CNA Glossary Flashcards
Abdominal thrusts
Method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking
Abduction
Moving a body part away from the midline of the body
Abrasion
An injury that rubs off the surface of the skin
Absorption
The transfer of nutrients from the intestines to the cells
Abuse
Purposeful mistreatment that causes physical, mental or emotional pain or injury to someone
Active neglect
The purposeful failure to provide needed care, resulting in harm to a person
Activities of daily living
(ADLs)
Daily personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, skin care, nail, hair and dental care
Eating, drinking, walking, transferring and elimination
Acute care
24-hour skilled care given in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers for people who require short-term, immediate care for illnesses and injuries
Adaptive/Assistive devices
Special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform activities of daily living
Adduction
Moving a body part toward the midline of the body
Adult Day services
Care for people who need some help during certain hours, but who do not live in the facility where care is given (similar to outpatient Care)
Advance directives
Legal documents that allow people to choose what medical care they wish to have if they are unable to make those decisions themselves
Affected side
The side of the body that is weakened due to a stroke or injury; also called weaker or involved side
Ageism
Prejudice towards, stereotyping of, and / or discrimination against older persons or the elderly
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive, incurable disease that causes Tangled nerve fibers and protein deposits to form in the brain, which eventually cause dementia and death
Ambulation
Walking
Amputation
The surgical removal of some are all of the body part, usually a hand, arm, leg or foot
Angina pectoris
Chest pain, pressure or discomfort
Antimicrobial
An agent that destroys, resists or prevents the development of pathogens
Anxiety
Uneasiness, worry or fear, often about a situation or condition
Apathy
A lack of interest in activities
Aspiration
The inhalation of food, fluid or foreign material into the lungs
Assault
A threat to harm a person resulting in the person feeling fearful that they will be harmed
Assisted living
Residences for people who do not need 24-hour skilled care, but do require some help with daily care
Atrophy
The wasting away, decreasing in size, and weakening of muscles from lack of use
Autoimmune illness
An illness in which the body’s immune system attacks normal tissue in the body
Battery
Intentional touching of a person without their consent
Bipolar disorder
A type of mood disorder that causes mood swings, changes in energy levels and the ability to function,. Of extreme activity and periods of extreme depression
Bloodborne pathogens
Microorganisms found in human blood, body fluid, draining wounds and mucous membranes that can cause infections and disease in humans
Body mechanics
The way the parts of the body work together when a person moves
Bony prominences
Areas of the body where the bone lies close to the skin
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Medical procedures used when a person’s heart or lungs have stopped working
Care plan
The plan developed for each resident to achieve certain goals; it outlines the steps and tasks that the care team must perform
Catastrophic reaction
Reacting to something in an unreasonable, exaggerated way
Catheter
Offend tube inserted into the body to drain or inject fluids
Causitive agent
A pathogenic microorganism that causes disease
Center for disease control and prevention (CDC)
The federal agency that issues guidelines to protect the health of individuals and communities
Cerebral vascular accident (CVA)
The condition that occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel leaks or ruptures within the brain; also called stroke
Chain of command
The line of authority within the facility
Chain of infection
Way of describing how disease is transmitted from one human being to another
Charting
Documenting information and observations about residents
Cheyne-Stokes
Alternating periods of slow, irregular breathing and rapid, shallow breathing along with periods of not breathing
Chronic
A condition that is long-term or long lasting
cite
to find a problem through a survey
Clean-catch specimen
A urine specimen that does not include the first and last urine added; also called midstream specimen
Closed bed
A bed completely made with the bedspread and blankets in place
Clostridium difficile
C. diff
A bacterium that is spread by spores and feces that are difficult to kill; it causes symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea and can lead to serious inflammation of the colon (colitis)
Cognition
The ability to think logically and clearly
Cognitive
Related to thinking and learning
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
A type of psychotherapy that is often used to treat anxiety disorders and depression. It focuses on skills and solutions that a person can use to modify negative thinking and behavior patterns
Cognitive impairment
The loss of the ability to think logically and clearly
Condom catheter
A type of urinary catheter that has an attachment on the end that fits onto the penis; also called the Texas catheter
Confusion
The inability to think logically and clearly
Conscious
The state of being mentally alert and having awareness of surroundings, sensations and thoughts
Constipation
The inability to eliminate stool, or the infrequent, difficult and often painful elimination of hard, dry stool
Constrict
To narrow
Contracture
The permanent and often painful shortening of muscle or tendon usually due to a lack of activity
Culture change
A term given to the process of transforming services for elders so that they are based on the values and practices of the person receiving care; core values include choice, dignity, respect, self-determination and purposeful living
Cyanotic
Blue or gray, in reference to skin color (results from low levels of oxygen in the blood)
Dangle
To sit up with the legs hanging over the side of the bed in order to regain balance and stabilize blood pressure
Dehydration
A serious condition that results inadequate fluids in the body
Delirium
State of severe confusion that occurs suddenly and is usually temporary
Delusions
Persistent false beliefs
Dementia
Serious loss of mental abilities such as thinking, remembering, reasoning and communicating
Developmental disabilities
Disabilities that are present at birth or emerged during childhood that restrict physical and/or mental ability
Diabetes
The condition in which the pancreas produces too little insulin or does not properly use insulin
With type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce insulin. Type 1 diabetics are born this way and is a condition that lasts a lifetime. It is managed with daily injections of insulin and through diet.
Type 2 diabetes often occurs in obese people or those with a family history of the disease. It can usually be controlled with diet and/or or oral medications. Blood glucose levels should be tested regularly
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
A complication of diabetes that is caused by having too little insulin in the body
Diastolic
The second measurement of blood pressure; the phase when the heart relaxes or rests
Digestion
Process of preparing food physically and chemically so that it can be absorbed into the cells
Dilate
To widen
Direct contact
The way of transmitting pathogens through touching the infected person or their secretions
Disinfection
The process that destroys most, but not all pathogens; it reduces the pathogen count to a level that is considered not infectious
Diuretics
Medications that reduce fluid volume in the body by increasing elimination
Dorsiflexion
Bending backward
Draw sheet
An extra sheet placed on top of the bottom sheet; used for moving residents in bed
Durable power of attorney for healthcare
A signed, dated and witnessed legal document that appoints someone else to make medical decisions for a person in the event they become unable to do so
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
Elope
when a person with Alzheimer’s disease wanders away from a protected area and does not return
Embolism
An obstruction of a blood vessel usually by a blood clot
Emesis
The act of vomiting, or rejecting stomach contents through the mouth and/or nose
Emotional liability
Inappropriate or unprovoked emotional responses, including laughing, crying and anger
Enema
A specific amount of water with or without an additive that is introduced into the colon to stimulate the elimination of stool
Ergonomics
The science of designing equipment, areas, and work tasks to make them safer and to suit the workers abilities
Ethics
The knowledge of right and wrong
Expiration
The process of exhaling air out of the lungs
Expressive aphasia
Trouble communicating thoughts through speech or writing
Extension
Straightening of a body part
False imprisonment
Unlawful restraint of someone that affects the person’s freedom of movement; includes both the threat of being physically restrained and actual restraint
Fecal incontinence
The inability to control the bowels, leading to involuntary passage of stool
Flexion
Bending a body part
Fluid balance
Taking in and eliminating equal amounts of fluid
Fluid overload
A condition that occurs when the body cannot handle the amount of fluid consumed
Foot drop
A weakness of muscles in the feet and ankles that causes problems with the ability to flex the ankles and walk normally
Fowler’s
A semi-sitting body position in which a person’s head and shoulders are elevated 45 to 60°
Fracture
A broken bone
Full weight bearing (FWB)
A doctor’s order stating that a person has the ability to support full body weight (100%) on both legs
Gait
A manner of walking
Gastronomy
Surgically created opening into the stomach in order to insert a tube
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
An anxiety disorder that is characterized by chronic anxiety and worry even when there is no cause for these feelings
Gestational diabetes
Type of diabetes that appears in pregnant women who have never had diabetes before, but who have high glucose levels during pregnancy
Glands
Organs that produce and secrete chemicals called hormones
Glucose
Natural sugar
Gonads
Sex glands
Hallucinations
False or distorted sensory perceptions
Hat
A collection container that can be inserted into a toilet bowl to collect and measure urine or stool
Healthcare associated infection (HAI)
An infection acquired within a healthcare setting during the delivery of medical Care
HIPAA
Federal law that requires health information to be kept private and secure in that organizations take special steps to protect this information
Hemiparesis
Weakness on one side of the body
Hemiplegia
Paralysis on one side of the body
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses or other factors such as alcohol abuse, some medications and trauma
Holistic care
A type of care that involves caring for the whole person - the mind as well as the body
Homeostasis
The condition in which all of the body systems are working at their best
Hormones
Chemical substances created by the body’s glandular system that control numerous body functions
Hospice care
Holistic, compassionate Care given to people who have approximately 6 months or less to live
Hypertension (HTN)
High blood pressure, regularly measuring 130 / 80 mm Hg or higher
Impairment
A loss of function or ability
Incontinence
The inability to control the bladder or bowels
Indirect contact
A way of transmitting pathogens from touching an object contaminated by the infected person
Indwelling catheter
A type of urinary catheter that remains inside the bladder for a period of time also called Foley catheter
Infection
State resulting from pathogens invading the body and multiplying
Inflammation
Swelling
Informed consent
The process in which a person with the help of a doctor, makes informed decisions about their health care
Input
The fluid a person consume; also called intake
Inspiration
The process of inhaling air into the lungs
Insulin
A hormone that works to move glucose from the blood and into the cells in order to produce energy for the body
Insulin reaction
Complication of diabetes that can result from either too much insulin or too little food; also known as hypoglycemia
Intake
The Fluid a person consumes; also called input
Involved side
Side of the body that is weakened due to a stroke or injury; also called weaker or affected side
Lateral
Body position in which a person is lying on either side
Living will
A document that outlines the medical care a person wants, or does not want in case they become unable to make those decisions
Localized infection
An infection that is limited to a specific location in the body and has local symptoms
Logrolling
Moving a person as a unit without disturbing the alignment of the body
Major depressive disorder
Type of mood disorder that causes pain, fatigue, apathy, sadness, irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness and loss of appetite as well as other symptoms. Also called depression or clinical depression
Malpractice
Injury to a person due to professional misconduct through negligence, carelessness or lack of skill
Medicaid
Federal medical assistance program for people who have a low income, as well as people with disabilities
Medical asepsis
Measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens
Medicare
The federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, have certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure, or who are ill and cannot work
Menopause
The end of menstruation; occurs when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months
Mental health
The normal functioning of emotional and intellectual abilities
Mental health disorder
A disorder that affects a person’s ability to function and often causes inappropriate behavior: confusion, disorientation, agitation and anxiety are common symptoms
Metabolism
Physical and chemical processes by which substances are broken down or transformed into energy or products for use by the body
Microbe
A living thing or organism that is so small that it can be seen only under a microscope; also called microorganism
Minimum data set (MDS)
A detailed form with guidelines for assessing residents in long-term care facilities
Mode of transmission
The method of describing how a pathogen travels
Mucous membranes
The membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body such as the linings of the mouth, nose, eyes, rectum or genitals
Myocardial infarction (MI)
A condition that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen because blood flow to the heart is blocked; also called heart attack
Non-intact skin
Skin that is broken by abrasions, cuts, rashes, pimples, lesions, surgical incisions or boils
Non weight bearing (NWB)
A doctor’s order stating that a person is unable to touch the floor or support any body weight with one or both legs
NPO
Abbreviation meaning nothing by mouth; medical order that means a person should not have anything to eat or drink
Objective information
Quantifiable information based on what a person can see, hear, touch or smell; also called signs
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
An anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive behavior or thoughts, which may cause the person to repeatedly perform a behavior or routine
Ombudsman
legal advocates for residents in long-term care facilities who help resolve disputes and settle conflicts
Omnibus budget reconciliation act (OBRA)
The law passed by the federal government that includes minimum standards for nursing assistant training, staffing requirements, resident assessment instructions and information on rights for residents
Open bed
A bed made with linen folded down to the foot of the bed
Occupied bed
A bed made while a person is in the bed
Opposition
Touching the thumb to any other finger
Orthosis
A device that helps support and align a limb and improve its functioning; also called orthotic device
Osteoarthritis
Common type of arthritis that usually affects the hips, knees, fingers, thumbs and spine
Also called degenerative joint disease (DJD) or degenerative arthritis
Osteoporosis
A disease that causes bones to become porous and brittle causing them to break easily
Ostomy
A surgically created opening from an area inside the body to the outside
Output
All fluid that is eliminated from the body; includes urine, feces, vomitous, perspiration, moisture that is exhaled in the air and wound drainage
Oxygen therapy
The administration of oxygen to increase the supply of oxygen to the lungs
Palliative care
Caregiving to people who have serious diseases or who are dying that emphasize relieving pain, controlling symptoms and preventing side effects
Panic disorder
A disorder characterized by a person having regular panic attacks or living with constant anxiety about having another attack
Paraplegia
The loss of function/paralysis of the lower body and legs
Parenteral nutrition (PN)
The intravenous infusion of nutrients administered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system
Partial bath
A bath given on days when a complete bath or shower is not done; includes washing the face, hands, underarms and perineum
Partial weight bearing (PWB)
Doctor’s order stating that a person is able to support some body weight on one or both legs
Pathogens
Microorganisms that are capable of causing infection and disease
Pediculosis
An infestation of lice
Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy (PEG)
Feeding tube that is placed into the stomach through the abdominal wall
Perineal care
Care of the genitals and anal area
Perseveration
The repetition of words, phrases, questions or actions
Person-centered care
A type of care that places the emphasis on the person needing care and his or her individuality and capabilities
Portal of entry / exit
Any body opening on un/infected person that allows pathogens to enter / exit
Pressure injuries
Injuries or wounds that result from skin deterioration and shearing; also called pressure ulcers pressure sores, bed sores or decubitus ulcers
Pressure points
Areas of the body that bear much of the body weight
Pronation
Turning downward
Psychosocial needs
Needs that involve social interaction, emotions, intellect and spirituality
Quadriplegia
Loss of function/paralysis of legs, trunk and arms
Radial pulse
The pulse located on the inside of the wrist, where the radial artery runs just beneath the skin
Range of motion (ROM)
Exercises that put a joint through its full Arc of motion
Receptive aphasia
Difficulty understanding spoken or written words
Reservoir
A place where a pathogen lives and multiplies
Restorative care
Caregiving after rehabilitation to maintain a person’s function, improve his quality of life and increase his Independence
Rheumatoid arthritis
Type of arthritis in which joints become red, swollen and very painful, resulting in restrictive movement and possible deformities
Schizophrenia
A type of psychotic disorder that causes problems with thinking, communication and the ability to manage emotions, make decisions and understand reality
Scope of practice
Defines the tasks that healthcare providers are legally allowed to do as permitted by state or federal law
Shearing
Rubbing or friction that results from the skin moving one way and the bone underneath it remaining fixed or moving in the opposite direction
Shock
A condition that occurs when organs and tissues in the body do not receive an adequate blood supply
Sims position
A body position in which a person is lying on his left side with the upper knee flexed and raised toward the chest
Specimen
A sample that is used for analysis in order to try to make a diagnosis
Sputum
Thick mucus coughed up from the lungs
Standard precautions
A method of infection prevention in which all blood, body fluids, non intact skin and mucous membranes are treated as if they were infected with an infectious disease
Sterilization
A cleaning measure that destroys all microorganisms, including pathogens
Stoma
An artificial opening in the body
Straight catheter
A type of urinary catheter that is removed immediately after urine is drained or collected
Subacute care
Caregiving in hospitals or in long-term care facilities for people who need less care than for an acute illness, but more care than for a chronic illness
Subjective information
Information that a person cannot or did not observe, but is based on something reported that may or may not be true; also called symptoms
Sundowning
Becoming restless and agitated in the late afternoon, evening or night
Supination
Turning upward
Surgical asepsis
The state of being completely free of all microorganisms also called sterile technique
Syncope
Loss of consciousness; also called fainting
Systemic infection
An infection that travels through the bloodstream and is spread throughout the body causing general symptoms
Systolic
First measurement of blood pressure; phase when the heart is at work, contracting and pushing the blood out of the left ventricle of the heart
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
A warning sign of a cva/stroke resulting from a temporary lack of oxygen in the brain; symptoms May last up to 24 hours
Transmission based precautions
Method of infection prevention used when caring for persons who are infected or may be infected with certain infectious diseases
Tuberculosis
A highly contagious disease caused by a bacterium that is carried on mucus droplets suspended in the air; usually affects the lungs and causes coughing trouble breathing, weight loss and fatigue
Tumor
A cluster of abnormally growing cells
Urinary catheter
A type of catheter that is used to drain urine from the bladder
Urinary incontinence
The inability to control the bladder, which leads to an involuntary loss of urine
Vital signs
Measurements - temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, pain level - that monitor the functioning of the vital organs of the body
Voids
Urinates
VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococcus)
Bacteria (enterococci) that have developed resistance to the antibiotic vancomycin
