CNA notes

Long-Term Care (LTC)

Care provided in facilities for individuals needing 24-hour skilled care.

Skilled Care

Medically necessary care given by skilled nurses or therapists, available 24 hours a day.

Terminal Illness

An illness that will eventually lead to death.

Diagnoses

Medical conditions determined by a doctor.

Home Health Care

Care provided in a person's home.

Assisted Living Facilities

Residences for individuals needing help with daily tasks but not 24-hour skilled care.

Acute Care

24-hour skilled care in hospitals for short-term, immediate care.

Subacute Care

Care for individuals needing less care than acute illness but more than chronic illness.

Outpatient Care

Short-term skilled care for individuals not requiring overnight hospital stay.

Rehabilitation

Care by specialists to restore or improve function after illness or injury.

Hospice Care

Care for individuals with about six months or less to live, focusing on comfort.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Daily personal care tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating.

Person-Centered Care

Emphasizes individuality and capabilities of the person needing care.

Trauma-Informed Care

Approach recognizing individuals may have experienced trauma.

Medicare

Federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 or older.

Medicaid

Medical assistance program for low-income individuals and those with disabilities.

Nursing Assistant (NA)

Performs nursing tasks, personal care, and promotes independence.

Charting

Noting and recording important resident information.

Chain of Command

Line of authority ensuring proper health care and protecting liability.

Scope of Practice

Tasks healthcare providers are legally allowed to do.

Care Plan

Individualized plan to achieve care goals for residents.

Informed Consent

Process of making informed decisions about health care with a doctor's help.

Residents' Rights

Specify how residents must be treated while living in a facility.

Abuse

Purposeful mistreatment causing physical, mental, or emotional pain or injury.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual advance or behavior creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Neglect

Failure to provide needed care resulting in harm, categorized as active neglect (purposeful) or passive neglect (unintentional).

Negligence

Actions or failure to act properly for a resident, leading to unintended injury.

Malpractice

Injury due to professional misconduct through negligence, carelessness, or lack of skill.

Substance Abuse

Repeated use of drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol harming oneself or others.

Ombudsman

Legal advocate for residents in long-term care facilities.

Confidentiality

Keeping private information private.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ensuring privacy and security of health information.

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Identifiable information related to a patient's health condition, care, and payment.

Minimum Data Set (MDS)

Detailed form for assessing residents and addressing identified problems.

Incident

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

Communication

Exchanging information through verbal or nonverbal means.

Verbal Communication

Using spoken or written words to convey messages.

Nonverbal Communication

Communicating without words.

Objective Information

Based on what is seen, heard, touched, or smelled.

Subjective Information

Based on resident-reported information that may not be observed directly.

Incontinence

Inability to control bladder or bowels.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious behaviors to release tension or cope with stress.

Body Mechanics

Coordination of body parts during movement.

Scalds

Burns caused by hot liquids.

Abrasion

Injury rubbing off the skin's surface.

OSHA

Federal agency setting rules to protect workers from job hazards.

Consciousness

Being mentally alert and aware of surroundings, sensations, and thoughts.

First Aid

Emergency care provided immediately to an injured person.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for when a person's heart or lungs stop working, administered until medical help arrives.