CNA Knowledge Test – Comprehensive Vocabulary Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards designed to review key CNA terms and concepts from the lecture notes. Use these cards to test recognition of terms and reinforce definitions before the exam.

Abandonment

Leaving or deserting a patient; withdrawing care without sufficient notice.

Abdominal Thrusts

Quick, upward pulls into the diaphragm to clear an obstructed airway in a choking person.

Abductor Wedge

Cushioned device placed between the legs post-hip surgery to maintain proper hip alignment.

Abnormal Vital Signs

Readings outside the normal temperature, pulse, respiration, or blood-pressure ranges.

Abuse

Purposeful mistreatment causing physical, mental, or emotional pain or injury.

Accidents

Unfortunate events resulting from carelessness or ignorance; usually preventable.

Accountable

Answerable for one’s actions and responsibilities.

Activities

Planned events that provide enjoyment, education, and socialization for residents.

Acute

Rapid onset, short-term condition, often unexpected.

Adaptive

Helping or contributing to adjustment or function.

Adaptive Devices

Special equipment that assists with activities of daily living (ADLs); also called assistive devices.

Adaptive Equipment

Tools such as raised utensils, reachers, or elevated seats that aid ADL completion.

Adduction

Movement of a body part toward the midline.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

Basic personal care tasks: bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, walking.

Admission

Process of entering a facility; includes taking vitals, height, and weight.

Admitting Resident

Initial procedures performed when a person enters long-term care.

Advance Directives

Legal documents stating a person’s medical wishes if they become unable to decide.

Affected Side

Weakened side after stroke or injury; also called involved side.

Aging Process

Normal biological changes over time affecting body structure and function.

Agitation

Restlessness or emotional disturbance; extreme uneasiness.

AIDS

Immune-system disease caused by HIV, transmitted via blood or sexual contact.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Progressive, incurable brain disorder leading to dementia.

Ambulation

Walking or moving about.

Amputees

Individuals who have had a limb surgically removed.

Anemia

Low healthy red-blood-cell count leading to reduced oxygen transport.

Angina

Chest pain from reduced blood flow to heart muscle.

Anti-embolic Stockings

Elastic stockings that reduce swelling and help prevent blood clots.

Antibiotics

Medications that kill or slow bacterial growth.

Antisepsis

Use of substances to inhibit growth of microorganisms on living tissue.

Aphasia

Loss of speech or language ability due to brain injury or illness.

Apical Pulse

Heartbeat heard with stethoscope at the apex of the heart, left chest.

Apnea

Absence of breathing.

Arthritis

Inflammation of joints causing pain and limited mobility.

Aspiration

Inhalation of food, fluid, or foreign material into lungs.

Assistive Devices

See Adaptive Devices—tools aiding ADLs for ill or disabled persons.

Authorized Duty

Task performed under granted authority or power.

Axillary Temperature

Temperature measured in the armpit.

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms; some beneficial, others cause disease.

Basic Needs

Essential requirements: food, water, clothing, shelter.

Bath Water Temperature

Should not exceed 105°F (40.6°C).

Bathing

Washing oneself or another; includes complete, partial, tub, or shower.

Bed Bath

Complete bath given to a person confined to bed.

Bed Cradle

Metal frame that keeps top linens off feet to prevent pressure sores.

Bed Height

Level of the bed; kept lowest except when providing care.

Bed Making

Preparing a clean, comfortable bed, especially for bed-bound residents.

Bed Position

Adjustment of bed sections to achieve resident comfort.

Bedrails

Side guards on a bed to prevent falls.

Behavior

Manner of acting toward others.

Behavioral Care Plan

Structured steps to help a resident modify behavior.

Beliefs

Personal trust, faith, or confidence in ideas or people.

Biohazard

Biological substance dangerous to human health.

Bladder Training

Scheduled voiding program to regain urinary control.

Bleeding

Loss of blood; severe hemorrhage can be life-threatening.

Blindness

Inability to see.

Body Alignment

Proper positioning that promotes optimal body function.

Body Language

Non-verbal communication through posture, gestures, facial expression.

Body Mechanics

Use of body to move safely and efficiently.

Body Temperature

Balance between heat produced and lost; measured in degrees.

Bone Loss

Reduction of bone mass; osteoporosis.

Bowel Program

Plan to establish regular, comfortable bowel movements without meds.

Brainstem

Part of brain connecting to spinal cord; controls vital involuntary actions.

Breathing

Process of inhalation and exhalation.

Brittle Bones

Fragile bones typically due to osteoporosis.

Burns

Tissue injuries from heat, steam, chemicals, or electricity.

Call Light

Signal device residents use to request help.

Cancer

Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells.

Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cessation of heart function.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Emergency procedure to restart heart and breathing.

Cardiovascular System

Heart and blood vessels; circulatory system.

Care Impaired

Resident needing extensive assistance with ADLs.

Care Plan

Written plan outlining resident goals and care actions.

Care Planning

Team meeting and process to develop or revise a care plan.

Cast

Hard protective covering immobilizing broken bones during healing.

Cataract

Clouding of the eye lens causing vision loss.

Catheter

Thin tube inserted to drain or instill fluid.

Catheter Care

Cleaning catheter tubing and perineal area (at least 4 inches down).

CCs in an Ounce

30 cubic centimeters (mL) equal one ounce.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord.

Charge Nurse

RN or LPN supervising unit staff and providing resident care.

Chemical Disinfection

Use of chemicals to kill pathogenic microorganisms on objects.

Chemical Restraint

Medication used to control mood or behavior.

Chemotherapy

Drug treatment that destroys or slows cancer cells; has toxic side effects.

Choking

Airway obstruction causing difficulty breathing.

Chronic

Long-term or lifetime condition.

Circulation

Movement of blood and other fluids through the body.

Circulatory System

Network of heart, blood, lymph, and vessels; cardiovascular system.

Cleaning

Removal of dirt and microorganisms from surfaces.

Clear Liquid Diet

Liquids at room temp leaving little intestinal residue (e.g., broth).

Clergy

Religious officials such as priests or rabbis.

Cognition

Ability to think logically and clearly.

Cognitively Impaired

Loss of logical thinking and clarity.

Cold Application

Ice pack or cold compress to reduce pain, swelling, or fever.

Colostomy

Surgical opening of large intestine through abdomen for stool passage.

Colostomy Care

Emptying and cleaning colostomy pouch while maintaining skin hygiene.

Coma

State of deep unconsciousness with no response to stimuli.

Combative Resident

Resident who is violent or hostile; requires calm approach and safety.

Communicable

Disease that is contagious or infectious between persons.

Communication

Exchange of information via sending and receiving messages.

Competency Evaluation

Written and skills exam required for CNA certification.

Conduct

Way of acting or behaving.