Virginia CNA key terms

The set of duties and tasks a nursing assistant is legally allowed to perform, as defined by state law and facility policy. Doing tasks outside this list can be unsafe and illegal.

The process by which a licensed nurse assigns a specific task to a nursing assistant while keeping accountability for the resident's overall care. The assistant should accept only tasks within their training and legal scope.

The line of authority in a facility that shows whom to report to and who answers to whom. Nursing assistants usually report first to the charge nurse or nursing supervisor on their shift.

A resident's voluntary agreement to a treatment or procedure after the risks, benefits, and alternatives have been explained in terms they understand. The nursing assistant may reinforce information but cannot obtain consent.

The legal and ethical duty to keep a resident's personal and health information private. It should be shared only with staff who need it to provide care, never with family, friends, or strangers.

Failure to provide the care a reasonable, prudent nursing assistant would give in similar circumstances, resulting in harm. Examples include leaving a resident unattended in a bathroom or ignoring a call light.

Any intentional action or failure to act that causes physical, emotional, sexual, or financial harm to a resident, including neglect and misuse of property. Suspected abuse must be reported immediately.

An advocate, often a volunteer, who investigates complaints made by or for residents of long-term care facilities and helps protect their rights. A resident may contact the ombudsman privately and without fear of retaliation.

Federally protected guarantees for people living in nursing homes, such as privacy, dignity, choice, visitors, personal belongings, freedom from restraint, and the right to voice grievances without fear of punishment.

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

Giving full attention to a speaker, noticing both words and feelings, and confirming understanding by nodding, asking brief questions, or restating what was said. It builds trust and helps the nursing assistant respond accurately.

Purposeful, respectful conversation that supports a resident's emotional and physical well-being, using open questions, silence, and empathy rather than judgment, arguing, or giving false reassurance.

A condition, often after a stroke, in which a person has trouble understanding or producing language even though thinking may be unaffected. Nursing assistants can use gestures, pictures, short sentences, and extra time.

Washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub at the correct moments, such as before and after resident contact and after removing gloves. It is the single most effective way to prevent infection.

Infection-control practices applied to every resident regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, and safe handling of sharps and soiled linens.

An infection a resident develops while receiving care that was not present or incubating at the time of admission. Good hand hygiene, asepsis, and prompt reporting help prevent these infections.

Any device or method that limits a resident's freedom of movement and cannot be easily removed by the resident, such as a vest or lap belt. It requires a doctor's order and must never be used for convenience.

A fire response acronym: Remove anyone in immediate danger, Activate the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish or Evacuate as directed. Nursing assistants should know their facility's exact fire policy.

Steps taken to reduce a resident's risk of falling, such as keeping call lights and belongings within reach, clearing clutter, using non-skid footwear, locking bed wheels, and answering requests promptly.

Using correct posture, alignment, and large muscle groups to lift, move, or carry objects safely. It protects both the nursing assistant's back and the resident during transfers and repositioning.

Moving a joint through its full normal movement, either by the resident alone (active) or with assistance (passive). Regular range of motion helps prevent stiffness, contractures, and circulation problems.

A permanent shortening of muscles and tendons around a joint that limits movement, often caused by lack of use. Frequent repositioning and range-of-motion exercises help prevent it.

Localized damage to skin and underlying tissue, usually over a bony area, caused by unrelieved pressure, friction, or shear. Prevention includes repositioning, skin checks, moisture control, and good nutrition.

Cleaning the genital and anal area, always wiping from front to back to prevent spreading bacteria toward the urethra. It is done during bathing and after toileting for residents who need help.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the airway instead of swallowing it, which can cause choking or pneumonia. Signs include coughing, choking, a wet voice, or trouble breathing during a meal.

Difficulty swallowing food, liquids, or both, often after a stroke or in certain neurologic diseases. Nursing assistants follow special diet orders, keep the resident upright, and report coughing or pocketing of food.

The record of all fluids a resident drinks and takes in versus all fluids lost through urine, vomit, and drainage. Accurate measurement helps the nurse judge hydration and kidney function.

Routine care of an indwelling catheter, including keeping the drainage bag below the bladder, preventing kinks, and performing catheter hygiene during bathing to reduce the risk of infection.

Measurements of body temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and often oxygen saturation and pain, used to monitor a resident's condition. Values outside the normal range are reported promptly.

A drop in blood pressure when a person stands up quickly, causing dizziness, blurred vision, or fainting. Nursing assistants should help residents rise slowly and stay nearby after they stand.

A heartbeat counted with a stethoscope placed over the heart's apex, usually for a full minute. It is often used for residents taking certain heart medications or when a radial pulse is irregular.

A noninvasive test that estimates how much oxygen the blood is carrying, using a clip on a finger or earlobe. A low reading should be reported to the nurse along with how the resident looks.

A progressive brain condition causing memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with daily tasks, such as Alzheimer's disease. Nursing assistants provide calm routines, simple directions, and a safe environment.

A sudden state of confusion, disorientation, and altered attention that often has a physical cause such as infection, dehydration, or medication. It develops quickly and should be reported right away.

A pattern of increased confusion, agitation, or restlessness in the late afternoon or evening, common in dementia. Calm routines, adequate lighting, and reduced noise before bedtime may help.

Care that treats each resident as an individual and respects their preferences, routines, culture, and choices. It shifts the focus from tasks alone to the person's quality of life and dignity.

A wide strap placed around a resident's waist to give the nursing assistant a secure hold during a transfer. It is used only after checking the care plan and the resident's ability to help.