CNA Long-Term Care: Chapter 2

The Nursing Assistant and the Care Team

Nursing Assistant (NA)

Performs assigned tasks, such as measuring vital signs, and provides or assists with personal care, such as bathing residents and helping with elimination needs.

Registered Nurse (RN)

In a long-term care facility, a they coordinated, manages, and provides skilled nursing care.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Administers medications and gives treatments. They are a licensed professional who has completed 1-2 years of education and has passed a national license examination.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

A registered nurse who has completed training at the postgraduate level (master’s/doctoral).

Physician or Doctor (MD or DO)

A licensed professional who diagnoses disease or disability and prescribes treatment and medication.

Physician Assistant (PA)

A licensed professional who diagnoses disease or disability and develops treatment plans, as well as prescribes medication. Works under the supervision of a doctor.

Physical Therapist (PT or DPT)

Evaluates a person and develops a treatment plan to increase movement, improve circulation, promote healing, reduce pain, prevent disability, and regain/maintain mobility.

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Helps residents learn to adapt to disabilities.

Assistive Devices

Special equipment that allows residents to perform ADLs.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

Identifies communication disorders, addresses factors involved in recovery goals.

Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN)

Assesses a resident’s nutritional status and develops a treatment plan to improve health and manage illness.

Medical Social Worker (MSW)

Determines residents’ needs and helps get them support services, such as counseling and financial services.

Activities Director

Plans activities for residents to help them socialize and stay physically and mentally active.

Charting

Noting and recording important information about the resident.

Professional

Having to do with work or a job.

Personal

Life outside of a job; family, friends, and home life.

Professionalism

Behaving properly when on the job.

Compassionate

Being caring, concerned, considerate, empathetic, and understanding.

Sympathy

Sharing in the feelings and difficulties of others.

Tactful

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

Conscientious

A trait of always trying your best.

Chain of Command

The line of authority and helps to make sure that residents get proper health care.

Liability

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

Scope of Practice

Defines the roles, responsibilities, and procedures that are within the knowledge, training, and legal definition of a profession.

Assessment

Getting information from many sources, including medical history, physical assessment, and environment, and reviewing this information; the purpose is to identify actual or potential problems.

Diagnosis

Identifying health problems after looking at all the resident’s needs.

Planning

Setting goals and creating a care plan in accordance with the resident’s preferences to meet the resident’s needs.

Implementation

Putting the care plan into action; giving care.

Evaluation

A careful examination to see if the goals were met or progress was achieved.

Delegation

Transferring responsibility to a person for a specific task.