Tennessee Vocabulary List Oct 2022 PDF

# Tennessee Vocabulary List Oct 2022 ## *For Vocab Tests* ### Abandonment - refers to discontinuing medical care without making sure that another health care professional with equal or a higher level of training has taken over patient care. - when the CNA does not finish an assignment and/or leav...

# Tennessee Vocabulary List Oct 2022 ## *For Vocab Tests* ### Abandonment - refers to discontinuing medical care without making sure that another health care professional with equal or a higher level of training has taken over patient care. - when the CNA does not finish an assignment and/or leaves work early without attending to their resident's needs/giving report. ### Abdominal Thrusts - the act of forcing air up through the trachea and dislodge an object; a method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking. - Previously called "Heimlich maneuver." - Do not do abdominal thrusts on someone who has a good or strong cough - instead observe closely and report the situation to the nurse. - Do not interfere if the person has a good cough and is conscious. ### Abductor Wedge - cushioned (usually foam) device used to keep residents legs separate usually after hip surgery to prevent the new hip from "popping out." ### Abnormal Vital Signs - vital signs that are out of "normal" range. ### Absorption - the uptake of substances into or across tissues. ### Abuse - the intentional mistreatment or harm of another; purposeful mistreatment that causes physical, mental, or emotional harm to a person. ### Accidents - an undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually result in harm, injury, damage, or loss. - Common accidents are: falls, failing to identify residents before performing procedures or serving food, buns, and scalds, poisoning, choking, cuts. ### Activities - Nursing centers must provide an active program that promotes physical, intellectual, social, spiritual and emotional well being. - Activities must be individualized; the process of exerting energy. ### Acute - illness that is short in duration, rapidly progressive, and in need of urgent care ### Adaptive - serving or able to adapt; showing or contributing to adaptation; way to perform activity of daily living for disabled person ### Adaptive device - technology used to help someone complete a task that might otherwise be difficult (examples: wheelchairs, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures). - Special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform activities of daily living; also called assistive device ### Adaptive Equipment - are devices that are used to assist with completing activities of daily living. - Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and feeding are self-care activities that are included in the spectrum of activities of daily living (ADLs). ### Adduction - movement toward the midline of the body ### ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) - daily personal care tasks including bathing, dressing, grooming, showering, and toileting activities; walking and transferring ### Admission - the entry of a person into a health care facility. - The CNA helps with an admission by transporting the resident to their room; assisting them with their belongings; taking vital signs and weight and recording them; encourage resident/family to bring a few favorite items from home to help with adjusting to the facility. ### Admitting resident - the process of admitting a patient/resident to a nursing facility. - Includes orienting patient to room, introducing yourself, explaining the daily schedule and routine. ### Advanced directives - legal documents that allow people to choose what medical care they wish to have if they are unable to make those decisions themselves. - CNAs may NEVER witness advance directives ### Afebrile - having no fever ### Affected side - a weakened side from a stroke or injury; also the “weaker” or "involved" side; Do not call the side "weak" or "bad." ### Aging process - the natural occurrences in the body that produce the changes associated with growing old ### Normal Aging Process | Feature | Description | | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Eye trouble | | | Hearing loss | | | High blood pressure | | | Decrease in mobility, agility, and balance | | | Decrease in muscle mass and stamina | | | Higher risk of accidents due to bone fragility | | | Memory loss and decrease in mental endurance | | ### Agitation - a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance, the state of feeling irritation or restless; best to be calm, make sure the person is safe and try again later. ### AIDS - Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - cause by the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) virus attacks the immune system; it destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers; virus is spread through body fluids- blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. ### Alarm - electrical, electronic, or mechanical device that serves to warn of danger by means of a sound or signal. - The nursing assistant should not shut off the alarm of an IV pump or other pump, or similar type of equipment - instead, notify the nurse. ### Alternating pressure mattress - special mattress used to alternate pressure with low air loss to best redistribute pressure of skin and tissue and prevent skin breakdown. ### Alzheimer's - a progressive, incurable disease that causes tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form. - Most common type of dementia. - As with all dementia, requires staff to be patient and understanding; person has limited attention span, for example, the resident doesn't fully dress themselves. - Use short, simple directions; resident's with Alzheimer's and/or dementia need frequent rest periods; residents may not complete all dressing (example: may forget to put on pants or button shirt or put on footwear) due to decreased attention span (forgetful of task sequence); be calm and reassure them in a soft, calm voice; may be helpful for some residents to be provided care in a special, more secure environment or unit that has a more established, consistent routine. ### Alzheimer's care - care provided to a resident with Alzheimer's disease, keeping the patient safe is a priority. ### Ambulation - walking or moving from one place to another; walking; when ambulating a resident using a gait belt, grasp under the belt with fingers pointing upward and stay to the side and one step behind. ### Amputees - an individual who has had a limb cut off ### Anatomy - the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms, a study of the structure and internal workings of something. ### Anger - an emotional state consisting of a subjective feeling of animosity or strong displeasure; a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. - If a person is angry, make sure they are safe, and try again later. - Also, a stage of grief/dying (stages of grief and dying: shock and denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance - person doesn't go through all stages or may stay in one stage); - all people are affected by death; if family asks when resident is going to die, ask them if they want to talk and if they wish you to sit with them – if yes, notify nurse; talking about someone's death helps with grieving. ### Angina - pain. ### Antibiotics - a drug that kills certain microbes that cause infection ### Anti-embolic stockings - tight fitting elastic fabric that applies pressure, compressing veins and helping return blood. - Used in patients with heart disease such as peripheral vascular disease and hypertension. - Used to decrease edema (swelling) and prevent a blood clot (thrombus) or a blood clot that has broken off and is traveling to the lung, or brain (emboli or embolus); if TED hose is too tight, check circulation and notify the nurse; put on in the morning prior to resident getting out of bed. ### Anxiety - intense uneasiness; uneasiness or fear, often about a situation or condition. - Signs of anxiety can include: Feelings of apprehension or dread, trouble concentrating, feeling tense and jumpy, anticipating the worst, irritability, restlessness, watching for signs of danger, feeling like your mind's gone blank, pounding heart, sweating, stomach upset or dizziness, frequent urination or diarrhea, shortness of breath, tremors and twitches, muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, insomnia; surge of overwhelming panic, feeling of losing control or going crazy, heart palpitations or chest pain, feeling like you're going to pass out, trouble breathing or choking sensation, hyperventilation, hot flashes or chills, trembling or shaking, nausea or stomach cramps, feeling detached or unreal. ### Aphasia - partial or total loss of ability to speak or understand spoken language, caused by damage to the brain; no speech or difficulty with speaking. ### Apnea - the lack or absence of breathing; the state of not breathing. ### Appropriate response - a reply that is made that is suitable for the circumstances; the correct response to a given situation. ### Arteries - blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart; high pressure. ### Arthritis - a general term that refers to inflammation of the joints; causes stiffness, pain, and decreased mobility. ### Aseptic - free from disease-causing microorganisms. ### Aspiration - breathing fluid, food, vomitus, or an object into the lungs; can cause pneumonia or death. - Also assist patients to sitting (fowlers) position when eating/drinking or nauseated; highest risk of choking or aspirating is when drinking thin liquids (liquids may need to be thickened); residents with strokes or any neurological deficit have highest risk to aspirate or choke when drinking thin liquids. ### Assault - a threat to harm a person, resulting in the person feeling fearful that he or she will be harmed. ### Assistive device - special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform ADL's; also called adaptive devices; a hearing aid is an adaptive or assistive device; any device that helps a person be more independent. ### Atrophy - waste away from lack of use, decrease in size; range of motion can prevent atrophy. ### Attitudes - how you present yourself, an outward reflection of feelings. ### Authorized duty - who is formally and properly empowered to perform specific duties associated with an office or an agreement or contract. ### Axillary temperature - temperature taken in the armpit, least accurate. Normal adult 96.6-98.6; may be necessary when confused patients cant understand need to keep thermometer under tongue or if patient is has dysphagia. ### Bacteria - one-celled microorganisms, some of which are beneficial and some of which cause disease. ### Bargaining - patient trying to plead in order to gain more time alive or exchange; trying to make a deal, example with God, for more time (stage of death). ### Basic needs - these are the things people cannot live without, such as food, clothing, and shelter. ### Basic skin care - clean and moisturize your skin daily, block the sun. Seek professional help for skin problems. Eat a balanced diet. Self-screening. Provide incontinence care to protect skin from urine/feces ### Bath water temperature - the temperature of the water used to give a bath; when giving a resident a bath make sure the water temperature if safe and comfortable. Check on your inner wrist or with a thermometer; temperature should be 95-105 degrees, but not more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit. ### Bathing - washing while immersing in a container of water; if a resident has anxiety or become combative during bathing or showering, have another person hold their hands. - Bath schedule can be found in the care plan; encourage resident independence - allow them to do as much as they can for themselves. ### Bed cradle - an arched, stainless steel device that is place over the bed frame to prevent the weight of bed linens on a person's legs or feet. ### Bed making - process of making a bed; do as much as possible from one side; work front top to bottom. ### Bed position - the position the bed is in; controlled by buttons on the control of the bed; how the bed sits in a given space. ### Bedrails - a device that serves as a guard or barrier along the side of the bed; also called side rail. ### Bedrest - the restriction of a patient to bed for therapeutic reasons for a prescribed period; confined to bed for defined period; person is to remain in bed. ### Bedsore - a serious wound resulting from skin breakdown; also called decubitus ulcer, pressure sore, pressure ulcer. ### Behavior - a person acting in a different or unpredictable way; some individuals with Alzheimer's exhibit behaviors such as agitation, repetition, hallucinations and suspicion; often related to person's unmet needs, are frustrated or fearful; do not show anger; crying: soothe and tell them it's ok to cry and you will listen; try to comply with reasonable requests; aggressive: protect self, make safe, use calm approach, return later; best way to determine behavior is to observe the behavior directly; consistently collect and document behaviors and report findings to the nurse. ### Behavioral care plan - principals for managing a patient; plan of care developed for all staff to use that offers interventions (what to do) when person exhibits (shows) behavior. ### Beliefs - assumptions or convictions that are held to be true by an individual or a group, regarding concepts, events, people, and things; something believed; all beliefs must be respected by the nursing staff. ### Biohazard - organism, or substance derived from an organism, that poses a threat to human health; bio means life; hazardous means dangerous or harmful; waste that contains infectious waste or pathogens; biohazardous or infectious waste that contains blood or body fluids; place biohazardous waste in special containers labeled with biohazardous waste sign/signage to prevent contamination of that waste to others; label all specimens, place in a 'biohazard labeled bag/container' and transport to lab immediately or ASAP. ### Bladder training - goal is to gain control of urinating; a behavioral modification treatment technique for urinary incontinence that involves placing a patient on a toileting schedule; also called timed toileting or timed voiding; this can prevent residents from incontinence or urinating in inappropriate areas. ### Blindness - the inability to see; a person is legally blind when his or her best corrected vision is reduced to 20/200 or less; absence of sight. ### Blood pressure - the force that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries. ### Body alignment - the proper positioning of the head, back, and limbs in a straight line; posture; the relationship of an individual body segment to each other; : keep spine straight, not curved or twisted. ### Body fluid - tears, saliva, sputum (mucous coughed up), urine, feces, semen, vaginal secretions, and pus or other wound drainage. ### Body mechanics - the way the parts of the body work together whenever you move; keep your back straight; bend at the knees and lift with your arms and legs; widen your stance by having your legs apart to approximately shoulder width or better; keep objects like boxes close when picking up, carrying, and moving to prevent back strain or other injury. ### Body system - groups of organs and tissues that work together to perform important jobs for the body. ### Body temperature - the amount of heat in the body that is a balance between the amount of heat produced and the amount lost by the body. ### Bowel program - program that manipulates factors within a person's control (timing of defecation, exercise, diet) to produce a regular pattern of comfortable defecation without medication or enemas; if a person is incontinent of stool or BM, it is helpful to start a bowel retraining program to better control bowel movements and develop a regular pattern of elimination; encourage fluids and fiber if permitted; offer to toilet routinely. ### BP - blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (MMhg) consisting of a systolic and diastolic number; it's a measurement of how well the heart is working. ### Breathing - the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation