Nursing Assistant Study Guide: Key Concepts and Practices

Homeostasis

The condition in which all of the body's systems are working at their best.

Dilate

The widening of blood vessels.

Signs

Observations made by the NA.

Example of a sign

NA observes swelling on the resident's ankle.

Example of a symptom

Resident reports feeling nauseous.

Posterior

Anatomical term meaning the back of the body.

Integumentary system

It feels heat, cold, pain, touch, and pressure.

Bones in the human body

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High blood pressure

Is defined as a consistent reading of 130/80 or higher.

Osteoporosis

Commonly leads to fragile bones.

Respiratory system organs

Trachea, bronchi, lungs.

Dressing a resident with a hip replacement

Start with the weaker side.

Cognition

The ability to think logically and clearly.

Pressure injuries

Can lead to life-threatening infections.

Weakened side

Involved side.

Unconscious residents

May still be able to hear.

Dentures

Clean dentures should be returned to the resident or stored in a denture cup.

Dangling

Sitting up with the legs over the side of the bed.

Preventing aspiration during oral care

Using as little liquid as possible when giving oral care.

Repositioning bedbound residents

At least every two hours.

Lateral position

If a resident is lying on either her left or her right side.

Fowler's position

When a resident has her head and shoulders elevated and is in a semisitting position (45 to 60 degrees).

Prone position

A resident who is lying on her stomach with her arms at her sides.

Sims' position

If a resident is lying on her left side with her upper knee flexed and raised toward the chest.

Supine position

When a resident is lying flat on his back with his head and shoulders supported by a pillow.

Repositioning residents in wheelchairs

At least every hour.

Oral care frequency

At least two times a day.

Promoting independence and dignity during grooming

By honoring the resident's preferences.

Cleaning the perineal area

Work from front to back.

Positioning

NAs should check residents' skin each time they are repositioned.

Higher risk of skin breakdown

Tailbone (sacrum).

Responding to a resident falling

Widen her stance and bring the resident's body close to her.

AD

Alzheimer's Disease

Transfer belt

A device used to assist residents in moving safely.

Activity of daily living (ADL)

Basic everyday activities such as eating.

Skin breakdown

Skin that is a different color than the surrounding area.

Fracture pan

A pan used for residents who cannot assist to raise their hips onto a bedpan.

Respiration

The process consisting of inspiration and expiration.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes trouble with breathing.

Positioning for COPD

Residents with COPD should be positioned sitting upright.

Diabetes symptoms

Excessive thirst, extreme hunger, frequent urination.

Urinary tract infections in females

Females are more likely to have UTIs due to having a shorter urethra.

Lymph

The yellowish fluid that carries disease-fighting cells.

Parkinson's disease

Typically causes a shuffling gait.

Immune system function

Protects the body from disease through nonspecific and specific immunity.

Hypertension

The medical term for high blood pressure.

PWB

Partial weight-bearing.

Aging change in females

A normal change of aging for the female reproductive system is a weakening of the voice.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune illness where the body's immune system attacks normal tissue.

Muscles

Provide movement of body parts.

Postmortem care responsibilities

Include placing drainage pads where needed.

Palliative care

Involves pain relief and comfort.

Sense of hearing

The last sense to leave the body.

Approaching death sign

Decreasing blood pressure.

Advance directives

Must be honored.

Integumentary system aging

Keep sheets wrinkle-free to help with normal changes of aging.

Antiembolic stocking

A special stocking that can help with circulation after a knee replacement.

Cataract development

The lens of the eye becomes cloudy.

AIDS symptoms

Helpful for a resident with numbness, tingling, and pain in feet is wearing loose slippers.

Incontinence in AD

Mark the bathroom with a sign or picture for residents with AD.

Responding to hallucinations

Reassure a resident who is upset and worried.

Perseveration in AD

Answer questions each time they are asked.

Gloves during shaving

It is necessary for an NA to always wear gloves when shaving a resident.

Dressing assistance

When a resident has weakness on one side, the NA should begin dressing from the weaker side.