Utah CNA key terms

The legal protections every nursing home resident has, including privacy, dignity, choice, keeping personal belongings, receiving visitors, and voicing complaints without fear of retaliation.

A resident's voluntary agreement to care or a procedure after the caregiver explains, in words the resident understands, what will happen and the risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Keeping a resident's personal and health information private, sharing it only with staff who need it to give care, as required by HIPAA and facility policy.

Failing to give a resident the care, supervision, food, fluids, hygiene, or safety they need, whether on purpose or because the caregiver was careless or overwhelmed.

Any intentional act that harms a resident, including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial mistreatment, or the improper use of restraints or medications.

The legal duty of nurse aides and other caregivers to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation right away to the charge nurse and the required authorities.

An advocate, often appointed by the state, who investigates resident complaints and helps protect the rights of people living in long-term care facilities.

A written document, such as a living will or health care power of attorney, that records a person's wishes about treatment if they can no longer speak for themselves.

A physical device or medication that limits a resident's freedom of movement, used only after other approaches fail, with a doctor's order and close monitoring.

Steps that lower a resident's chance of falling, such as answering call lights quickly, keeping items within reach, clearing clutter, and using non-skid footwear.

A fire response sequence: Rescue anyone in danger, sound the Alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, then Extinguish the fire or Evacuate the area.

How to use a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the flames, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side.

Using good posture and movement, with feet apart, knees bent, back straight, and weight close to the body, to move or lift safely and avoid injury to the resident and aide.

A purposeful, respectful way of talking with residents that uses open-ended questions, listening, empathy, and clarification so they can share feelings and needs.

Giving a resident full attention by facing them, keeping an open posture, nodding, and repeating back what was said to check that you understood.

A language problem caused by brain damage, such as a stroke, that makes it hard to understand words, find the right words, or speak clearly.

Messages sent without words, such as facial expression, posture, gestures, touch, and tone of voice, which often show a resident's feelings more clearly than words.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at key times, including before and after resident contact, after toileting, and after removing gloves.

Infection-control practices used with every resident, such as hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids, because anyone may carry germs.

Personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn to block contact with blood, body fluids, and germs, then removed and discarded carefully.

Extra infection-control steps for a resident with a known or suspected contagious illness, such as contact, droplet, or airborne precautions, which may include a private room and masks.

The linked conditions that must all be present for an infection to spread: germ, reservoir, exit, mode of transmission, entry, and susceptible host; breaking one link stops it.

Activities of daily living, the self-care tasks of bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and moving, which aides help residents do as independently as possible.

Damage to skin and tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, often over bony areas, prevented by repositioning, checking skin, and keeping skin clean and dry.

Washing the genital and anal area, always wiping front to back, to remove secretions and prevent infection and odor, especially after toileting or incontinence.

Moving a joint through its full normal movement, either by the resident (active) or by the aide (passive), to keep joints flexible and prevent stiffness and contractures.

Measurements of temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and often pain or oxygen level, taken to notice changes in a resident's condition.

Recording how much fluid a resident drinks and how much urine, vomit, or drainage leaves the body, usually in milliliters, to check fluid balance.

A wide strap fastened around a resident's waist that gives the aide a firm hold while helping the person stand, walk, or transfer, reducing fall risk.

Care that helps residents keep or regain the highest possible function by encouraging them to practice daily activities, exercise, and self-care instead of having everything done for them.

Difficulty swallowing that can lead to choking or aspiration, so the resident may need softer foods, thickened liquids, small bites, and upright positioning at meals.

Steps that keep food, fluid, or vomit out of the airway, such as sitting upright, offering small bites, checking for pocketed food, and following diet texture orders.

Giving residents enough fluids to keep the body working properly, since too little fluid can cause confusion, weakness, and constipation; aides offer drinks often and record intake.

Helping a resident eat safely by positioning them upright, offering one bite at a time, respecting food preferences, and allowing time to chew and swallow.

A group of brain conditions that slowly reduce memory, thinking, judgment, and the ability to do daily tasks; it is not a normal part of aging.

Care shaped around each resident's preferences, routines, history, and abilities, treating the person as an individual rather than focusing only on completing tasks.

A way of responding to a person with dementia that accepts and acknowledges their feelings and their reality instead of arguing or correcting them.

Increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness in late afternoon or evening in some people with dementia, often eased by routine, calm lighting, and less noise.

Walking or pacing without a clear purpose, common in dementia, which calls for supervision, secure exits, and activities that meet the person's need to move.