CNA Exam

Abandonment

Unilateral termination of the nurse-patient relationship

abdominal thrust

First-aid technique used to dislodge an object from someone's airway

Abductor wedge

Device designed to separate the legs of a patient

Abnormal vital signs

Vital signs that fall outside of the normal range

Absorption

process by which substances move from administration site into the bloodstream

Abuse

intentional or unintentional actions that cause harm or distress to an individual's well-being

accidents

unexpected and unintentional event that results in injury or loss

accountable

being responsible for one's actions and capable of explaining or justifying them, often to someone in a position of authority or to the public

adaptive

having an ability to change to suit changing conditions

acute

a condition or symptom that develops suddenly and lasts for a relatively short time

adduction

movement of a limb or other part toward the mid-line of the body

ADL

activities of daily living

admitting resident

the process of admitting a resident

Advance Directives

a legal document that allows individuals to specify their end-of-life care wishes and name someone to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so themselves

agitation

state of anxiety or nervous excitement

ambulation

walk, move about

ALS

a nervous system disease that weakens muscles

angina

a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart

anterior

nearer the front

anti-embolic stocking

elastic stockings designed to apply compression

antisepsis

the practice of using antiseptics to eliminate microorganisms

aphasia

language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate

apical

refers to the tip of a rounded or pyramid-shaped structure

apnea

temporary cessation or absence of breathing

arthritis

inflammation of the joints

aspiration

accidental inhalation of foreign materials such as food, liquid, or air into the airways and lungs

assault

intentional act that creates a reasonable apprehension of imminent or harmful or offensive contact, without requiring actual physical harm

assistive device

adaptive technologies designed

atrophy

wasting away of tissue

audiologist

doctor who specializes in hearing and sound

authorized duty

person assigned to perform a specific task

autoclave

piece of equipment used for sterilization

axillary temperature

temperature that is taken in an armpit

basic needs

needs people cannot live without

bath water temperature

the temperature of water used to give a bath

bathing

the process of cleaning the body

bed cradle

frame placed on bed to prevent blankets or sheets from touching a patient

bed height

height of the bed

behavior

observable actions of human beings

behavioral care plan

detailed method of a goal related to behavior

beliefs

specific ideas that people hold true

biohazard

biological agent that constitutes a hazard to humans

bladder training

goal is to gain control of urination

bleeding

loss of blood

blindness

inability to see

blood pressure

tension exerted by blood on the arterial walls

bodily fluid

any fluids produced by the body

body alignment

position of the body so it can function properly

body language

communication of information through body positions

body mechanics

the proper use of the body to facilitate lifting in a way to prevent injury

body systems

sets of organs in our body that work together

body temperature

the amount of heat in the body

bone loss

changes that occur in the bones resulting in loss

bowel program

establishment of developing a habit of a specific time to empty the bowel

brain stem

connects brain and spinal cord

brittle bones

a result of osteoporosis

burnout

physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that is attributed to work related stress

calculate intake

adding up all fluids

call light

allows patient to call for help

cancer

malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal or uncontrolled cell division

cardiac arrest

complete stopping of heart activity

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

an emergency procedure for life support

cardiovascular system

heart and blood vessels

care impaired

unable to provide own personal care

care plan

written plan developed for each resident to achieve goals

cataract

clouding of the lens of the eye

catheter

tube for injecting or removing fluids

central nervous system

brain and spinal cord

chain of command

the line of authority that moves from the top of a hierarchy to the lowest level

charge nurse

a nurse responsible for a team of healthcare workers

chemical disinfection

process that destroys or kills pathogenic organisms

chest pain

angina

choking

foreign object blocking the airway

chronic

continuing for a long time

circulatory system

tissues and organs involved in circulating blood

clear liquid diet

diet that consists of food that are liquid at room temperature

clergy

church leaders

cognitively impaired

loss of ability to think logically, concentration and memory are affected

cold application

causes vasoconstriction and can help prevent swelling

colostomy care

providing care to patients and keeping them free of odors and ensuring their hygiene

coma

deep prolonged unconsciousness

combative resident

violent or hostile resident

communicable

transferable by contact from one person to another

competency evaluation

an assessment of mental health or decision making capacity

conduct

behavior

confidentiality

respecting the privacy of both parties and keeping details secret

conflict resolution

the process of ending a conflict through cooperation and problem solving

confused resident

a resident who is unable to think with clarity

constipation

the passage of a hard, dry stool

contact precautions

practices used to prevent spread of disease by direct or indirect contact

contracture

the lack of joint mobility cause by abnormal shortening of a muscle

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder

coughing excessively

a severe cough that exceeds normal intervals

cultural

of or relating to culture

CVA

cerebral vascular accident

dangling

hanging loosely

de-escalation

the reduction of elimination of conflict

deeper tissue

deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue

dehydration

an abnormally low amount of water in the body

delegation

the process of assigning managerial authority and responsibility