Exam 1 Flashcards
What is the length of stay of most LTC patients
Over 2/3 of LTC residents stay six months or longer
What is a major cause of admission to care facilities
Dementia and other mental disorders
What is a procedure
A method, or way, of doing something (e.g. explains what form to complete, when and how often to fill it out, and to whom it is given)
What should NAs not discuss with residents or families
Personal problems
What should NAs not take from residents or their families
Money or gifts
How long is the window for surveys open for LTCs
9-15 months
What happens if an LTC doesn’t fill out a survey
The surveyor can just show up with no warning
What is an RN
In a long-term care facility, a registered nurse coordinates, manages, and provides skilled nursing care
What is an LPN or LVN
A licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse administers medications and gives treatments
What does the care team revolve around
The resident and their condition, goals, priorities, treatment, and progress
What does it mean to show sympathy
To share in the feelings and difficulties of others
What is a benefit of the chain of command
It protects employees and employers from liability
What does the scope of practice define
The roles, responsibilities, and procedures that are within the knowledge, training, and legal definition of a profession
Is the information that NAs collect usueful
Yes: The information that NAs collect, such as vital signs, and the changes that they observe are important in determining how care plans may need to change
What is the difference between laws and ethics
If ethics tell people what they should do, laws tell them what they must do
What is one of Resident’s most important rights
That their information is kept confidential by all team members
What is OBRA
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
Why was OBRA passed
In response to reports of poor care and abuse in long-term care facilities
What are the requirements of CNA certification
NAs must complete at least 75 hours of training that covers topics such as communication, preventing infections, safety and emergency procedures, and promoting residents’ independence and legal rights
What is psychological abuse
Emotional harm caused by threatening, scaring, humiliating, intimidating, isolating, or insulting a person, or treating an adult as a child
How should NAs act in terms of abuse
NAs must never abuse residents in any way, and they must also try to protect residents from others who abuse them
What is 1 sign of abuse and neglects that NAs must observe and report
Scalp tenderness or patches of missing hair
What is another one of resident’s rights
That an NA msut always explain a procedure to a resident before performing it
What is an ombudsman
In LTCs in the US, an ombudsman is assigned by law as the legal advocate for residents
What does respecting confidentiality mean for an NA
NAs should not share information about residents with anyone other than the care team
When did congress pass the HIPAA act
In 1996
What does HIPAA stand for
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What was one reason HIPAA was passed
To help keep health information private and secure
Why is it imporant for NAs to ask residents questions
To find out what is appropriate and to always respect resident’s choices, beliefs, and behaviors
Should an NA use medical terminology with residents or their families
No
How should the NA communicate when the resident tells them something
When the resident is finished, the NA should reestate the message in their own words to make sure they understood
How can an NA communicate caring
By softly patting a resident’s hands or shoulders or holding their hands
What is objective information
Based on what a person sees, hears, touches or smells
How is objective informaiton collected
Using the senses
What is another term for objective information
Signs
What is subjective information
Something a person cannot or did not observe (perhaps based on something that the resident reported that may or may not be true)
What is another word for subjective information
Symptoms
What are two signs or symptoms that an NA should reported immediately
Chest pain and/or high fever
What is 1 reason why careful documentation is so imporant
It is the only way to guarentee clear and complete communication among all members of the care team
When should an NA document care
Immediately after it is given
How should time be written in documentation
Using the 24-hour clock/military time
How should the position of objects be described to residents with vision impairment
Using the face of an imaginary clock
How should an NA speak when dealing with a resident exhibiting combative behavior
Remain calm and lower their voice
How should an NA respond to a resident exhibiting innapropriate behavior
If a resident is in any embarassing situation, the NA should remain professional. They shouldn’t overreact because it could reinforce the bad behavior
When do microorganisms appear
They are always present in the environment in almost everything a person touches
What are some standard precautions for handwashing
Wash hands before putting on gloves and again immediately after removing them
What are standard precautions for glove wearing
Wear gloves if you may come into contact with blood, body fluids or secretions, broken or open skin (e.g. abrasions, acne, cuts, stitches, or staples), or mucous membranes
Why are standard precautions used
They are used with every resident to promote safety
What is the most common way for healthcare-associated infections to be spread
Via the hands of healthcare workers
What are bloodborne pathogens
Microorganisms found in human blood (can also be in certain other body fluids, draining wounds, and mucous membranes) that cause infection and disease in humans
What is TB
A highly contagious airborne disease
How can TB be spread
When the infected person talks, coughs, breathes, sings, laughs, or sneezes
How can NAs help prevent the spread of MRSA
By practicing proper hygiene (handwashing with soap and warm water)
What does disorientation mean
Confusion about person, place, or time (oriented x3 means they know all, oriented x1 means they know who they are and nothing else, etc.)
What is the first guideline to prevent falls
Clear all walkways of clutter, trash, throw rugs, and cords
What must happen before residents can be given care or served food
They have to be identified
What can be done to guard against choking
Residents should eat in as upright a position as possible
Should NAs interact with a resident’s oxygen
Yes, they should stop, adjust, or administer oxygen
What is a main fire hazard
Any type of open flame near oxygen
What does OSHA require for chemicals
That all chemicals have a safety data sheet (SDS) or material safety data sheet (MSDS)
What is the safety data sheet/material safety data sheet
It details the chemical ingredients, chemical dangers, and safe handling, storage, and disposal procedures for the product
What can be considered enables or physical restraints and when
Raised side rails on beds and geriatric chairs with tray tables depending on the intended use and resident’s condition and abilities
What must happen if a restraint is needed
A doctor must order it
What must be done with a restrained resident
They must be monitored constantly and checked at least every 15 minutes
What is the base of support
The fondation that supports an object, for the body, the feet
What allows for more stability when standing
Wider support, standing with legs shoulder-width apart, and a lower center of gravity
What is the PASS acronym used for
Understanding how to use an extinguisher
What does PASS stand for
Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire when spraying, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire
What is the RACE acronym used for
In case of a fire
What does RACE stand for
Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate –> Remove anyone in danger if you’re not in danger, Alert by activating the fire alarm system/calling 911, Contain the fire by closing all doors and windows, and Extinguish the fire or evacuate
What are abdominal thrusts
A method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of somone who’s choking by removing the blockage upwards and out of the throat
What should be done if a person goes into shock
Alert nurses, control bleeding if needed, have resident lie on back, and lift legs 8-12 inches
When should legs not be elevated in response to shock
If the resident has a head, neck, back, spial, or abdominal injury, breathing difficulties, or fractures
How should an NA control bleedign
Alert the nurse, put on gloves, hold a thick sterile pad, clean cloth, or clean towel against the wound, and press down hard directly on the bleeding until help arrives
What is an insulin reaction
AKA hypoglycemia, resulting from too much insulin or too little food
What is an important step when responding to a seizure
Moving furniture away to prevent injury
What is an important sign of a transient ischemic attack
Slurred speach or inability to speak (expressive aphasia)
What is holistic care
Caring for the whole person, mind and body
What should an NA do if they encounter a sexual situation between two consenting adults
Provide privacy and leave the room
How should NAs respect resident’s spiritual needs
By listening carefully to what they have to say and respecting their decisions to participate in or refrain from food-related rituals
What is not a normal change of aging
Incontinence
What is one guideline for a resident with down syndrome
To teach them to perform ADLs by dividing a task into smaller units
What are some symptoms of autism spectrum disorder
Intense tantrums, repetitive body movements, aggression, a short attention span, and differences in reading and expressing emotions
What can be helpful for treating a resident with autism spectrum disorder
Keeping a routine
What does anterior or ventral mean
The front of the body or body part
What happens when atrophy occurs
The muscle wastes away, decreases in size, and becomes weak
What happens when a contracture develops
The muscle or tendon shortens, becomes inflexible, and “freezes” in position, causing permanent disability of the limb
What else does the nervous system do
Senses and interprets information from outside of the human body
How does the circulatory system work
The heart pumps blood through blood vessels to cells
What does blood carry
Food, oxygen, and other substances cells need to function properly
How can an NA help with urinary system issues in a resident
By encouraging fluids and offering frequent bathroom visits
What do the muscles of the esophagus do
Move food into the stomach through peristalsis (involuntary contractions)
What is lymph
A clear yellowish fluid that carries disease-fighting cells called lymphocytes
How often should bed-bound residents be repositioned
At least every 2 hours
How often should residents in wheelchairs or chairs be repositioned
At least every hour
What is supine position
The resident lies flat on their back with head and shoulders supported by a pillow
What should an NA do if the height of a cane or walker doesn’t appear to be correct
Inform the nurse
How should a resident properly use a cane
By placing it about six inches, or a comfortable distance, in front of their stronger leg
