Nursing Assistant Ethics, Resident Rights, and Nursing Process

Vocabulary flashcards covering ethical responsibilities, resident rights, governing bodies and laws, patient rights, abuse reporting, the nursing process, and care delivery concepts from the notes.

Ethical responsibilities of the nursing assistant

Duty to treat all clients with equality, compassion, and respect for inherent dignity; protect rights and safety; avoid unethical behaviors; maintain client confidentiality.

Resident rights

Fundamental rights in long-term care, including respect, privacy, information about services, participation in care decisions, managing money, visiting, and protection from unfair transfers or discharges.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; establishes national standards to protect patient health information from improper disclosure and ensures PHI privacy and security.

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Identifiable health information that relates to a patient’s health status, care, or payment.

HIPAA Security Rule

Requires safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI and to guard against anticipated threats.

OBRA

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987; established nurse aide training minimums (75 hours), competency evaluation, and resident-rights protections in long-term care.

CMS

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; federal agency that funds Medicare/Medicaid and issues healthcare guidelines.

Medicare

Federal health care program for people 65+, certain disabilities or kidney failure; includes Part A-D coverage types.

Medicaid

Federal/state program for individuals with low incomes; coverage varies by state and may include resident care services.

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; provides infection and disease control guidelines for facilities.

FDA

Food and Drug Administration; regulates safety of medications, devices, foods, cosmetics, and tobacco products.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; ensures safe/healthy working conditions and provides training and enforcement of standards.

Department of Health Services (DHS)

State-level agency overseeing public health, long-term care regulation, licensure, and related services.

Vulnerable populations

Groups at higher risk for poor health outcomes (children, older adults, minorities, underinsured, etc.) requiring attentive care.

Elder abuse and neglect

Intentional harm or failure to act causing risk or harm to someone aged 60+; includes physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

Mandated reporters

Health care professionals required by law to report suspected elder/child abuse or neglect to authorities.

Elopement

Resident leaving the facility unsafely and without protection or notification.

Nursing process

Systematic, patient-centered framework used by nurses to plan and deliver care; stages: assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation, evaluation.

ATABE

Acronym for the six nursing process steps: Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcomes identification, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation.

Nursing care plan

RN-created document detailing individualized goals and interventions; guides care across shifts; some tasks delegated under supervision.

Scope of practice

Range of tasks a licensed professional may perform; varies by state; federal 42 CFR 483 defines allowed CNA tasks.

42 CFR 483 tasks

Nine tasks CNAs may perform, including personal care, safety, basic nursing skills, infection control, communication, care of cognitively impaired, basic restorative care, mental health and social needs, and residents’ rights.

Four S's of delegation

Scope, Supervision, Safety, Supplies; framework to ensure delegated tasks are within scope with proper supervision and resources.

Long-term care settings

Settings like hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, home health, and group homes with varying levels of care and licensure.

Ombudsman

Advocate for residents’ rights who helps resolve problems and informs residents about rights and protections.

Resident-centered care

Care approach focusing on residents’ needs, preferences, and quality of life, with a collaborative care team.

Signs of abuse or neglect (Table 2.2)

Physical signs (injury), sexual signs, neglect signs (malnutrition, dehydration), and emotional/psychological signs (withdrawal, fear, depression).