CNA Abbreviations, Laws, and Medical Terminology

LTC

long-term care

TLC

tender loving care

CNA

certified nurse assistant

NA

nurse assistant

SNA

student nurse assistant

RN

registered nurse

DON

director of nurses

LVN

licensed vocational nurse

DHS

department of health services

Dr.

Doctor

Pt.

patient

ADLs

activities of daily living

SNF

skilled nursing facility

WIPED

wash hands; identify pt. + introduce; privacy; explain procedure; drape

CLEAN

call light is near pt.; lower bed; equipment; alert pt. that you are leaving; notice to check previous steps

CR

classroom

WPL

workplace learning

CEU’s

continuing education units (48 hours)

cc

cubic centimeters

mL

milliliters

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987

NATCEP

Nurse Assistant Training and Competency Evaluation Program

APRN

advanced practice registered nurse

* federal and state law
* sets up our nursing programs
* established and enforces pt. rights

OBRA

state article in OBRA for pt. rights

Title 22

federal article in OBRA for pt. rights

Title 42

* state and federal law regarding safety of employees (anyone who has a job)
* works hand-in-hand with OBRA
* set up the gowns, gloves, and mask mandates for doctors

OSHA

OSHA

occupational safety and health administration

* state and local (there is one in every county)
* call a 1-800 # in the hospital
* promotes pt. rights and investigates/resolves issues between pt. and agencies

ombudsman

HOH

hard of hearing

P.T.

physical therapy

O.T.

occupational therapy

S.T.

speech therapy

aphasia

without speech; slurred speech

dysphagia

painful swallowing

“a” prefix

without

“dys” prefix

pain/discomfort

VS

vital signs

TPR

temperature, pulse, respiration

BP

blood pressure

RNA

restorative nurse assistant (works in rehabilitation)

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability act of 1996

Maslow’s Pyramid of Human Needs

Self-Actualization, Self-Esteem, Love, Safety and Security, and Physical Needs

Physical Needs

* finding an extra blanket at night
* stopping to give an extra glass of water

Safety and Security

* wearing a gait belt when help pt. walk
* washing hands before touching pt.

Love

* holding my hand or hugging me
* caring for me when i hurt
* thinking about what i may need or want

Self-Esteem

* asking my opinion
* never making fun of me
* listening to me

Self-Actualization

* winning a game
* original paintings
* pride in rehabilitation

Cranial Cavity

brains, eyes, etc.

Thoracic

heart and lungs

Upper Extremities

arms, chest, hands

Abdomen (Abd.)

navel, stomach, large and small intenstine

Abd.

abdomen

Pelvic

inside abd., bladder, female reproductive organs

Perineal/Genitalia

genitals or vaginal area of a pt.

Lower Extremities

legs, feet, ankles

types of hospitals are (6):

acute, sub-acute, mental, childrens, veterans, hospice

Dx

diagnosis

Tx

treatment

Hx

history

Fx or Frx

fracture

Prog.

prognosis

amb

ambulate

ambulate

to walk

gait

walk

cast

keeps bones in alignment to allow broken bones to fuse back together

abrasions

scraped areas of skin

clammy

cool and moist skin

cyanotic

blue color of the skin, lips, and nails

edema

fluid in tissues (causes swelling)

fatigue

tired

flushed

red color of skin

incoherent

unaware of 1) person, 2) place, 3) time, 4) event

jaundice

yellow color of skin

lesions

sores on skin

lethargic

sleepy and lacks energy

oriented

alert to 1) person, 2) place, 3) time, 4) event

pallor

white color of skin

syncope

fainting

vertigo

dizziness

coma

deep sleep; unawareness of person, place, time, event

M.T.

military time

DNR

do not resuscitate

BR

bed rest

BRP

bathroom privileges

STAT

immediately

AM

morning

PM

afternoon

ac

before meals

pc

after meals

O2

oxygen

W/C

wheelchair

hr

hour

q (with a line over it)

every

qh (line over q)

every hour

hs

hour of sleep

IV

intravenous

noc

nocturnal/night

neg

negative