CNA - Unit 2 Vocabulary

assessment

act of evaluating

assignment

specific list of duties; tells you which patients you will care for during your shift and the specific procedures to be performed

attitude

an external expression of inner feelings about oneself or others

burnout

loss of enthusiasm for and interest in an activity

career ladders

programs that provide an opportunity for upward mobility

delegation

the transfer of responsibility for the performance of a nursing activity from a nurse to someone who does not already have the authority

empathy

understanding how someone else feels

evidence-based practice

an approach that guides decision making by identifying evidence for a practice, then rating that practice according to the strength of the evidence

handoff communication

essential communication that must occur when patient care is transferred from one worker or department to another worker or department

interdisciplinary health care team

group of professionals from different health care disciplines who each contribute their expertise to the care of a single patient

interpersonal relationships

how people interact with each other

licensed practical nurse (LPN)

graduate of a certificate nursing program, who must pass a state exam before being permitted to practice nursing

licensed vocational nurse (LVN)

graduate of a certificate nursing program, who must pass a state exam before being permitted to practice nursing

Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP)

test taken by the nursing assistant which, when passed successfully, entitles the nursing assistant to certification

nurse practice act

state law that describes the nursing scope of practice and serves as a guide when facilities develop job descriptions

nursing assistant

person who provides personal care and assists with ADLs under nursing supervision

nursing team

members of the nursing staff who provide patient care

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)

A federal law that requires long-term care facilities to provide care that maintains or improves each resident's quality of life, health, and safety. It also requires the education and competency evaluation of nursing assistants in long-term care facilities

organizational chart

guide for communication; spells out lines of authority

partners in practice

a method of providing care in which a registered nurse works with a nursing assistant as a team

registered nurse (RN)

specially educated person who is licensed to plan and direct the nursing care of patients

scope of practice

extent or range of permissible activities

shift report

information about patients passed from outgoing shift to oncoming shift

teamwork

cooperating with others and working together for a common goal