emotion. The assistant works to reduce the barrier rather than blaming the resident.

Loss of the ability to understand or produce language, usually after a stroke. The resident is still an intelligent adult, so the assistant allows extra time and uses simple words, gestures, and picture boards.

Telling the nurse promptly about changes and writing objective facts in the record according to facility policy. Reporting is spoken and immediate; documenting is written, timely, accurate, and never done for another person.

The legal guarantees of every nursing home resident, including dignity, privacy, choice, visitors, personal belongings, freedom from abuse, and a voice in care. Staff protect these rights even when a resident cannot speak up.

The duty to keep a resident's health and personal information private and to share it only with staff who need it for care. Gossip, public discussion, and looking at records without a work reason violate the law.

Deliberate harm to a resident, such as hitting, threatening, yelling at, stealing from, or withholding care on purpose. Any suspicion must be reported immediately, and the resident is protected from retaliation.

Failing to give a resident the care needed for health and safety, such as food, fluids, hygiene, supervision, or medical attention. It may be unintended, but it still harms the resident and must be reported.

The legal duty of nursing assistants and other caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation right away. The report is made even when the facts are not yet fully known or confirmed.

A legal document stating a resident's wishes about medical treatment, such as a living will or a health care power of attorney. It guides care when the resident can no longer decide or speak.

Care planned around a resident's own preferences, history, routines, and goals instead of staff convenience. It treats the person as an individual and builds the day around what matters most to them.

Doing as much for oneself as possible, such as bathing or eating with only set-up help. The assistant supports it by allowing extra time and offering choices instead of taking over the task.

A gradual decline in memory, thinking, and judgment caused by brain disease that is severe enough to affect daily life. It is not normal aging, and abilities change as the condition progresses.

A sudden change in attention and awareness, often caused by infection, dehydration, pain, or medication. It comes on quickly and may be reversible, so it must be reported to the nurse immediately.

Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation in the late afternoon and evening in some people with dementia. Calmer routines, good lighting, and less noise and activity can reduce it.

Responding to a confused resident's feelings and beliefs with acceptance instead of correction. Rather than arguing about facts, the assistant acknowledges the emotion behind the words, which lowers distress.

Walking or moving about without a clear purpose, which is common in dementia. It is managed by meeting unmet needs, offering safe walking areas, and using supervision or alarms rather than restraints.