The Nursing Assistant in Long-Term Care Fundamentals

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the role of the Nursing Assistant, healthcare settings, resident rights, legal terms, and ethics derived from 'The Nursing Assistant in Long-Term Care' lecture notes.

Long-term care (LTC)

Care given in long-term care facilities for people who need $24$-hour skilled care.

Skilled care

Medically necessary care given by a skilled nurse or therapist that is available $24$ hours a day.

Chronic conditions

Conditions that last a long period of time, even a lifetime, such as physical disabilities, heart disease, and dementia.

Residents

A term used to refer to people who live in long-term care facilities because the facility is where they reside or live.

Assisted living facilities

Residences for people who need some help with daily tasks but do not need $24$-hour skilled care.

Adult day services

Care for people who need some help and supervision during certain hours but do not live in the facility where care is provided.

Acute care

$24$-hour skilled care given in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers for short-term, immediate care for illnesses or injuries.

Subacute care

Care given in hospitals or long-term care facilities for people who need less care than for an acute illness but more care than for a chronic illness.

Hospice care

Care given in facilities or homes for people who have about $6$ months or less to live.

Activities of daily living (ADLs)

Daily personal care tasks including bathing; skin, nail, and hair care; mouth care; and assistance with walking, eating, drinking, dressing, transferring, and elimination.

Culture change

A process of transforming services for elders so that they are based on the values and practices of the person receiving care.

Person-centered care

Care that emphasizes the individuality of the person who needs care and revolves around the resident's preferences, choices, dignity, and interests.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program established in $1965$ for people aged $65$ or older and people with permanent kidney failure or certain disabilities.

Medicaid

A medical assistance program for people who have a low income or disabilities, funded by both the federal government and each state.

Nursing Assistant (NA)

A healthcare team member who performs assigned nursing tasks, provides personal care, and acts as the 'eyes and ears' of the team by observing and reporting changes.

Registered Nurse (RN)

In long-term care, a licensed professional who coordinates, manages, and provides skilled nursing care while supervising daily care by nursing assistants.

Physical Therapist (PT or DPT)

A professional who evaluates a person and develops a treatment plan to increase movement, promote healing, reduce pain, and maintain mobility.

Chain of command

The line of authority that helps ensure residents get proper health care and protects employees and employers from liability.

Liability

A legal term meaning that someone can be held responsible for harming someone else.

Scope of practice

The tasks that healthcare providers are legally allowed to do as permitted by state or federal law.

Policy

A course of action that should be taken every time a certain situation occurs.

Procedure

A method or way of doing something, explaining steps like which form to complete and how often.

Empathy

Identifying with the feelings of others.

Tactful

Showing sensitivity and having a sense of what is appropriate when dealing with others.

Ethics

The knowledge of right and wrong, guiding a person to do what is right and feel a sense of duty.

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)

A $1987$ law that sets minimum standards for care and standardized training of nursing assistants through the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP).

Informed consent

The process by which a person, with the help of a doctor, makes informed decisions about his or her health care.

Ombudsman

A legal advocate for residents assigned by law to visit facilities, listen to residents, and help resolve conflicts concerning resident rights and welfare.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

A $1996$ law passed to help keep health information private and secure.

Protected health information (PHI)

Information that can be used to identify a person and relates to the patient's condition, health care provided, and payment.

Minimum Data Set (MDS)

A detailed assessment form with guidelines for assessing residents, which must be completed by a nurse within $14$ days of admission.

Incident

An accident, problem, or unexpected event during the course of care that is not part of the normal routine.

Assault

A threat to harm a person, resulting in the person feeling fearful that he or she will be harmed.

Battery

The intentional touching of a person without his or her consent, such as hitting or forcing a resident to eat.

False imprisonment

Unlawful restraint that affects a person's freedom of movement, including the threat of being physically restrained.

Negligence

Actions, or the failure to act or provide proper care, resulting in unintended injury to a resident.

Malpractice

Injury occurring when a person is harmed due to professional misconduct through negligence, carelessness, or lack of skill.