CNA Study Guide Flashcards

Long Term Care Centers

• Provide essential services for individuals unable to self-care, including medical, nursing, dietary, and social support.

Residents

• Individuals residing in long-term care, either permanently or temporarily, often older with chronic conditions or disabilities.

Alert, Oriented Residents

• Residents aware of their identity, location, time, and year; may require varying levels of assistance based on physical conditions.

Confused & Disoriented Residents

• Range from mild confusion to severe disorientation; some may have permanent cognitive issues while others experience temporary difficulties.

Complete Care Residents

• Require full assistance for all needs, including safety, cleanliness, and comfort due to confusion or disability.

Short-term Residents/Respite Care

• Individuals recuperating from surgeries or illnesses, often needing temporary care and support for recovery.

Life-long Residents

• Residents with lifelong disabilities from early injuries or conditions requiring continuous support in multiple life areas.

Developmental Disability

• A type of impairment diagnosed before age 22, which may involve both physical and intellectual limitations.

Mentally Ill Residents

• Individuals facing challenges with stress management affecting behavior and functionality.

Terminally Ill Residents

• Patients nearing the end of life due to disease, requiring compassionate care in their final stages.

Nursing Team

• Comprised of Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Nursing Assistants (NAs) collaborating for patient care.

Nursing Process

• Five steps: Assessment, Nursing Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation aim to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Medicare

• A federal program providing health insurance primarily for individuals aged 65 and older.

Medicaid

• Federal and state program designed to assist with healthcare costs for low-income individuals.

OBRA Residents Rights

• Rights encompassing privacy, treatment refusal, personal choice, and protection from abuse, promoting a dignified quality of life.

Quality of Life Activities

• Facilities must provide activity programs that support physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being.

Quality of Life Environment

• Nursing facilities should present a clean, safe, and home-like atmosphere to enhance residents' living experience.

OBRA Requirements for Dignity & Privacy

• Guidelines emphasize respectful care, maintaining privacy, and ensuring personal choices and independence are honored.

OBRA Requirements (All 50 States)

• Mandates a training program and competency evaluation for Nursing Assistants in nursing centers.

OBRA Training Program

• Involves a minimum of 75 hours of instruction, including practical training for basic nursing care.

OBRA Competency Evaluation

• Comprises a written test and a skills demonstration after training, allowing three attempts for completion.

OBRA Nursing Assistant Registry

• Official record of successfully evaluated Nursing Assistants, maintained for a minimum of five years.

OBRA Other Requirements & Provisions

• Nursing Assistants who haven't worked for two years must undergo retraining and reevaluation.

Delegation

• Registered Nurses can assign tasks to LPNs and NAs, abiding by guidelines for right task and adequate supervision.

Refusing a Task

• Nursing Assistants can refuse tasks outside their legal scope, for safety, training inadequacy, or unclear directives.

Ethical Aspects

• Emphasizes understanding right from wrong; behavior should prioritize patient well-being and fairness.

Good Work Ethics

• Key traits include empathy, dependability, respect, honesty, and cooperation in the care environment.

Assessment

• Involves gathering comprehensive information, including health history and related medical documentation.

Signs

• Objective data observable through physical examination or tests, such as vital signs or visible symptoms.

Symptoms

• Subjective experiences relayed by patients, such as pain or feelings, which cannot be independently observed.

Nursing Evaluation

• Assesses if planned goals were met, potentially leading to adjustments in care plans based on observed progress.

Safety & Security Needs

• Essential for residents to feel secure, including clear communication regarding upcoming procedures.

Dealing with Behavior Issues

• Maintain dignity and respect, offering clear answers and ensuring timely assistance to alleviate distress.

Family & Visitors

• The presence of loved ones supports emotional needs, impacting recovery and overall quality of life.

Accident Risk Factors

• Vulnerabilities arise with age, impaired senses, mobility issues, and the effects of medications.

Preventing Burns

• Key measures include proper supervision around hot materials and vigilant monitoring of environmental hazards.

Wheelchair Safety

• Ensure proper conditions of the wheelchair and secure the safety of residents during transport.

Stretcher Safety

• Collaborate with colleagues for safe transfers; essential to ensure safety straps are secure during transport.

Restorative Nursing/Rehabilitation

• Focused on holistic improvement in each resident’s self-care, mobility, communication, and cognitive skills.

Whole Person

• Respects the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual components of an individual.

Self-Help Devices

• Tailored devices to assist residents with specific limitations in everyday tasks to promote independence.

Rehab & Restorative Focus on PERSON

• Emphasis on comfort, ethical behavior, independence, and adherence to regulatory standards.

Restraint Use

• Should only occur as a last resort to prevent harm; not intended for convenience or discipline.

Restraint Risks

• Potential negative effects include physical and emotional distress, mobility limitations, and health complications.

Restraint Safety

• Restraints must follow strict guidelines, including proper sizing, securement, and regular monitoring for safety.

Hand Washing Procedure

• Essential steps for effective hygiene, ensuring prevention of infection through meticulous cleaning practices.

Standard Precaution Rules

• Guidelines focusing on hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and proper handling of materials to prevent contamination.### Infection Control Guidelines
• Use disposable or utility gloves for cleaning or in care settings; remove gloves after contact with individuals or equipment.
• Never wear the same pair of gloves for multiple patients; change gloves if moving from contaminated to clean areas.
• Do not wash gloves for reuse; change gloves during patient care when necessary.
• Employ mouth, nose, and eye protection (masks, goggles, face shields) for tasks likely to cause splashes of bodily fluids.
• For respiratory secretions, wear gloves, gowns, and a face shield or mask with goggles.

Hygiene Practices

• Cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them correctly.
• Practice hand hygiene and avoid contamination while handling visibly soiled care equipment.

Environmental Control

• Follow agency policies for cleaning and maintaining surfaces.
• Handle used linens gently to prevent the spread of contaminants.

Worker Safety

• Ensure personal protection against blood-borne pathogens in all healthcare activities.
• Use equipment like a mouthpiece for rescue breathing to avoid direct contact with oral secretions.

Patient Placement and Room Management

• Preferred placement for patients at risk of infection is in a private room.
• Follow nursing directives if a private room is unavailable.

Bed Making Protocols

• Use good body mechanics; practice standard and medical asepsis when making a bed.
• Handle linens carefully: avoid shaking or putting dirty linens on clean surfaces.
• Change wet or soiled linens immediately to maintain hygiene.

Denture Care

• Handle and clean dentures over a towel-lined basin to prevent breakage; use cool water to preserve shape.
• Store dentures in a designated container and remove them at bedtime for better oral care.

Perineal Care Guidelines

• For females, clean from front to back using separate parts of a washcloth with each stroke.
• For males, retract the foreskin (if uncircumcised); clean the tip with circular motions and return the foreskin afterward.

Dressing Assistance

• Always undress the stronger side first; dress the weaker side first to encourage patient participation in care.

Shaving Techniques

• Use electric razors for patients on anticoagulants; avoid safety razors to minimize cuts.
• Soften skin prior to shaving, and shave in the direction of hair growth to prevent irritation.

Skin Anatomy

• The epidermis is the outer skin layer and contains pigment but has no blood vessels.
• The dermis, the inner layer, contains blood vessels, nerves, and skin appendages like sweat and oil glands.

Joint Anatomy

• Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments connect bones at joints.
• Joints can be categorized into ball-and-socket (hip, shoulder), hinge (elbow), and pivot (skull/spine) types.

Cardiac Anatomy

• The heart consists of several layers: the pericardium (outer), myocardium (muscular middle), and endocardium (inner lining).
• The right atrium receives blood from the body; the left atrium receives blood from the lungs.

Respiratory System

• The trachea (windpipe) divides into bronchi leading to alveoli for gas exchange.

Reproductive Anatomy

• Testes produce sperm and testosterone; ovaries secrete estrogen and progesterone.
• The prostate gland and urethra play vital roles in the male reproductive system.

Aging Effects

• Skin changes in older adults include loss of elasticity, dryness, fragility, and decreased sensation.
• Digestive system alterations may cause reduced saliva production, decreased appetite, and slower peristalsis, leading to potential digestion issues.

Fractures and Joint Health

• Closed fractures do not break the skin, while open fractures do.
• Conditions like osteoarthritis involve joint inflammation, resulting in pain and mobility issues, particularly in weight-bearing joints.