Module 1 Nursing Assistant Study Guide

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering basic healthcare settings, medical roles, legal/ethical rules, safety procedures, and infection control based on the Module 1 study guide.

Long-Term Care (LTC)

Care provided in long-term care facilities for people who need ongoing 24-hour skilled nursing care.

Skilled Care

Medically necessary care provided by licensed nurses or therapists under a doctor's order.

Length of Stay

The number of days a person remains in a healthcare facility.

Terminal Illness

An illness that will eventually result in death.

Home Health Care

Healthcare services provided in a person's home.

Assisted Living Facility

A residence for people who need some assistance with daily activities but do not require 24-hour skilled care.

Adult Day Services

Programs that provide supervision, activities, and assistance during daytime hours for people who live at home.

Acute Care

Short-term, immediate care for illnesses, injuries, or surgeries, usually provided in hospitals.

Subacute Care

Care for people who need more care than long-term care but less than acute hospital care.

Outpatient Care

Medical treatment or procedures that do not require an overnight stay.

Rehabilitation

Care provided by therapists to restore or improve function after illness or injury.

Hospice Care

Care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for people expected to live six months or less.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

Everyday self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, walking, and grooming.

Communication

The exchange of information, thoughts, feelings, or ideas between people.

Verbal Communication

Communication using spoken or written words.

Nonverbal Communication

Communication without words, such as facial expressions, gestures, posture, and body language.

Subjective Information

Information based on a person's feelings, opinions, or experiences that cannot be directly measured.

Objective Information

Information that can be seen, measured, observed, or verified.

Charting (Documentation)

Recording important information about a resident's care and condition in the medical record.

Medical Record (Chart)

The legal record containing information about a resident's care and treatment.

Incident

An accident, mistake, problem, or unexpected event that occurs during care.

Incident Report

A confidential report documenting an accident, injury, mistake, or unusual event.

Minimum Data Set (MDS)

A federally required assessment used to evaluate residents and develop care plans.

Care Plan

An individualized plan that lists a resident's needs, goals, treatments, services, and care instructions.

Person-Centered Care

Care that focuses on the resident's preferences, choices, needs, and goals.

Chain of Command

The line of authority showing who reports to whom in a healthcare facility.

Administrator

Manages the facility's business operations, finances, and policies.

Medical Director (MD)

Oversees medical care and consults with physicians and nursing staff.

Director of Nursing (DON)

Supervises all nursing services and nursing personnel.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Provides skilled nursing care, develops care plans, administers treatments, and supervises staff.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

Provides medications, treatments, and nursing care under supervision.

Nursing Assistant (NA/CNA)

Provides direct resident care and reports observations to nurses.

Physician

Diagnoses illnesses and prescribes treatment.

Physician Assistant (PA)

Diagnoses conditions and develops treatment plans under physician supervision.

Physical Therapist (PT)

Helps residents improve mobility, strength, and movement.

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Helps residents regain skills needed for daily living.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

Helps residents with communication and swallowing disorders.

Registered Dietitian

Plans diets and nutritional care.

Medical Social Worker

Helps residents obtain support services and resources.

Activities Director

Plans recreational and social activities for residents.

Medicare

Federal health insurance for people age 65 and older and certain people with disabilities.

Medicaid

Government medical assistance program for people with low incomes and certain disabilities.

CMS

Federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid.

Ethics

Principles of right and wrong behavior.

Liability

Legal responsibility for causing harm to another person.

Scope of Practice

Tasks healthcare workers are legally allowed to perform.

To Cite

To officially document a violation or problem found during an inspection.

Confidentiality

Keeping private information private.

Protected Health Information (PHI)

Information that identifies a resident and relates to health care.

HIPAA

Federal law protecting residents' private health information.

OBRA

Federal law establishing nursing assistant training requirements and residents' rights.

Professionalism

Behaving responsibly and appropriately while on the job.

Residents' Rights

Legal rights that protect residents' dignity, privacy, independence, safety, and quality of care.

Informed Consent

Permission given after a person understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives of treatment.

Ombudsman

Legal advocate who investigates and helps resolve resident complaints.

Resident Council

A group of residents who meet to discuss concerns and suggest improvements.

Abuse

Purposeful mistreatment causing physical, mental, or emotional harm.

Physical Abuse

Causing bodily harm through hitting, pushing, rough handling, or other actions.

Psychological Abuse

Emotional harm through threats, humiliation, intimidation, or isolation.

Verbal Abuse

Using words or gestures to threaten, embarrass, or insult someone.

Sexual Abuse

Any nonconsensual sexual contact.

Financial Abuse

Illegal or improper use of another person's money or property.

Neglect

Failure to provide necessary care resulting in harm.

Negligence

Failure to provide proper care resulting in unintended injury.

Malpractice

Professional misconduct that causes injury through negligence or lack of skill.

Assault

Threatening harm that causes fear.

Battery

Intentional touching of another person without consent.

False Imprisonment

Restricting a person's freedom of movement without legal justification.

Involuntary Seclusion

Separating a person from others against their will.

Domestic Violence

Abuse by a spouse, partner, or family member.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual behavior creating an intimidating or hostile environment.

Substance Abuse

Harmful use of drugs, alcohol, or other substances.

Body Mechanics

Proper use of the body to prevent injury during movement and lifting.

Posture

Proper alignment of the body while standing, sitting, or moving.

OSHA

Federal agency that establishes workplace safety standards.

Emergency Care

Immediate care given for sudden illness or injury.

Seizure

Sudden abnormal electrical activity in the brain causing changes in movement or awareness.

Bleeding (Hemorrhage)

Loss of blood from damaged blood vessels.

Choking

Blockage of the airway preventing normal breathing.

Abdominal Thrusts

Emergency procedure used to help clear an airway obstruction.

RACE

Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate.

PASS

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

FAST

Face Drooping, Arm Weakness, Speech Difficulty, Time to Call 911.

Microorganism

Tiny living organism visible only under a microscope.

Pathogen

Disease-causing microorganism.

Localized Infection

Infection limited to one area of the body.

Systemic Infection

Infection spread throughout the body.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI)

Infection acquired while receiving care in a healthcare facility.

Mucous Membranes

Moist linings of body openings such as the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals.

Medical Asepsis

Practices used to reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens.

Surgical Asepsis

Procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms.

CDC

Federal agency that helps prevent and control disease.

Chain of Infection

A sequence consisting of: 1. Infectious Agent, 2. Reservoir, 3. Portal of Exit, 4. Mode of Transmission, 5. Portal of Entry, and 6. Susceptible Host.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment.

Don

To put on PPE.

Doff

To remove PPE.

Order for Putting On PPE

Gown → Mask/Respirator → Goggles or Face Shield → Gloves.

Order for Removing PPE

Gloves → Goggles/Face Shield → Gown → Mask/Respirator → Hand Hygiene.

Standard Precautions

Infection-control practices used with all residents.

Airborne Precautions

Used for diseases spread through tiny airborne particles.