Wyoming CNA key terms

The federal and state protections that guarantee each nursing home resident dignity, privacy, choice, and control over daily life, including the right to be informed, to refuse care, and to voice concerns without fear of retaliation.

An approach that treats each resident as an individual and builds routines, meals, bathing, and activities around that person's preferences, history, and culture rather than around staff convenience.

A resident's voluntary agreement to a treatment or procedure after being told, in words the person understands, what will happen, why it is needed, and what risks and alternatives exist.

The legal duty of a nursing assistant to promptly tell the nurse and, when required, outside authorities about suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident; failing to report is itself a violation.

Any device or method that limits a resident's freedom of movement and cannot be easily removed by the resident, such as a vest tie or lap belt; used only with a physician's order for a specific medical need.

A written document, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care, that states a person's wishes about medical treatment and names who may decide if the person cannot speak.

An independent advocate, usually funded by the state, who investigates complaints made by or for nursing home residents and helps them resolve problems with the facility while protecting their rights.

A fire response acronym: Rescue anyone in danger, Activate the alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Evacuate or Extinguish only if trained and it is safe to do so.

A technique for using a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side from a safe distance.

Steps taken to lower a resident's chance of falling, such as keeping the call light within reach, clearing clutter, using non-skid footwear, keeping the bed low, and answering requests quickly.

Breathing food, liquid, vomit, or saliva into the airway and lungs instead of swallowing it; it can cause choking, pneumonia, or death and must be reported immediately.

The series of conditions needed for an infection to spread: a germ, a place where it lives, a way out, a way to travel, a way in, and a person who can become infected. Breaking any link stops it.

Infection-control practices applied to every resident at all times, because any blood or body fluid may carry germs; includes hand hygiene and gloves whenever contact with fluids is likely.

Cleaning hands with soap and running water or an alcohol-based rub at the moments germs are most likely to move, such as before and after resident contact, after removing gloves, and before food preparation.

Gloves, gowns, masks, goggles, and face shields worn to block contact with blood, body fluids, and airborne germs; put on before contact and removed carefully to avoid contaminating yourself.

Extra infection-control measures used along with standard precautions when a resident has a known or suspected contagious illness; may be contact, droplet, or airborne and often include a private room and posted signs.

Viruses and other germs carried in blood and body fluids that can infect a person through a needle stick, splash, or broken skin; these include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Washing the genital and anal area with gentle soap and water, always wiping front to back, then rinsing and drying well; done during bathing and after toileting to prevent infection and skin breakdown.

Damage to skin and the tissue beneath it caused by unrelieved pressure, usually over a bony area such as the tailbone, heel, or hip; prevention depends on repositioning, clean dry skin, and good nutrition.

The force of blood against artery walls, recorded as two numbers: the higher systolic pressure when the heart squeezes and the lower diastolic pressure when it relaxes between beats.

The heartbeat felt by pressing two fingers lightly on the thumb side of the wrist; it is counted for a full minute and reported with its rate, rhythm, and strength.

A painless measurement of how much oxygen is carried by the blood, taken with a clip or probe on a finger or earlobe; a low reading is reported to the nurse right away.

A drop in blood pressure that happens when a person sits or stands up quickly, causing dizziness or fainting; assistants help by rising residents slowly and letting them sit before standing.

The record of all fluids a resident drinks plus those given by tube or IV, and all fluids lost through urine, vomit, diarrhea, or drainage; used to judge whether hydration is adequate.

Difficulty swallowing that can cause coughing, choking, or food entering the airway; residents with it need special positioning, slower pacing, and the food texture and liquid thickness ordered for them.

A fluid shortage in the body that can cause thirst, dark urine, dry mouth, confusion, and weakness; at-risk residents need fluids offered often and their intake recorded.

A modified diet ordered for a medical reason, such as low sodium, diabetic, low fat, or altered texture; the assistant serves exactly what is ordered and never adds restricted items.

Loss of bladder control that causes accidental urine leakage; it is managed with scheduled toileting, prompt response to the call light, careful skin cleaning, and a calm, respectful manner.

A tube placed into the bladder to drain urine into a bag, held in place by a small balloon; the assistant keeps the bag below bladder level, keeps the tubing unkinked, and gives routine catheter care.

A scheduled routine that helps a resident regain control by toileting at set times, often based on the person's own pattern, with praise and patience instead of scolding for accidents.

A wide strap fastened around a resident's waist that gives the assistant a firm, safe handhold during transfers and walking; it is checked for snugness and is never used as a restraint.

Moving a joint through its full normal movement, either by the resident alone (active) or with the assistant's help (passive), to keep joints flexible and muscles working.

A permanent tightening of muscles and tendons that freezes a joint in a bent position, caused by disuse; it is prevented with regular range of motion, good positioning, and encouragement to be active.

Changing a resident's body position on a regular schedule, usually at least every two hours, to relieve pressure on bony areas and to support circulation, breathing, and comfort.

The duty to keep a resident's health, personal, and financial information private and to share it only with the care team members who need it in order to provide care.

Facts the assistant can see, hear, or measure directly, such as a temperature of 101 degrees, a pulse of 92, or a reddened area on the skin, rather than opinions or guesses.

A factual written account of an unexpected event such as a fall, injury, or medication error, completed promptly so the facility can investigate and prevent repeats; it is not a punishment and is not discussed with others.

A group of brain conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, that slowly damage memory, thinking, judgment, and the ability to do daily tasks; care focuses on routine, safety, patience, and simple directions.

A sudden change in a person's thinking and alertness, often with confusion, restlessness, or hallucinations, usually caused by illness, medication, pain, or infection; it is a medical emergency that must be reported.