CNA key terminologies

Abuse

Intentional harm or mistreatment of a patient or resident, including physical, emotional,

sexual, and financial abuse

Advance Directive

A legal document that specifies a person's wishes regarding medical treatment if

they become unable to communicate or make decisions

Aiding and Abetting

Assisting in committing a crime or wrongful act

Defamation of Character

False statements harming someone's reputation.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) / No Code

Order to not perform CPR

Ethical Standard

Principles guiding professional behavior

False Imprisonment

Unlawfully restricting someone's movement.

Libel

Written defamation

Psychological Abuse

Actions causing mental or emotional harm

Resident Council

Group addressing issues in long-term care

Slander

Spoken defamation

Social Services

Support for social, emotional, and financial needs

Theft

Taking property without permission

Aphasia

A condition characterized by the inability to comprehend or formulate language due to damage to specific brain regions.

Conversion

A psychological condition where emotional distress is expressed as physical symptoms

Displacement

A defense mechanism where negative feelings are transferred from the source to a safer, substitute target

Dyslexia

A learning disorder characterized by difficulties with reading, spelling, and writing.

Dysphasia

Partial or complete impairment of the ability to communicate resulting from brain injury

Projection

A defense mechanism where a person attributes their unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else

Rationalization

A defense mechanism where controversial behaviors or feelings are justified and explained in a seemingly rational manner.

Repression

A defense mechanism where distressing thoughts and feelings are pushed out of conscious awareness

V/S

Vital signs

Baseline

The normal state of being for each specific patient. Baseline measurements are the initial set of data that are used for comparison with subsequent measurements to track changes in a patient's condition

Sublimation

A defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses are transformed into socially acceptable actions or behaviors.

Circulation, Sensation, & Movement (CSM)

Refers to the assessment of blood flow, nerve function, and movement in a limb

Joint Commission (JCO)

an independent, non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

is a federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Documents providing information on the safe handling and potential hazards of chemicals.

Ambulate

walk or move around

Gait Belt

belt used to assist with transfers and walking

Hoyer lift

Mechanical lift for transferring patients.

Lateral position

Lying on the side

Logroll

Turning the patient into a single unit

Prone position

Lying on the abdomen

Sim’s position

Left side-lying position

Supine position

Lying on the back

Trendelenburg position

body tilted with head lower than feet

Low Fowler’s position

Head of the bed elevated to 15-30 degrees.

Semi-Fowler’s position

Head of the bed elevated to 30-45 degrees

Fowlers position (standard)

Semi-sitting position with the head of the bed elevated to 45-60 degrees.

High Fowler’s position

Asepsis

The absence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to prevent infection

A

a prefix meaning "not" or "without.“

Sepsis

Derived from the Greek word "sēpsis," which means "putrefaction" or "decay caused

by bacteria”

Flora

The bacteria and other microorganisms that normally reside in a specific environment

Health Care associated infection (HAI)

Infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions within a healthcare setting

S/S

signs and symptoms

Abrasion

A wound caused by superficial damage to the skin

Aspiration

Inhalation of food, liquid, or other material into the respiratory tract

Axilla

the medical term for the armpit

Catheter

A tube inserted into the body to remove or deliver fluids

Colostomy

A surgical procedure that creates an opening from the colon to the surface of the body to divert waste

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen.

Decubitus ulcer

Also known as a pressure sore, caused by prolonged pressure on the skin

Defacation

The discharge of feces from the body.

Dermis

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin.

Erythema

Redness of the skin.

Eschar

Dead tissue that falls off from healthy skin

Excoriation

Skin picking or scratching

Flatulence

Accumulation of gas in the alimentary canal

Hour of sleep (h.s.)

The time when a patient goes to bed.

Ileostomy

A surgical opening created in the ileum to divert waste.

Jejunostomy

A surgical opening created in the jejunum.

Neuropathy

Damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves.

Osteomyelitis

Infection of the bone

Ostomy

A surgical opening created for the discharge of body wastes.

Perineum/Perineal

The area between the anus and the genitals

Pressure sore

Injury to the skin and underlying tissue due to prolonged pressure.

Stoma

An opening on the surface of the body created surgically.

Advance directive

A legal document specifying a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment if they

are unable to communicate

Aphasia

The inability to speak or understand language due to brain damage

Aspirate

To inhale food, liquid, or a foreign object into the airway.

Bradypnea

Abnormally slow breathing rate

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen.

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

An order to not perform CPR.

Dyspnea:

Difficult or labored breathing.

Hemiplegia

Paralysis of one side of the body

Hemorrhage

Excessive bleeding

Hyperventilation

Breathing at an abnormally rapid rate

Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar

Hypoventilation

Slow and shallow breathing

Stat

Immediately, without delay.

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing rate

Active-assistive range of motion

Movement of a joint by the patient with some help

Active range of motion

Movement of a joint performed by the patient without assistance

Activities of daily living (ADL)

Daily self-care activities like eating, dressing, and bathing

Afebrile

Absence of fever

Celsius

Metric unit for measuring temperature.

Fahrenheit

Imperial unit for measuring temperature

Febrile

Having or showing symptoms of a fever

Mucosa

Membrane lining body passages and cavities

Pyrexia

Medical term for fever.

Tympanic

Pertaining to the eardrum, used for temperature measurement

Assessment Reference Day (ARD)

The last day of the observation period used for completing the MDS

Incident report

A document detailing an unusual event, such as an injury to a patient

Kardex

A quick reference chart for patient care information not part of the permanent record.

Minimum Data Set (MDS)

A standardized assessment tool for assessing a resident's functional capabilities.

Root word

The base part of a word