Hartman's Nursing Assistant Care The Basics Chapter 2

Communication

The process of exchanging information with others (via sending or receiving)

Verbal communication

use of spoken or written words/sounds (ex: oral reports)

Nonverbal communication

without use of words for communication (ex: shrugging shoulders)

Immediately tell nurse if patient...

- falls

- trouble breathing

- weakness

- bleeding

- chest pain

- abnormal vital signs

- fever

- bruises

- mental status

- loss of consciousness

Address patients by

last name (Mr, Mrs, Ms)

Objective information

Based on what a person sees, hears, touches, or smells (signs)

Subjective information

Something a person cannot or did not observe (symptoms)

Incontinence

The inability to control the bladder or bowels

Root

basic meaning of word

Prefix

comes before the root

Suffix

comes at the end of the root

Defense mechanisms

Unconscious behaviors used to release tension or cope with stress

Denial, projection, displacement, rationalization, repression, regression

Denial

completely rejecting the thought or feeling

Projection

seeing feelings in others that are really one's own

Displacement

transferring a strong negative feeling to a safer situation

Rationalization

making excuses to justify a situation

Repression

blocking painful thoughts or feelings from the mind

Regression

going back to an old (usually immature) behavior

Hearing impaired

- ensure aid is on and clean

- reduce noise

- speak clear

- do not shout, lower pitch

- keep hands out of the way

Visually impaired

- put glasses on (ensure they are clean and in good condition)

- no help for contact lenses

- proper lighting

- use imaginary clock

- do not move any items

- walk slightly in from of resident (let resident grasp hand)

Cliches

phrases that are used over and over again and do not really mean anything

Culture

A system of learned behaviors, practiced by a group of people, that is considered to be the tradition of that group and is passed on from one generation to the next

level of comfort with touch; desire/meaning for eye contact; need for distance

Telephone Communication

- identify facilities name, your name, and title

- place on hold or take message and get number

- read back everything (if note)

- thank you and goodbye

Confidentiality is always

important

Impairment

Loss of function or ability; it can be partial or complete loss

Mental health

The normal functioning of emotional and intellectual abilities

Mental Health disorders

a disorder involving emotions and mental functions

Mental Health treatment

- do not talk to residents as children

- use simple, clear statements

- avoid arguments, show respect and concern

- sit or stand at normal distance

Combative

Violent or hostile behavior displayed by some residents

Combative behavior treatment

- block blows or step away

- allow resident time to calm down before next interaction

- give space (arms length away)

- stay calm and neutral, flexible, and patient

- do not use gestures

Incident report for Combative Behavior

- find out what provoked resident

- report inappropriate behavior

- answer call lights immediately

- try distraction

- do not overreact

- direct to private area (if possible)

Body mechanics

The way the parts of the body work together when a person moves

Posture

The way a person holds and positions his body

To avoid injury...

- avoid twisting at waist

- keep feet shoulder width apart

- bend at your knees

Base of support

The foundation that supports an object. The wider the support, the more stable a person will be.

Center of gravity

The point in the body where the most weight is concentrated

Fracture

A broken bone

Risk factors for falls

unsafe environment

meds

weakness/disoriented

poor lighting

Disorientation

confusion about person, place, or time

Scalds

Burns caused by hot liquids

Preventing falls

lock wheelchairs

lock bed wheels

return beds to lowest positions

clear walkways

answer call lights

nonskid rugs/shoes/socks

clean up spills

keep freq. used personal items close by

Dry heat

irons, stoves

Wet heat

coffee, steam

Chemicals

lye, acids

Abrasion

An injury that rubs off the surface of the skin

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; a federal government agency that makes rules to protect workers from hazards on the job

Identify patients by checking

name, ID, call resident by name (at least two proofs)

Conscious

Mentally alert and having awareness of surroundings, sensations, and thoughts

Fowler's position

a semi-sitting position; the head of the bed is raised between 45 and 60 degrees - to prevent choking

Fire Extinguisher

PASS

Pull

Aim at base

Squeeze

Sweep at base

Fire at Facility

RACE

Remove resident's from danger

Activate alarm

Contain fire

Extinguish (if possible)

Obstructed airway

Something is blocking the tube through which air enters the lungs

Abdominal thrusts

A method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is chocking

Cyanotic

Blue tinged skin

Shock

Occurs when organs and tissues in the body do not receive an adequate blood supply. Can be caused by bleeding, heart attach, severe infection, and falling blood pressure

Signs of Shock

-pale or bluish skin

-staring

-increased pulse and respiration rates

-low blood pressure

-extreme thirst

elevate feet for treatment

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing

elevate head for treatment

Myocardial infarction

heart attack; inadequate blood supply to heart = decrease oxygen

Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar. S&S include nervousness, dizziness, perspiration, weakness, rapid pulse, headache, cold clammy skin, confusion, numbness of lips and tongue

3 Signs of Heart Attack

-pressure and pain in chest

- cyanotic skin

- nausea/vomiting

- dyspnea

For severe burns

no ice, ointment, salve, or grease (cool clean towel is okay)

Insulin Reaction

too much insulin or too little food

- rapid pulse; confusion; unconscious' perspiration; blurred vision

DKA

Diabetic Ketoacidosis - Caused by hyperglycemia [too little insulin]

S&S include increased thirst and/or urination, abdominal pain, deep or labored breathing, breath smells fruity, headache, rapid pulse, dry skin, flushed cheeks, nausea and vomiting

Seizures

involuntary, violent contraction of muscles

- high fever, head injury, serious illness, disorders (epilepsy)

- SIGNS: shaking, jaw clenching, drooling, inability to swallow

TIA

Transient Ischemic Attack;

a warning sign of a CVA; the result of a temporarty lack of oxygen in the brain (occur up to 24 hours)

Signs of a Stroke

FAST

Face drooping

Arm weakness

Speech difficulty

Time to call 911

CVA

Cerebrovascular accident or stroke;

occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel leaks or ruptures within the brain

Emesis

act of vomiting or ejecting stomach contents through the mouth and/or nose

Infection prevention

set of methods used to prevent and control the spread of disease

Microorganism

A living thing or organism so small that it can only be seen under a microscope

Microbe

Another name for microorganism

Pathogen

Harmful microorganism, invade the body and multiply and cause infection

Infection

result from pathogens invading body snf multiplying

Localized infection

Limited to a specific location in the body

Systemic infection

Affecting the entire body

HAI

Healthcare associated infection;

acquired in the healthcare setting during the delivery of medical care

Chain of infection

A way of describing how disease is transmitted from one being to another

Causative agent

A pathogenic microorganism that causes disease

Reservoir

Where the pathogen lives and grows

Portal of exit

Any body opening on an infected person that allows pathogens to leave

Mode of transmission

How the pathogen travels

Direct contact

Transmission of a pathogen made by touching the infected person or his secretions

Indirect contact

Results from touching something contaminated by an infected person. Ex: needle, dressing, or tissue

Medical aspesis

used to reface and prevent spread of pathogens

Surgical aspesis

being free of all microorganisms (sterile technique)

Portal of entry

Any body opening on an uninfected person that allows pathogens to enter

Standard precautions

A strict form of infection control that is based on the assumption that all blood and other body fluids are infectious.

Mucous membrane

The membranes that line body cavities that open to the outside of the body - linings of mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, and genitals

Infectious

contagious

Susceptible host

An uninfected person who could get sick

Medical asepsis

Measures used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens

Surgical asepsis

Sterile technique; state of being free from all microorganisms

CDC

Centers for disease control and prevention. Under the DOH and HHS (sweat not considered bodily fluid)

PPE

Person Protective Equipment;

helps protect employees from serious injuries or illnesses

Sterilization

Cleaning measure that destroys all microorganisms including pathogens

Sputum

mucous coughed up

Antimicrobial

able to destroy or suppress the growth of pathogens and other micro-organisms

Disinfection

A process that kills pathogens but does not destroy all pathogens

Disposable

only to be used once then discarded

Spills should be absorbed and removed without

placing disinfectant directly on fluid