CNA Chapter 7: Basic Nursing Skills

_________ is often the first time a nursing assistant (NA) meets a new resident.

Admission

The NA should try to make sure the resident has a positive __________ of her and her facility.

impression

The NA should prepare the ____ before the resident arrives.

room

The NA should ask _________ to find out a resident's personal preferences and ________.

preferences, routines

The NA should _________ herself to the resident and state her position.

introduce

The NA should always call a resident by her ______ name until she tells the NA what she prefers to be called.

formal

The NA should try to make sure the new resident feels welcome and wanted. The NA should not ____ the process or the new resident.

rush

The NA can help the resident by explaining daily life in the facility and offering to take the resident on a ____.

tour

New residents must be given a copy of their legal ______.

rights

It is important for the NA to _______ the new resident in case something important was missed.

observe

A resident has a legal right to have his ________ items that he has brought with him treated carefully.

personal

True/False: A transfer to a new facility or hospital is normally easy for residents to handle.

False

True/False: Residents should be informed of transfers as early as possible.

True

True/False: The resident will usually pack her own belongings for a transfer.

False

True/False: The nursing assistant should introduce the resident to everyone in the new area.

True

True/False: One way that a nursing assistant can involve the resident in the packing process is to show the resident her empty closet.

True

True/False: The NA will write the order when it is time for a resident to be discharged.

False

True/False: OBRA requires that residents have the right to receive advance notice before they are discharged.

True

What might changes in vital signs indicate?

How well the vital organs are working & a new or worsening condition.

What is the normal temperature range for the oral method?

97.6-99.6 degrees Fahrenheit

What thermometer is used to take a temperature from the ear?

tympanic thermometer

What temperature site is another word for the armpit area?

Axilla

Which temperature site is generally considered to be the most accurate?

Rectum (rectal)

A rectal thermometer is usually color-coded...

Red

What pulse is most often used for measuring pulse rate?

Radial Pulse

For adults, the normal pulse rate is...

60-100 beats per minute

Inhaling air into the lungs is also called...

inspiration

Exhaling air out of the lungs is also called...

expiration

The normal respiration rate for adults ranges from

12-20 breaths per minute

Why is it important for the NA to observe respirations without letting the resident know what she is doing?

People may breathe more quickly if they know they are being observed.

What is considered a high blood pressure reading?

130/85

What piece of equipment is used to measure blood pressure?

sphygmomanometer

The second measurement of blood pressure reflects the phase when the heart relaxes. It is called the______ phase

Diastolic

Blood pressure measurements are recorded as _________.

Fractions

In the ________ phase of blood pressure, the heart is at work, contracting and pushing blood from the left ventricle of the heart.

systolic

A pulse oximeter measures

blood oxygen level and pulse rate

If a resident complains of pain, what questions should the NA ask to get the most accurate information?

Where is the pain?
When did the pain start?
How long does the pain last and how often does it occur?
How severe is the pain?
Can you describe the pain?
What makes the pain better/worse?
What were you doing when it started?

List 5 things an NA can do to help reduce a resident's pain

1. back rubs
2. offer a warm bath/shower
3. help with expulsion needs
4. encourage slow, deep breathing
5. provide a calm and quiet environment

Why must an NA report any weight a resident loses?

Weight changes can indicate illness.

How many inches are in a foot?

12

The purpose of restraints is to

Restrict voluntary movement or behavior

An expanded of a physical restraint is

raised rails on a bed

A chemical restraint is

Medication used to control behavior

What is one reason the use of restraints is now restricted?

They were abused by caregivers

Restraint-free care means that

Restraints are never used for any reason

Restraint alternatives are

measures used in place of a restraint

When a resident is restrained, he has to be monitored constantly. The resident must be checked often, following facility policy. What care needs to happen at regular, ordered intervals?

1. checked at least every 15 minutes
2. hell with elimination, check for episodes of incontinence, provide skin care
3. offer fluids/food
4. measure vital signs
5. check skin for signs of irritation (report any red, purple, blue, gray, or pale skin or discolored areas to the nurse)
6. check for swelling
7. reposition the resident
8. ambulated the resident if he is able

True/False: Fluids come in the form of liquids that a person drinks, as well as semi-liquid foods such a soup or gelatin.

True

True/False: The fluid a person consumes us called intake or input.

True

True/False: All of the body's fluid output is in the form of urine.

False

True/False: Fluid balance is taking in and eliminating the same amounts of fluid.

True

True/False: Most people need to consciously monitor their fluid balance.

False

Clean-catch specimen

Excludes first and last urine from sample

Hat

A collection container that is sometimes inserted into a toilet to collect and measure samples

routine urine specimen

Urine sample collected any time resident voids

specimen

a sample that is used for analysis in order to try to make a diagnosis

sputum specimen

this specimen should be collected early in the morning

Stool specimen

Urine and toilet paper should not be included with this specimen.

catheter

a thin tube inserted into the body to drain or inject fluids

Condom Catheter (Texas Catheter)

Urinary catheter that has an attachment that fits on to the penis

indwelling catheter (foley catheter)

remains inside the bladder for a period of time

straight catheter

a catheter that drains the bladder and then is removed

urinary catheter

a tube inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine from the bladder

True/False: Oxygen therapy is prescribed by a doctor.

True

True/False: Nursing assistants are usually responsible for adjusting oxygen settings for residents.

False

True/False: A flammable liquid like alcohol is fine to have in a room when oxygen is in use, as long as it is covered.

False

True/False: Smoking is allowed near where oxygen is stored as long as the oxygen is not in use.

False

True/False: Oxygen should be turned off in event of a fire.

True

True/False: NAs should check the skin around oxygen masks and tubing for irritation.

True

True/False: If a resident has skin irritation around a nasal cannula, the NA should use Vaseline to soften the skin.

False

IV therapy allows direct access to

The bloodstream

What is the NA's responsibility for IV care?

Documenting and reporting observations

If the IV bag is nearly gone, the NA should

Notify the nurse

True/False: A resident's room is his home and must be treated with respect.

True

True/False: It is not necessary for an NA to knock and wait for permission to enter a resident's room.

False

True/False: While working in a resident's room, the NA should adjust the temperature to whatever feels comfortable to him.

False

True/False: Urinals and bedlam's are normally stored on top of the overbed table.

False

True/False: Call lights must always be answered promptly.

True

True/False: Call lights should be placed wherever it is easiest for the nursing assistant to reach them.

False

True/False: Privacy curtains block sight, as well as sound.

False

True/False: Residents have a legal right to have their privacy protected when receiving care.

True

True/False: Soiled linen should be placed on the overbed table when changing a resident's bed.

False

True/False: It is best for an NA to wait a couple of hours before removing a resident's meal tray.

False

If an NA is asked to use a piece of equipment he does not know how to use, he should

Ask for help

Call lights should be placed

within the resident's reach

List 5 things that can disrupt a resident's sleep.

1. sleeping too much during the day
2. eating/drinking items with caffeine in them late in the day
3. wearing night clothes during the day
4. eating heavy meals late at night
5. taking new medications

List 3 problems caused by lack of sleep.

1. decreased mental function
2. reduced reaction time
3. irritability

Why is it important for NAs to change bed linen often?

To prevent infection and to promote comfort

Why should bed linen be carried away from the NA's body?

to prevent contamination of clothing

When removing dirty linen, the NA should

Roll it so that the soiled area is inside

When a resident cannot get out of bed

The bed should be raised to a safe height before making it

Soiled linen should be bagged

at the point of origin

A bed made with the bedspread and blankets in place is called a(n)

closed bed

Sterile dressings cover ___, ____, or ________ wounds.

New, Open, Draining

A _____ changes sterile dressings.

nurse

Non-sterile dressings are applied to dry, ______ wounds that have less chance of _________.

closed, infection

Elastic bandages are also known as

non sterile bandages

one purpose of elastic bandages is to

hold dressing in place

How soon should an NA check in a resident after applying a bandage?

10-15 minutes.