CNA Role, Legal Issues, and Ethics Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key terminology, roles, legal concepts, and ethical standards for Certified Nurse Assistants based on lecture notes.

Acute Care Facility

A facility where people usually stay for a short period of time, like a hospital.

Patients

Individuals receiving care in hospitals who have acute illnesses and injuries.

Acute Illnesses

Illnesses that occur quickly and do not last for long.

Clients

Individuals needing healthcare care in their homes.

Residents

Individuals needing care in a long-term care facility, such as a nursing home or rehabilitation center.

Chronic Illnesses

Illnesses that last a long time.

Charge Nurse (CN)

A licensed nurse (RN, LPN, or LVN) who supervises the nursing assistant, assigns work, and answers questions.

Care Plan

A specific plan used by all care team members containing information about resident needs such as dietary, bathing, dressing, and positioning details, which may change daily.

Negligence

Being careless and failing to give the care needed and expected by the resident, where an individual fails to do what a reasonable and careful person would have done.

Defamation

Injuring a person's name and reputation by making false statements to a third person.

Libel

Defamation in print, writing, or pictures.

Slander

Verbal defamation.

False Imprisonment

Restricting someone's movement without permission, such as applying restraints without proper authorization.

Assault

Trying to or threatening to touch a resident's body without permission.

Battery

Touching the resident without permission.

Abuse

Doing physical or mental harm to the resident, or threatening them with harm.

Theft

Taking something that does not belong to you.

Aiding and Abetting

Seeing someone doing something wrong or stealing something and not reporting it.

Ethics

Part of a moral code that guides the behavior of the CNA, involving making good decisions about what is right and what is wrong.

Etiquette

Exhibiting a polite, courteous, and kind attitude to all.