Key Word Flashcards
What is the accreditation process?
Process of certifying that a facility meets certain quality and performance standards.
Accreditation is vital for ensuring the quality of care in healthcare facilities.
Who is the Activities Director/coordinator?
Staff member who plans and directs activities for residents.
This role is essential for enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Define ‘Activities of daily living’.
Tasks that are required for daily living, such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, and eating.
These activities are crucial for maintaining personal independence.
What is the role of the Administrator?
General manager of a facility.
The Administrator oversees all operations within the facility.
What does the Admissions Director/coordinator do?
Staff member who coordinates the process of admitting new residents.
This role is critical for ensuring a smooth transition for new residents.
What is an Alzheimer’s unit?
Unit that provides care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Specialized care is necessary for managing the unique challenges of dementia.
What does ‘Assignment’ refer to in a healthcare setting?
A specific set of tasks an employee is expected to perform.
Clear assignments ensure accountability and effective care delivery.
Who is the Assistant Director of Nursing?
Senior nursing professional who reports to the Director of Nursing.
This role may involve oversight of nursing staff and care standards.
Define ‘Assisted living facilities’.
Residential facilities that provide a limited amount of assistance with daily activities.
They cater to individuals who need some help but are largely independent.
What is the role of the Attending Physician?
Directs and provides the primary care of individual residents.
The Attending Physician is responsible for the overall medical management of patients.
What does ‘Autonomy’ mean in healthcare?
Ability to act independently and make decisions for oneself.
Promoting autonomy is essential for patient dignity and self-determination.
What are Biologicals?
Medical products made from living organisms such as vaccines and blood components.
These products play a vital role in treatment and prevention of diseases.
What is a Care Plan?
Written document created after the resident assessment that outlines the goals of care, nursing interventions, and timeframe for accomplishment and evaluation.
Care plans are essential for personalized care delivery.
What does the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services do?
Part of the US Department of Health and Human Services responsible for administering federal programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.
These programs are crucial for healthcare accessibility.
What is the role of a Charge Nurse?
Nursing professional with day-to-day responsibility for supervising resident care.
Charge Nurses are key in maintaining care quality and staff coordination.
What is the Code of Federal Regulations?
Set of rules published in the federal register by the departments and agencies of the US government.
This code provides legal standards for healthcare practices.
What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
Facility that provides several tiers of care: independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.
These communities allow residents to age in place with varying levels of support.
Define ‘Delegate’ in a healthcare context.
To give or trust someone with a task or job.
Effective delegation is crucial for efficient team functioning.
What is the role of the Director of Nursing?
Senior nursing professional who directs the approach for care and determines staffing requirements.
This position is vital for ensuring quality nursing care.
What does the Director of Staff Development do?
Staff member who develops and oversees nursing education programs.
Ongoing education is essential for maintaining high care standards.
What is Gerontology?
Scientific field focused on the study of aging.
Understanding aging processes is key for improving elder care.
What is Hospice Care?
Care for terminally ill patients that aims to provide comfort and alleviate pain.
This type of care focuses on quality of life rather than curative treatment.
What is In-service Education?
Educational programs provided for employees while on the job.
In-service training helps staff stay updated on best practices.
What is an Interdisciplinary Team?
Staff members from various departments who work together to plan and implement care.
Collaborative care improves patient outcomes.
Define ‘Intermediate Care Facility’.
Facility that provides care for people with intellectual disabilities and works to promote their functional status and independence.
These facilities play a key role in supporting individuals with disabilities.
What does the Joint Commission do?
Nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies US healthcare facilities and programs.
Accreditation by the Joint Commission is a mark of quality care.
What is ‘Level of Care’?
Classification based on the intensity of medical and nursing services provided in a healthcare setting.
Understanding levels of care is crucial for appropriate patient placement.
What is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
Health professional who provides basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
LPNs are essential members of the nursing team.
What does a Licensed Social Worker do?
Licensed professional who usually has a master’s degree in social work and counsels residents and families.
Social workers play a vital role in mental health and emotional support.
What is a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?
Health professional who provides basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.
LVNs perform similar functions as LPNs in different regions.
Define ‘Long-term Care’.
Range of medical and non-medical services provided for people who have a chronic illness, disability, or cognitive impairment that affects their ability to perform everyday tasks.
Long-term care is essential for maintaining quality of life for many individuals.
What is Managed Care?
Type of health insurance coverage that monitors quality of care and is designed to contain costs.
Managed care organizations aim to improve healthcare efficiency.
What does an MDS Coordinator do?
Staff member who assesses residents’ functional capabilities and determines the appropriate level of care, also called a nurse assessment coordinator.
This role is crucial for individualized care planning.
What is Medicaid?
Joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income individuals and families.
Medicaid provides essential healthcare coverage for vulnerable populations.
What is Medicare?
Federal health insurance program for individuals age 65 and older and certain people with disabilities.
Medicare is a key component of healthcare for seniors.
What does NPO stand for?
Abbreviation for ‘nil per os’, Latin for ‘nothing by mouth’, used to designate a period of time during which a person cannot eat or drink before surgery or some other type of medical procedure.
NPO status is critical for patient safety prior to surgical procedures.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Works with the interdisciplinary team to direct and provide primary care for residents.
Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses with a significant role in patient care.
What is considered Nursing Staff?
Trained members of the nursing team, including LPNs, LVNs, RNs, and NAs.
Nursing staff are essential for delivering quality patient care.
What is Nutrition in healthcare?
Nourishment for the body provided by food and drink.
Proper nutrition is vital for patient recovery and overall health.
What does OSHA stand for?
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
OSHA is responsible for ensuring safe working conditions.
What does an Occupational Therapist do?
Licensed health professional who works with residents to improve their ability to perform everyday tasks.
Occupational therapy is essential for rehabilitation.
What is a Pediatric Unit?
Unit that provides care to children, teens, and young adults up to age 21.
Specialized pediatric care is crucial for the unique needs of younger patients.
What does a Physical Therapist do?
Licensed health professional who uses methods that include exercise, heat, massage, mobilization, and manipulation to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Physical therapy is key for rehabilitation and recovery.
What is a Postacute Care Unit?
Unit that provides a high level of care for residents, may include rehab services.
Postacute care is vital for recovery after hospitalization.
What are Postoperative Orders?
Physician orders prior to surgery.
These orders are crucial for ensuring patient safety and proper care.
What does a Registered Dietitian do?
Staff member who develops food plans and special diets for residents.
Nutrition plays a significant role in health and recovery.
What is a Registered Nurse (RN)?
Health professional who provides an advanced level of nursing care and may supervise other nursing staff.
RNs are pivotal in patient care and health management.
What is a Rehabilitation Unit?
Unit that provides specialized care designed to help residents return to a previous level of physical functioning after an illness or injury.
Rehabilitation units focus on recovery and functional improvement.
Who is considered a Resident?
Person admitted to a long-term care facility.
Residents are the focus of care in such facilities.
What is Respite Care?
Care provided for residents to enter a facility for a temporary stay until the regular caregivers become available.
Respite care provides necessary relief for primary caregivers.
What is Restorative Nursing?
Nursing care designed to promote a resident’s ability to achieve the highest level of function and to live as independently as possible.
This approach emphasizes rehabilitation and independence.
What does ‘Shift’ refer to in a work environment?
Scheduled period of work for a group of employees, such as day, evening, and night shifts.
Shift scheduling is important for continuous care.
What is Skilled Nursing Care?
Care for residents meeting post-acute care needs from both nursing and rehab services, performed by or under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
Skilled nursing care is essential for complex medical needs.
What does a Speech Language Pathologist do?
Highly trained professional who works with residents who have speech, language, or other communication problems.
They are crucial for improving communication abilities.
What is the role of a Spiritual Counselor?
Staff member who coordinates religious services and provides counseling for residents and families.
Spiritual support is important for holistic care.
What are Terminal Conditions?
Illnesses from which a patient is not expected to recover, likely to occur within a short period of time.
Understanding terminal conditions is key for end-of-life care.
Define ‘Time Management’ in a healthcare setting.
The ability to plan and prioritize tasks and perform activities efficiently to make the best use of available time.
Effective time management is essential for high-quality patient care.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury Unit?
Unit that specializes in rehabilitative care for residents with traumatic head injuries.
Specialized care is crucial for recovery from brain injuries.
What is accommodation?
Resolving conflict by giving into the wishes of another person.
What is aggression?
Hostile, threatening, or violent behavior towards others.
What is aphasia?
A communication disorder that results from damage to parts of the brain responsible for language, affecting the ability to speak, understand speech, and read or write.
What is avoidance?
Staying away from a personal issue instead of dealing with a conflict.
What is awareness?
Consciousness of one’s environment.
What is body language?
Nonverbal communication that includes posture, gestures, and facial expressions.
What is clarity?
Clearness of communication.
What is collaboration?
Working together to accomplish a task or resolve a conflict.
What is communication?
Sending and receiving messages verbally, nonverbally, and in writing or through symbols.
What is a communication board?
A device used for those who have difficulty communicating verbally, customized with signs, symbols, or pictures to help the resident communicate their needs.
What is compassion?
Sympathetic understanding of another person’s suffering or situation, coupled with a sincere desire to help.
What is competition?
Calendar contests in which there is a winner and loser.
What is compromise?
Resolving conflict by both parties agreeing to something less or different than they originally wanted to achieve a peaceful resolution.
What is conflict resolution?
The process for settling a dispute or disagreement.
What is context?
The entire situation, background, or environment that provides meaning to a person’s words.
What is culture?
The collective customs, attitudes, and beliefs of a particular group of people, which may relate to ethnic or religious background, and/or social groups.
What is customer service?
The actions involved in serving a customer’s needs.
What are customs?
Traditional practices of a particular group of people.
What is defensiveness?
Being overly sensitive to perceived criticism from others.
What is denial?
Avoiding an issue or problem instead of dealing with it directly.
What is dignity?
A sense of pride and self-respect, being worthy of honor and respect.
What is empathy?
The ability to understand and share the feelings or perspective of another person.
What is expressive aphasia?
A communication disorder that involves difficulty communicating, but the person can usually comprehend what is being said to them.
What is an external customer?
Residents, families, and customers who are outside of the long-term care facility.
What is an internal customer?
Customers who are part of the same organization, including supervisors and coworkers.
What does it mean to be mentally competent?
Capable of rational decision-making and being responsible for one’s actions.
What is nonverbal communication?
Sending and receiving messages without using words.
What is an open-ended question?
A question that requires a more complex answer than a simple yes or no.
What is physical abuse?
Any action that causes physical harm.
What is reflection?
Restating in your own words what another person has said to ensure understanding of the speaker’s meanings and feelings.
What is a service mentality?
Dedication to making sure the customer’s needs are satisfied.
What is verbal abuse?
Using profanity or other words that attack, insult, threaten, or humiliate another person.
What is verbal communication?
Sending and receiving messages using spoken or written words.
What is visual communication?
Using symbols, such as traffic lights, road signs, memes, and emojis.
What does ‘psychosocial’ refer to?
It relates to the psychological and social aspects of mental health.
What is resident-centered care?
It focuses on the residence, individual preferences, and needs, with the resident being an active participant in their care.
What are themes of care?
They are core principles that form the basis for all care provided to residents.
What is abuse?
Cruel or inhuman treatment that causes physical and/or psychological harm, including threats made to a person.
What is an advocate?
Someone who takes the side of another person and speaks for them.
What is an alligation?
A person’s statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal.
What are chemical restraints?
Medication used to sedate a resident, slow muscle activity, or change their behavior.
What is corporal punishment?
Physical punishment, such as spanking or slapping.
What is discrimination?
Unfair, unjust treatment of people or groups of people.
What is involuntary seclusion?
The isolation of a resident against their will, such as locking them alone in a room.
What is mental abuse?
Any action that makes a resident fearful, such as threatening them with harm.
What is misappropriation of resident property?
Includes misplacing a resident’s belongings or money, or using them without permission.
What is neglect?
Failure to provide proper care.
What is negligence?
Failure to act in the same way that a reasonable person with the same training would act in the same situation.
What is an ombudsman?
An official or designated person who investigates and resolves complaints, advocating for resident rights.
What is physical abuse?
Any action that causes actual physical harm.
What are physical restraints?
Any device that limits a resident’s movements or access to their body.
What is retaliation?
The act of getting revenge or punishing a person for doing something.
What is self-determination?
Freedom to make your own choices and choose your own activities.
What is sexual abuse?
Any sexual act where the resident does not, or cannot, give consent.
What is verbal abuse?
Includes using profanity, calling resident names, yelling, making threats, or teasing in an unkind manner.
Who is a vulnerable resident?
Someone in need of special care, support, or protection due to age, disability, or risk of abuse or neglect.
What are airborne precautions?
Measures taken to prevent the airborne transmission of pathogens.
What is airborne transmission?
Infection spread by microorganisms contained in particles or droplets suspended in air.
What is an antibiotic?
A drug that inhibits the growth of or kills certain microorganisms.
What is asepsis?
The absence of bacteria.
What is aspiration?
When fluid or foreign material is inhaled into the lungs.
What are bacteria?
Single-celled microorganisms; some are beneficial, while others may cause infection. (singular=bacterium)
What is biohazardous waste?
Toys containing blood or other potentially infectious substances, including needles, blades, and other sharps.
What is the chain of infection?
The process by which infection spreads.
What is cleaning?
Removing soil from a surface or object.
What does comatose mean?
Describes a person who is in a coma.
What are contact precautions?
Measures taken to prevent the spread of infection caused by microorganisms transmitted by direct or indirect contact.
What does contraindicated mean?
When a condition is present that provides a reason for not recommending a medical treatment.
What is diarrhea?
Feces passed frequently and in liquid form; loose stool.
What is direct transmission?
Spread of infection from one person to another or when infected blood or body fluids come in direct contact with broken skin or mucous membranes.
What is disinfection?
Process that kills or inhibits the growth of virtually all microorganisms on objects and surfaces.
What are droplet precautions?
Measures taken to prevent the spread of infection caused by microorganisms transmitted by droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, talking, or performing procedures.
What is droplet spread?
Infected oral-nasal secretions transmitted via the eyes, nose, or mouth of another person, most commonly through coughing, sneezing, or talking.
What is emesis?
The action of vomiting.
What is exposure?
Being in the vicinity of or in contact with an infectious microorganism.
What is a fungus?
A type of microorganism that can cause infection; examples include yeast or mold. (plural=fungi)
What is a healthcare-associated infection?
Infection contracted while in an inpatient, outpatient, or residential healthcare facility.
What is immunization?
Administration of a vaccine to prevent a specific infectious disease.
What is indirect transmission?
Infection spread when a microorganism is transferred from one person to another via a vehicle (inanimate object) or a vector (living host such as a tick or mosquito).
What is an infection?
Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that are not normally present in the body; may or may not produce symptoms.
What are isolation precautions?
Measures taken to prevent the spread of infection from an infected resident to other people.
What is medical asepsis?
Reduces the number of microorganisms; also known as clean technique.
What are microorganisms?
Organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye; some are capable of causing infection.
What is the mode of transmission?
The means by which microorganisms are transferred from one carrier to another.
What is a multi-drug-resistant organism?
Describes microorganisms that have evolved in a way that makes them resistant to the action of antibiotics.
What is natural flora?
Microorganisms that are always present and usually do not cause disease.
What is non-pathogenic?
Microorganisms that do not cause infection.
What is an outbreak?
Sudden increase in cases of a disease within a certain geographic area.
What is a parasite?
An organism that lives in or on another organism.
What is a pathogen?
Microorganism or substance that can produce disease.
What is perineal care?
Cleaning or care of the area between the anus and external genitals.
What is personal care?
Care provided for residents that includes bathing, mouth care, hair care, grooming, and dressing.
What is personal protective equipment?
Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards like serious workplace injuries or illnesses.
What is a podiatrist?
Physician specializing in the care and treatment of the feet.
What is a portal of entry?
The opening by which microorganisms enter the host.
What is a portal of exit?
The place where microorganisms leave the reservoir.
What is a reservoir?
The place where microorganisms reside and reproduce.
What is routine care?
Daily care tasks.
What is a safety data sheet?
Sheet containing information about products and chemicals, including guidelines for safe handling and emergency response.
What is sanitation?
Promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintaining clean conditions.
What are secretions?
Substances produced by the body, such as saliva, mucus, perspiration, and tears.
What are standard precautions?
The minimum infection prevention measures that apply to all patient care in any healthcare setting.
What is sterilization?
Process that completely eliminates all microorganisms from a surface or object.
What is surgical asepsis?
Known as sterile technique; eliminates all microorganisms.
What is a susceptible host?
Person, animal, or organism at risk of developing an infectious disease.
What is therapeutic?
Providing benefit as a treatment used for diseases and disorders.
What is a vector?
Living agent that transmits infection, such as a tick or mosquito.
What is a vehicle?
Inanimate object that transmits infection, such as a drinking glass or doorknob.
What is a virus?
Microorganisms that can only grow and reproduce when inside a host living cell.
What is vomiting?
Also known as emesis; when stomach contents exit through the mouth.
