Washington CNA key terms

Everyday self-care tasks a person performs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, using the toilet, and moving from place to place. Nurse aides often help residents with the ADLs they cannot safely complete alone.

The full movement a joint can make in its normal directions, such as bending and straightening an elbow. Aides carry out ROM exercises as ordered to keep joints flexible and prevent stiffness.

A permanent shortening and tightening of muscle or tendon that freezes a joint in a bent position. It develops when limbs are not moved regularly, so routine ROM and repositioning help prevent it.

Keeping the head, trunk, and limbs in their proper positions relative to one another. Good alignment spreads weight evenly, protects the skin, and helps the resident breathe and swallow more comfortably.

Damage to skin and underlying tissue caused by unrelieved pressure, usually over a bony area such as the tailbone or heel. Frequent repositioning and skin checks are the main ways aides help prevent it.

A wide strap fastened around a resident's waist that an aide grips to steady the person during walking or transfers. It gives the helper a secure hold without pulling on the resident's arms.

Walking, with or without equipment such as a cane, walker, or gait belt. Aides encourage safe ambulation as ordered because staying mobile protects strength, balance, circulation, and independence.

Difficulty swallowing that raises the risk of food or liquid entering the airway. Signs include coughing, choking, pocketing food, or a wet voice during meals, which should be reported right away.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the lungs instead of swallowing it. It can cause choking or a serious lung infection, so aides follow positioning and diet-texture orders carefully.

Washing the genital and anal area, always wiping from front to back. This routine care prevents infection and odor and is done during bathing or after episodes of incontinence.

Loss of bladder or bowel control that a person cannot prevent. Aides respond quickly to keep skin clean and dry, avoid embarrassment, and report changes in the pattern to the nurse.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at the right moments, including before and after every resident contact. It is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection.

Infection-control practices used for every resident at all times, assuming all blood and body fluids may carry germs. They include hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and safe handling of sharps.

Gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, and face shields worn to keep germs off an aide's skin and clothing. PPE is put on and removed in a set order and is never worn outside the care area.

Temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, plus pain in many facilities. These measurements show how well the body is working, and aides report any reading outside the resident's normal range.

A test that estimates how much oxygen the blood is carrying, using a small clip placed on the finger. Readings outside the ordered range are reported to the nurse.

Measuring and recording everything a resident drinks and everything that leaves the body as urine, vomit, or drainage. Accurate totals help the nurse judge hydration and kidney function.

Gathering a sample of urine, stool, sputum, or another body fluid for laboratory testing. Aides use the correct container, label it properly, and keep the sample free of contamination.

Practices that keep a surface, object, or body area completely free of germs, used for procedures such as catheter insertion or dressing changes. Sterile items that touch a non-sterile surface are considered contaminated.

Steps taken to protect a resident who may have a seizure, such as keeping the bed low, padding side rails, and clearing away sharp objects. During a seizure the aide protects the head and never forces anything into the mouth.

Routine cleaning and checking of an indwelling urinary catheter, including the tubing and the area where it enters the body. Keeping the drainage bag below the bladder stops urine from flowing backward and causing infection.

Care that helps a resident regain or keep the highest possible function through practice of daily activities, exercise, and self-care. The goal is to do with the resident rather than doing everything for the person.

A device that holds a joint or limb in a set position to prevent deformity, protect healing tissue, or reduce spasm. Aides apply splints as ordered and check the skin underneath them.

A scheduled toileting program that helps a resident regain bladder control by offering the toilet at set times. Success depends on patience, privacy, and recording when accidents happen.

An artificial body part, such as a leg, arm, or eye, that replaces a missing one. Aides help the resident put it on, keep it clean, and check the skin where it rests.

Care planned around each resident's own preferences, routines, history, and goals instead of around staff convenience. It treats the resident as a partner in decisions and everyday choices.

Treating each resident as a worthwhile person whose privacy, choices, and feelings matter. Knocking before entering and covering the body during care are simple ways an aide shows dignity.

Giving full attention to a resident's words and feelings, then showing understanding by nodding, asking questions, or repeating the message back. It builds trust and helps uncover concerns.

A way of responding to a confused resident that accepts the feelings behind the person's words instead of arguing about facts. It reduces distress and protects the resident's sense of worth.

Encouraging a resident to talk about past experiences, often with photos, music, or familiar objects. It supports identity, memory, and connection and can ease loneliness.

Respecting and adapting to a resident's language, religion, food, family roles, and health beliefs. It means asking about preferences instead of assuming everyone wants the same care.

A physical or emotional requirement, such as pain, hunger, toileting, or loneliness, that a resident cannot express directly. Behavior changes are often a clue, so aides look for the cause instead of only the behavior.

The tasks and decisions a nurse aide is trained and legally allowed to perform, as set by state law and facility policy. Doing work outside that scope, such as giving medications, is unsafe.

A licensed nurse asking a nurse aide to perform a specific task within the aide's training while the nurse keeps responsibility for the resident's overall care. The aide should ask for clarification when unsure.

The legal duty of nurse aides to report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or unsafe conditions to the nurse in charge and the proper authority without delay. Retaliation against a reporter is prohibited.

A written document stating a person's wishes about medical treatment, such as a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care, used when the person cannot speak for themselves.

Keeping a resident's personal and medical information private and sharing it only with care team members who need to know. Talking about residents in public areas or on social media violates their rights.

The written guide to a resident's individual needs, goals, and care approaches, developed by the care team with the resident and family. Aides follow it and report changes that may require an update.

An independent advocate who investigates complaints from residents of long-term care facilities and helps protect their rights, free of charge and without fear of retaliation.