Comprehensive Final Study Guide Flashcards
ADL
Activities of Daily Living
DNR
Do Not Resuscitate
LTCF
Long Term Care Facility
NPO
Nothing By Mouth
Atrophy
When a muscle wastes away, decreases in size and becomes weak
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
A law that requires healthcare facilities to protect employees from bloodborne health hazards. Employers must have an exposure control plan.
Contracture
The permanent and painful stiffening of a joint and muscle
Deep breathing exercises
Exercises that help expand the lungs, clearing them of mucous and preventing infection
Holistic
Considering a whole system, such as a whole person, rather than dividing the system up into parts
Hospice
A term for the special care that a dying person needs. It helps meet all the needs of the dying resident.
Ombudsman
The legal advocate for residents; helps resolve disputes and settle conflicts
Passive range of motion (PROM) exercises
Exercises used when residents cannot move on their own; a staff member performs these exercises without the resident’s help. When helping with PROM exercises, support the resident’s joint and move them through the range of motion.
Rehabilitation
Care that is managed by professionals to help restore a person to the highest level of functioning
How often are inspections done in facilities?
Every 9 - 15 months
Is the resident part of the healthcare team?
Yes. The resident has the right to make decisions and choices about his/her own care.
Can activities not listed on the care plan be performed?
No. Activities not listed on the care plan should NOT be performed.
Know the tasks that a NA can perform.
Helping residents with toileting needs; giving a resident a bath; helping a resident eat dinner; transferring a resident from the bed to a chair
Know examples of a professional relationship with an employer.
Documenting carefully; do not be afraid to ask questions or ask for help; always be on time; being a positive role model for your facility; plan ahead by making a list of tasks to do; never steal from residents
Why was HIPAA created?
To help keep health information private and secure.
What are the penalties for violating HIPAA?
Fines range from $100 - $250,000 or prison sentences of up to 10 years
Know about cultural backgrounds.
A person’s cultural background helps determine how people communicate and can help you communicate better with the resident. The use of touch and eye contact varies with cultural background and personality. For some people, touching is welcome. It expresses caring and warmth. For others, it seems threatening or harassing.
How should a NA respond to a resident who cannot hear or understand him/her?
Face the resident. Speak more slowly than you do with family and friends. Speak clearly. Do not whisper. Use a pleasant, professional tone.
Know the characteristics of a good listener.
Sit up or stand straight. Allow the other person to express his/her ideas completely. Concentrate on what he/she is saying. Do not interrupt. Do not finish his/her sentences. When he/she is finished, restate the message in your own words.
When should documentation be done?
Immediately after care is given.
Know how to convert time into military time.
Midnight = 0000 or 2400
1:00 am = 0100
2:00 am = 0200
For pm, add 12.
1:00 pm = 1300
3:00 pm = 1500
When is it appropriate to ignore a call light?
Never
What is the single most important thing that you can do to prevent the spread of illness?
Wash your hands.
When should standard precautions be practiced?
On every single person.
Know the facts about falls and guidelines for preventing falls.
The consequences of falls can range from minor injuries to death and life-threatening injuries. Keep all walking areas free of clutter. Use rugs with non-slip backing. Improve lighting where needed. Residents should avoid wearing clothing that is too loose or drags the floor. Immediately clean up spills on the floor. Lock wheelchairs before helping residents into or out of them. If a resident falls, bring the resident’s body close and lower him/her to the floor.
Know the guidelines for preventing scalds/burns.
Pour hot drinks away from residents. Keep hot drinks and liquids away from edges of tables. Put a lid on them. Make sure residents are sitting down before serving hot drinks.
The NA should identify the resident before placing meal trays or helping with feeding. Residents should be sitting as upright as they can to help prevent choking.
Know the facts about restraints, examples of restraints, and examples of restraint alternatives.
Restraints can never be applied without a doctor’s order. Restraints can only be tied to the movable part of a bed frame, not to the side rails or other areas of the bed. A restrained resident must be checked on at least every fifteen minutes. Restraints can cause stress on the heart, loss of bone mass, loss of muscle mass, pressure sores, pneumonia, increased agitation, and loss of independence.
Physical restraints = vests and jacket restraints, belt restraints, wrist/ankle restraints, mitt restraints, side rails on a bed and geriatric chairs
Chemical restraints = medications given to control a person’s behavior
Restraint alternatives = Make sure the call light is within reach and answer call lights promptly. Ambulate the resident when he/she is restless. Provide activities for those who wander at night. Distract or redirect interest. Give the resident a repetitive task.
Know about body mechanics.
- Alignment
- Base of support
- Fulcrum and lever
- Center of gravity
When lifting a heavy object from the floor, spread your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees. Do not twist when you are moving an object. To help a resident sit up, stand up, or walk, protect yourself by assuming a good stance. Bend your knees to lower yourself, rather than bending from the waist. If you are making an adjustable bed, adjust the height to a safe working level, usually waist high.
Choking
Encouraging them to cough as forcefully as possible to get the object out. Stay with the person at all times, until he/she stops choking or can no longer speak, cough or breathe. Alternating between 5 abdominal thrusts and 5 back blows until the object is dislodged.
What are some ways an NA can promote a resident’s independence?
- Encourage residents to do as much as possible for themselves, even if it seems easier for you to do things for residents.
- Encourage self-care, regardless of how long it takes or how poorly they are able to do it.
- Be patient.
- Allow residents to make choices.
Identify ways to help residents meet their spiritual needs.
- Respect all residents’ beliefs, whatever they are.
- Do not make judgements about residents’ spiritual beliefs or try to push your beliefs on residents.
- Learn about residents’ religions or beliefs.
- Listen carefully to what residents say.
- Residents may have strong beliefs in God, or very little or no belief in God or a higher power.
Identify ways to respect a resident’s sexual needs.
- Always knock or announce yourself before entering resident’s room
- If you encounter a sexual situation, provide privacy and leave
- Be open and non-judgmental about resident’s sexual attitudes
- Do not judge resident’s sexual orientation or any sexual behavior that you see
Identify examples of cliches.
“It will all work out”
“We’ve all been there before”
“I know how you are feeling”
