West Virginia CNA key terms

A way of listening that shows full attention: facing the resident, nodding, and repeating back the main points so the person knows you understood and can correct you.

A purposeful way of talking with residents that builds trust and lowers distress, using simple words, open questions, silence, and honest answers instead of arguing or giving false reassurance.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer at key moments, including before and after resident contact, after removing gloves, and after touching soiled items.

Infection-control steps used with every resident no matter the diagnosis, such as hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, masks, and careful handling of body fluids and sharp objects.

Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection that a nurse aide puts on to block contact with blood, body fluids, or germs before starting a task that may splash or soil.

The six conditions that must all be present for infection to spread: a germ, a place to live, a way out, a way to travel, a way in, and a person who can catch it.

Extra precautions for contagious illnesses, grouped as contact, droplet, and airborne; they may include a private room, own equipment, and a mask, gown, or gloves for each visit.

Using the body safely when lifting or moving a resident: feet apart, back straight, weight close to you, and pushing or sliding rather than pulling and twisting.

A wide strap buckled around a resident's waist that gives the nurse aide a firm grip during walking and transfers, helping prevent falls for both people.

A device or method that limits a resident's movement and cannot be easily removed, such as a vest or lap belt; it needs a doctor's order and close monitoring.

Steps that lower the chance of falling, such as keeping the bed low and locked, call light within reach, floor dry and clear, non-skid shoes, and answering calls quickly.

A fire response sequence: Rescue people in danger, sound the Alarm, Contain fire and smoke by closing doors, then Evacuate or Extinguish only if trained and safe.

Safety steps for a resident who may have seizures: clear space, low bed, padded rails, and knowing to protect the head, turn the person on their side, and never force anything into the mouth.

Legal protections that guarantee each resident dignity, privacy, choice, safe care, and freedom from abuse, and that the resident may use without fear of retaliation or punishment.

An independent advocate who looks into complaints made by or for nursing home residents, helps settle problems with the facility, and protects the resident from retaliation.

Letting residents do as much for themselves as is safely possible, like choosing clothes or feeding themselves, instead of doing every task for them for speed.

Respecting a resident's body and personal information by knocking, closing doors and curtains, draping during care, and not discussing care where others can hear.

Damage to skin and tissue caused by steady pressure, often over bony spots like the tailbone or heel, prevented by turning, repositioning, keeping skin clean and dry, and good nutrition.

Basic body measurements, including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and often oxygen level and pain, that show how well the body is working and when to report changes.

Cleaning the genital and anal area with a new wipe each stroke, front to back, to remove urine or stool and help prevent skin breakdown and infection.

Recording all fluids a resident drinks and all urine, vomit, or drainage produced, usually in milliliters, so the nurse can judge whether the body is holding or losing too much water.

Trouble swallowing that raises the risk of choking and aspiration; care includes sitting upright, small bites, thickened liquids if ordered, and watching for coughing or a wet voice.

Breathing food, liquid, saliva, or vomit into the airway instead of swallowing it, which can cause choking, lung infection, or death and must be reported at once.

Not having enough water in the body, which can show as thirst, dark urine, dry mouth, confusion, or weakness and is especially dangerous for older adults.

Moving a joint through its usual arc, either by the resident (active) or by the nurse aide (passive), to keep muscles and joints flexible and prevent stiffness.

A lasting shortening and tightening of muscles and tendons that freezes a joint in a bent position, often caused by a limb not being moved or exercised regularly.

Hard, dry stool that is difficult or infrequent to pass, often from low fiber, low fluids, and little activity; fluids, movement, and a regular toileting schedule help.

An infection of the bladder or kidneys that may cause burning, urgency, cloudy urine, or new confusion in older adults; good peri-care, fluids, and prompt toileting help prevent it.

A scheduled toileting plan that offers the toilet at set times and praises success, helping a resident regain control instead of waiting for accidents to happen.

Care that helps a resident keep or regain skills after illness, such as walking programs, dressing practice, and self-feeding, carried out as ordered and encouraged on every shift.

A group of brain disorders that slowly damage memory, thinking, and judgment; care focuses on routine, simple directions, safety, and responding to feelings rather than correcting mistakes.

A treatable mood disorder that can bring sadness, loss of interest, poor appetite, sleep changes, and withdrawal; signs should be reported to the nurse rather than dismissed as normal aging.

The normal emotional response to loss that may include sadness, anger, guilt, and withdrawal; each resident and family shows it differently and needs patience and support.

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

A resident's voluntary agreement to a test or treatment after a qualified person explains risks, benefits, and other choices; nurse aides never obtain consent themselves.

Keeping a resident's health and personal information private and sharing it only with staff who need it to give care, as the law and respect require.

The legal duty of a nurse aide to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the charge nurse and required agency right away, without investigating the situation personally.

Failing to give a resident needed care, whether on purpose or from carelessness, such as leaving someone in soiled briefs, unpositioned, or without food and fluids.

The duties a nurse aide is trained and legally allowed to perform; anything outside that list must be reported to a licensed nurse instead of attempted.

Doing something on purpose that harms a resident, such as hitting, yelling, stealing, or unwanted sexual contact; it must be reported immediately and the resident kept safe.