Weights and Measures, Vital Signs, Emergency Procedures, and Rehabilitative Nursing

Flashcards covering weights and measures, vital signs, emergency procedures, fall management, restraints, and rehabilitative nursing from the provided CNA course lecture notes.

What unit conversion equates kilograms to pounds in the metric system?

$$1\,\text{kilogram} = 2.2\,\text{pounds}$$

How many milliliters ($\text{mL}$) are equivalent to $1\,\text{ounce (oz)}$?

$$1\,\text{ounce} = 30\,\text{mL} = 30\,\text{cc}$$

Which thermometer site is considered the most accurate, but also the most invasive?

Rectal thermometer

Which temperature measurement site is preferable for residents with dementia or cognitive disabilities?

Axillary site (placed in the center and deepest fold of the axilla under the resident's arm)

What is the normal body temperature range for an adult?

$97.6-99.6\,^\circ\text{F}$ (depending on the measurement route)

What is the normal heart rate range for an adult?

$$60-100\,\text{beats per minute}$$

What is the normal respiration rate range for a healthy adult?

$$12-20\,\text{breaths per minute}$$

How long must a nursing assistant wait before taking an oral temperature if the resident has been eating, drinking, or chewing gum?

$$15-20\,\text{minutes}$$

Where is the radial pulse located?

In the natural groove of the wrist, on the thumb side

How is a radial pulse measured if it is regular versus irregular?

If regular, count the pulse for $30\,\text{seconds}$ and multiply by $2$; if irregular, count for $1\,\text{minute}$ ($60\,\text{seconds}$).

Which pulse site is used during CPR and other emergency situations?

Carotid pulse

Define systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts; diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries between contractions when the heart is at rest.

What are the systolic and diastolic thresholds for Stage 1 and Stage 2 hypertension?

Stage 1 hypertension is a systolic BP of $130-139\,\text{mmHg}$ or a diastolic BP of $80-89\,\text{mmHg}$; Stage 2 hypertension is higher than $140/90\,\text{mmHg}$.

What blood pressure reading defines hypotension?

A blood pressure lower than $90/60\,\text{mmHg}$ (systolic pressure below $90\,\text{mmHg}$ or diastolic pressure below $60\,\text{mmHg}$).

On which arm should blood pressure NOT be taken?

On the same side as a mastectomy or an IV.

What is the key difference between signs and symptoms of distress?

Signs are objective observations (e.g., excessive bleeding, abnormal vital signs, nonresponsiveness), whereas symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the resident (e.g., nausea, chest pain, difficulty breathing).

What action should a nursing assistant take if a resident has a partial (mild) foreign body airway obstruction?

Do not interfere with the resident's attempts to clear the airway; encourage them to cough, monitor for complete obstruction, and remain close to the resident.

What intervention should be performed for a complete airway obstruction in a resident who is pregnant or obese?

Perform chest thrusts over the sternum instead of abdominal thrusts.

What is syncope and what immediate care should be provided if a resident faints?

Syncope is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness due to decreased oxygen in the brain. If a resident faints, assist them to a safe position, activate EMS, have the nurse assess the resident promptly, and follow directives.

What defines status epilepticus?

A life-threatening seizure that lasts longer than $5\,\text{minutes}$, requiring immediate emergency medical attention.

What are the responsibilities of a nursing assistant DURING a resident's seizure?

Activate EMS immediately if the seizure lasts more than $2\,\text{minutes}$, note start and end times, assist to a safe place, remove striking objects, place in recovery position if vomiting occurs, do NOT place anything in the mouth, and do NOT restrain the resident.

What is the FIRST thing a nursing assistant should do when helping a resident with an arterial hemorrhage?

Don gloves and any required PPE.

How should a nosebleed be treated?

Don gloves and gather absorbent materials, have the resident lean forward, pinch nostrils, and breathe through the nose for $10-15\,\text{minutes}$ until bleeding stops.

What are the three main types of shock and their underlying causes?

Cardiogenic shock (heart cannot pump blood effectively, e.g., myocardial infarction), Anaphylactic shock (uncontrolled blood vessel dilation, e.g., allergic reaction), and Hypovolemic shock (extreme blood loss, e.g., gunshot wound or motor vehicle accident).

What is the FIRST thing you should do when caring for a resident who is severely burned?

Ensure the area/scene is safe before approaching the resident.

How do superficial, partial-thickness, and full-thickness burns differ?

Superficial involves the epidermis (reddened, swollen, sensitive); partial-thickness involves epidermis and dermis (reddened, swollen, blistered, painful); full-thickness involves epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and potentially deep muscle/tendons (may not hurt initially due to nerve damage).

What technique should be used when assisting a resident during a fall?

Do not attempt to keep the resident upright; grab the gait belt with both hands using an underhand grasp, assist the resident to the ground, protect their head, lay them on the floor, and call for help.

What guidelines must be followed when a resident is placed in restraints?

Check the resident every $15\,\text{minutes}$, release restraints every $2\,\text{hours}$ (using a quick-release knot secured to the bed frame), check skin and circulation, and meet their physical and emotional needs.

Differentiate between the primary focus of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

Physical Therapy focuses on gross motor skills (walking, climbing stairs, fall prevention), whereas Occupational Therapy focuses on fine motor skills and retraining for ADLs/IADLs (bathing, dressing, washing clothes, cooking).

On which side should a cane be placed when ambulating a resident?

Place the cane in the resident's strong or unaffected hand, while standing on the resident's affected side.

Define Flexion, Extension, Abduction, and Adduction in range-of-motion exercises.

Flexion is decreasing the angle of the joint; Extension is increasing the angle of the joint; Abduction is moving away from the midline of the body; Adduction is moving toward the midline of the body.

Identify the main arterial pulse sites on the human body shown in this diagram.

The anatomical pulse sites include: temporal pulse, carotid pulse, apical pulse, brachial pulse, radial pulse, femoral pulse, popliteal pulse, posterior tibial pulse, and pedal pulse (dorsalis pedis).

Identify the key components of a stethoscope shown in this diagram.

The parts of a stethoscope are the ear-pieces, binaurals, rubber or plastic tubing, chest-piece, bell, and diaphragm.

Identify the key components of an aneroid sphygmomanometer shown in this diagram.

The parts of an aneroid sphygmomanometer are the cuff, manometer, inflation bulb, air-release valve, and tube to manometer.

Identify the joint movements illustrated in this range-of-motion diagram.

The joint movements include abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, hyperextension, rotation (outward and inward), eversion, inversion, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion.