BH CNA Program Vocabulary List #3

Clarification

the act of making clear or understandable.

Cleaning

removing soil from a surface or object.

Cleaning Spills

the process of cleaning up spills.

Clear Liquid Diet

a diet that consists of liquids and foods that are liquid at room temperature; water, sprite, jello, popsicles, etc.

Clergy

an individual ordained for religious duties.

Cognitively Impaired

thinking skills and memory do not function normally.

Cold Application

nonpharmacologic pain management that reduces swelling to an area, controls bleeding and can lower body temperature.

Cold Compress

A cold cloth or cloth-like object applied locally to relieve pain, stop bleeding and decrease swelling.

Colostomy Bag

a plastic pouch or bag attached over a colostomy stoma to collect stool.

Colostomy Care

the act of caring for a colostomy to include emptying the colostomy bag, measuring and recording the colostomy output, and inspecting the skin around the stoma for irritation or breakdown.

Coma

state of unconsciousness.

Combative Resident

Violent or hostile resident.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

condition that occurs when the heart muscle weakens and becomes ineffective in moving blood throughout the body.

Comfort Care

supportive care for patients who are suffering from a terminal illness; palliative care.

Communicable

contagious; A disease capable of being transmitted from one person to another either directly or indirectly.

Communication

sending and receiving messages verbally, nonverbally, in writing, or through symbols.

Compression

a force that pushes on or squeezes a material; used in the medical field on extremities to increase circulation, decrease swelling, and prevent blood clots. (TED hose, Compression Stockings, SCD-Sequential Compression Device).

Conduct

to cause oneself to act or behave in a particular and controlled manner i.e. conducted herself in a professional manner; to direct or take part in the operation or management of i.e. conduct an experiment.

Confidentiality

the act of holding patient medical information in confidence; not to be released to unauthorized individuals.

Conflict

situation in which one side or person tries to gain something at the expense of another; people have differing or seemingly incompatible ideas, interests, or values; a disagreement arises among two or more people; people are trying to meet a goal in different ways.

Conflict Resolution

the process of finding a peaceful solution to a disagreement.

Confused Resident

a resident who is unable to think with clarity or act with understanding; not alert and oriented.

Constipation

difficulty in moving bowels.

Constrict

to make narrow or draw together.

Contact Isolation

used when caring for patients infected with pathogens that can be transmitted directly or indirectly.

Contamination

the presence of a microorganism on the body, in food, or on a surface.

Continuity

the same or similar; continuity of care is continuous, uniform care of a resident.

Contracture

abnormal shortening of muscle tissue due to lack of movement or improper positioning.

Converting Measures

changing one unit of measure to another; example: 30 ml=1 oz.

COPD

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; chronic inflammatory disease of bronchial passages and lungs; three most common types are bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.

Coughing Excessively

a large amount of coughing; due to choking, allergies, lung infection, etc.

CPR

cardiopulmonary resuscitation; emergency procedure to restore cardiopulmonary function.

Cueing

prompting a resident to begin a task or activity by telling or showing.

CVA

cerebral vascular accident; condition that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, also called a stroke.

Cyanotic

pertaining to a blue discoloration of the skin, lips, and/or nail beds due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Data Collection

the process of collecting information.

Death and Dying

end of life.

Decubitus Ulcer

pressure sore.

Deeper Tissue

deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue underneath the layers of the skin.

Defamation

slander or libel; a false statement that causes ridicule or damage to a reputation.

Dehydration

serious condition that results from excessive loss of water from the body; can occur due to inadequate fluid intake.

Delegation

the process of assigning duties to employees lower in the workplace hierarchy.

Dementia

mental disorder characterized by memory loss, impaired reasoning, and personality changes.

Denial

avoiding an issue or problem instead of dealing with it directly.

Denture Care

cleaning a resident's dentures; twice per day with denture cleanser, toothbrush, and cool water.

Dentures

false teeth.

Depression

a prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness.

Development

the process of change that occurs during an organism's life to produce a more complex organism; growth.

Developmental Disability

chronic condition caused by physical and/or mental impairment that affects language, learning, mobility, and the activities of daily living; may prevent a person from living independently.

Diabetes

disease in which the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't use insulin properly, resulting in high blood glucose.