CNA Vocab Terms

Acute

Severe and sudden onset

Abductor Wedge

Foam support used to keep the legs apart

Advance Directives

Legal documents that allow individuals to make their wishes regarding medical care known in case they are unable to make those decisions themselves.

Afebrile

Without fever; free from fever

AIDS

Abbreviation for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the most advanced state of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Ambulation (Ambulatory)

Walking, person who can walk

Amputees

Someone who has had a limb or other body part surgically removed or who was born with a missing body part

Anemia

Condition in which the individual does not have enough healthy red blood cells

Angina

Pressure, or discomfort that happens in the chest when the heart does not get enough oxyegn

Aphasia

Language disorder caused by damage to parts of the brain that affect a person’s ability to speak

Apical

Tip of the heart, often used to describe the sound of the pulse on the left side of the chest, just below the nipple

Aseptic

Free from contamination caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms

Atrophy

Wasting away, decreasing in size, and weakening of muscles from lack of use.

Bargaining

A stage of grief where a person attempts to make deals or compromises to change an outcome

Bed cradle

Device that attaches to the foot of the bed to keep linens from touching or rubbing sensitive skin or placing pressure on the legs, feet, or toes.

Bowel Program

Program designed to help an individual to go to the bathroom at the same times every day to help train the body have regular bowel movements.

CC’s in an Ounce

30 cc’s in an ounce

Chain of Command

A hierarchical structure of authority in which orders and responsibilities are passed from higher levels of leadership to lower levels

Communicable

An infectious disease that can be transmitted to another person through direct or indirect contact.

Competency Evaluation

Assessment of decision-making capacity

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; common treatable lung disease that restricts airflow and causes breathing problems.

CVA (Cerebrovascular Accidents)

Condition that happens when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted

Cyanotic (Cyanosis)

Bluish, grayish, or purplish color of the skin or mucous membranes caused by not enough oxygen

Delegation

The act of a nurse giving another healthcare worker the authority to perform a patient care task.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin, typically causing redness, swelling, itching, and irritation

Dialysis

Medical procedure that removes excess fluid and waste products from the blood when the kidneys no longer work properly

Diastolic

Pressure of the blood against the walls when the heart relaxes; bottom number of a blood pressure

DNR (Do Not Resusciatate)

Type of advance directive instructing medical professionals not to perform CPR is an individuals heartbeat or breathing stops.

Dysphagia

Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing

Dyspnea

Labored or difficulty breathing

Dysuria

Pain or difficulty urinating

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid in the body

Emesis

Act of vomiting or ejecting some or all stomach contents through the mouth

Emesis Basin

Shallow kidney-shaped basin used to collect body fluids or as a container for other liquids

Emphysema

Chronic lung disease that damages the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs and makes it harder to breathe

Enema

Injection of liquid through the anus into the large bowel that causes the intestines to empty

False Imprisonment

Unlawfully restraining an individual to restrict their personal freedom or movement, including threat of physical restraint and actual restraint

Fecal Impaction

Severe constipation where stool becomes hardened and lodged in the intestines, requiring medical intervention

Flatus

Gas in or from the stomach, intestines, or bowels, produced by swallowing air or by bacterial fermentation

Fracture Pan

Flat bedpan used to collect urine and feces from individuals who are immobile or have injuries that make it difficult to sit up.

Geriatrics

Branch of medicine or social science dealing with the heath and care of older people

Gerontology

Scientific study of older age, process of aging, and problems of older adults

Grand Mal Seizure

Convulsions resulting in loss of consciousness

Hand Tremors

Involuntary and rhythmic muscle contractions leading to shaking in the hand

Hemiplegia

Paralysis on one side of the body

HIPAA

Federal laws requiring health information to be kept private and secure and that organization take special steps to protect this information

Huntington’s

Inherited disease characterized by progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain; impacts the individual’s functional abilities and results in movement, thinking, and psychiatric disorders.

Hyperglycemia

Excessively high levels of glucose (sugar) int he bloodstream

Hypertension

Disorder characterized by chronically high blood pressure

Intake and Output (I&O)

Record of fluid a person consumes (intake) and amount of liquid excreted (output)

In-house Transfer

Moving an individual from one room to another

Incontinence

Inability to control the realese of the bladder or bowels

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels by allowing cells to absorb and use glucose for energy

Ischemia

Inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body

Lift/Draw Sheet

Sheet placed under an individual used to move them in bed

Log Roll/Rolling

Method used to turn an individual onto their side in bed where their spine must be kept in alignment throughout the move

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Sheet providing information on the safe use and hazards of the chemicals as well as the steps to take if the chemical is splashed, sprayed, or ingested

Medical Asepsis

Practicies aimed at reducing the number of microorganisms and preventing the spread of infection; also known as clean technique

Metastasis

Spreading of cancerous cells to other parts of the body other than where the cancer started

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Complex disease of the central nervous system that destroys the protective fatty tissue that surrounds the nerves and causes communication problems between the brain and body.

Nasal Cannula

Tubing used to deliver supplemental oxygen or increased airflow to an individual needing respiratory help

Nosocomial (Nosocomial Infection)

Illness that started during a stay in a hospital; also known as hospital-acquired illness

NPO

Medical abbreviation for nothing by mouth; medical order to hold all foods and fluids

Objective/ Objective Data

Information that a healthcare worker observes or measures during a physical exam or care, factual information

Ombudsman

A neutral and independent representative who investigates and resolves complaints, ensuring fairness and accountability in organizations, government agencies, or healthcare facilities.

Ostomy (Colostomy) Bag

Pouch that collects body waste (feces or urine) from an ostomy (surgically created opening from an area inside the body to the outside)

Palliative Care

Specialized medical care focusing on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of serious illness

Perineal Care

Care of genitals and anal area

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

Circulatory condition in which narrowed blood vessels reduce blood flow to the limbs

Peristalsis

Involuntary constriction and relaxation of the intestines that creates wavelike movements that push the contents through

Pleura

One of the two membranes around the lungs

Podiatrist

Doctor specializing in the care of feet

Positioning Resident Fowler’s

Resident is seated in a semi-upright posture with the head of the bed elevated at an angle between 30 - 90 degrees

Positioning Resident Prone

The resident is lying on their stomach, face down

Positioning Resident Sims

Semi-prone lying position in which the patient is placed on their left side with the right knee flexed and drawn toward the chest, while the left arm is positioned behind the body

Positioning Resident Supine

The resident is lying flat on their back

Postmortem Care

Care of the body after death, that includes cleaning and positioning

Pressure/Decubitus Ulcer, Bed Sore

Serious wound caused by the body pressing against a hard surface for a long time

Prostate Gland

Walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis that secretes fluids that nourishes and protects the sperm

Quadriplegia

Paralysis that affects both arms, both legs, and the trunk of the body

RACE

Acronym to help healthcare workers respond during a fire:

• Rescue

• Activate

• Alarm

• Contain

• Extinguish/Evacuate

Reality Orientation

Type of therapy using calendars, clocks, signs, and lists to help individuals with Alzheimers remember who they are, where they are, and the time and date

Renewal

Resuming an activity after interruption

Restorative Care

care given after rehabilitation to maintain a person’s function

Resuscitation

Action of reviving someone from an unconscious state

Sitz Bath

Warm soak of the perineal area to clean wounds and reduce pain an swelling

Sputum

A thick mucus or phlegm produced in the lungs and airways, which is coughed up and expelled through the mouth

STAT

Indicates a task, medication, or procedure that must be performed, without delay, due to urgency

Subjective/Subjective Data

Information provided by the individual to a healthcare professional based on their perceptions or opinions

Sundowning

Condition when a person gets restless and agiated in the late afternoon, evening, or night

Systolic

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart is contracting to pump blood through the circulatory system. The top number in Blood Pressure

Tachycardia

Heart rate over 1000 beats per minute

Thrombus

Blood clot in the vascular system that slows or stops blood flow

TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack)

Medical emergency where disruption to blood flow to the brain happens, causing a lack of oxygen; also known as mini-stroke

Urethral

Tube that extends from the bladder to the outside of the body to excrete urine, also excretes semen in men

Varicose Veins

Enlarged and twisted veins, usually in the legs