Chapter 2 - Foundations of Resident Care

Practice flashcards covering communication, safety, first aid, and infection control for CNA foundational care.

Verbal communication

Communication that uses spoken or written words.

Nonverbal communication

Communication without words, such as facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, and body language.

Objective observation

Information the nursing assistant can directly see, hear, smell, or touch, such as a skin rash, vomiting, or swelling.

Subjective observation

Information that must be reported by the resident because the nursing assistant cannot directly observe it, like headache or nausea.

Using the senses

The method nursing assistants use to observe residents using sight, hearing, smell, and touch.

Reporting changes

The process of giving factual, accurate information about a resident's condition promptly to the nurse without diagnosing.

Communication with residents

Guidelines including facing the resident, speaking clearly, listening carefully, and avoiding medical jargon.

Communication barriers

Factors such as language differences, hearing/vision problems, and confusing medical terminology that hinder understanding.

Special needs: Visual impairment

Adaptation where the NA identifies themselves and describes the surroundings to the resident.

Special needs: Hearing impairment

Adaptation where the NA faces the resident and speaks clearly without shouting.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

A document providing information about chemical products, hazards, safe handling, and exposure responses.

Fall prevention

Safety strategies including keeping pathways clear, keeping needed items in reach, and ensuring proper footwear.

Resident falling procedure

Widen stance, bend knees, support the resident, and lower them safely to the floor while protecting the head.

Body mechanics

Using the body correctly to prevent injury, including keeping a wide base of support and bending the knees.

RACE

Fire response acronym: Remove/Rescue residents, Activate alarm, Contain fire, and Extinguish or Evacuate.

PASS

Fire extinguisher acronym: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side.

Emergency response

Staying calm, assessing the situation, calling for help, and protecting the resident according to facility policy.

First aid

Immediate care given to an injured or suddenly ill person until additional medical help is available.

Choking

An emergency involving a blocked airway where the resident cannot speak, breathe, or cough effectively.

Signs of shock

Indicators such as pale/clammy skin, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, weakness, confusion, and restlessness.

Bleeding care

Using Standard Precautions, applying appropriate pressure, and reporting the emergency immediately.

Seizure safety

Protecting the resident from injury, moving nearby objects away, and not restraining or placing items in the mouth.

Infection

The invasion of the body by microorganisms that can cause disease.

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

An infection acquired while receiving care in a healthcare setting.

Chain of infection

The series of steps that allow an infection to spread from one person or place to another.

Infectious agent

A pathogen or microorganism capable of causing disease.

Reservoir

The place where a pathogen lives and grows, such as a person, animal, water, or environment.

Portal of exit

The way a pathogen leaves its reservoir, such as through blood or body fluids.

Mode of transmission

The way a pathogen travels from one person or place to another.

Portal of entry

The way a pathogen enters a new host, such as through the mouth, nose, or broken skin.

Susceptible host

A person who is at risk of becoming infected.

Breaking the chain of infection

Actions like hand hygiene, proper PPE, and cleaning that stop infection transmission.

Standard Precautions

Infection-control practices used for all residents to prevent contact with blood and body fluids.

Hand hygiene

One of the most important ways to prevent infection, performed before and after resident contact.

Soap and water usage

Required when hands are visibly soiled or when caring for residents with C. difficile.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer limitation

This cleaning agent is not effective against C. difficile spores.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Protective gear like gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection used for safety from infectious material.

Gloves indication

Worn when contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is possible.

Gown indication

Worn when clothing or skin may come into contact with infectious material.

Mask and eye protection indication

Used when there is a risk of splashes, sprays, or respiratory exposure.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Extra infection-control measures used in addition to Standard Precautions for known/suspected infections.

Contact precautions

Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact; may require gloves and gowns.

Droplet precautions

Used for infections spread by respiratory droplets over short distances; commonly requires a mask.

Airborne precautions

Used for infections spread through small particles in the air; requires special respiratory protection.

Bloodborne pathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms carried in blood and certain body fluids.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

A viral infection affecting the liver for which a vaccine is available.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

A viral infection affecting the liver for which there is no vaccine.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus that attacks the immune system and can lead to AIDS.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A contagious disease affecting the lungs spread through the air; requires airborne precautions.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of staph bacteria resistant to some antibiotics.

VRE

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, a type of bacteria resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin.

C. difficile (C. diff)

A bacteria forming spores that causes watery diarrhea and requires handwashing with soap and water.