RCC CNA Modules 12 & 14 Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering emergency procedures, fall management, restraints, therapy services, level of assistance, and range of motion terms from RCC CNA Modules 12 & 14.

Signs of Distress

Objective findings indicating distress, such as excessive bleeding, rapid or decreased respirations/heart rate, altered blood pressure, nonresponsiveness, or altered mental state.

Symptoms of Distress

Subjective complaints felt by the resident, such as difficulty breathing, feeling the throat closing, chest pain or pressure, numbness/tingling, nausea, or visual disturbances.

Partial Airway Obstruction

A blockage where the resident is still exchanging some air; the nursing assistant should encourage coughing, monitor for complete obstruction, and stay close without interfering.

Complete Airway Obstruction

A severe obstruction indicated by little to no air exchange with a high-pitched wheeze or no sound, requiring immediate EMS activation and abdominal thrusts or the Five-and-Five approach.

Chest Thrusts

An intervention performed over the sternum to clear a complete airway obstruction in an obese or pregnant resident.

Cardiac Arrest

A condition in which the heart is unable to contract and pump blood throughout the body.

Defibrillator

A common tool used during cardiac arrest that increases the survival rate.

Syncope

A temporary, sudden loss of consciousness, usually caused by a decreased level of oxygen in the brain.

Absence Seizure

A seizure affecting a small area of the brain where the person remains conscious for seconds to a couple minutes; symptoms include staring, repetitive extremity movement, or aphasia.

Generalized (Grand Mal) Seizure

A seizure affecting large parts of the brain in which the person loses consciousness, collapses, and shakes uncontrollably.

Status Epilepticus

A life-threatening seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes that carries risks of brain damage, hyperthermia, cardiac arrest, and respiratory arrest.

Internal Hemorrhage

Bleeding within the body that may result from trauma or excessive anticoagulants; signs include blood in urine/feces, bruising, distended abdomen, and black tarry stools.

Arterial Bleeding

Bleeding that is bright red and spurts with each heartbeat.

Venous Bleeding

Bleeding that is darker red and flows steadily.

Shock

Disruption of the cardiovascular system in which the heart does not pump blood effectively and the body does not receive adequate oxygen.

Cardiogenic Shock

A type of shock where the heart cannot pump effectively, with potential cause being myocardial infarction.

Anaphylactic Shock

A type of shock where blood vessels dilate uncontrollably, with potential cause being an allergic reaction.

Hypovolemic Shock

A type of shock caused by extreme blood loss, with potential causes including gunshot wounds or motor vehicle accidents.

Superficial Burn

A burn involving only the epidermis; skin appears reddened, swollen, and very sensitive.

Partial-Thickness Burn

A burn involving the epidermis and dermis; skin is very painful, red, swollen, and blistered.

Full-Thickness Burn

A burn involving the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, which may affect deep muscles and tendons; may not hurt initially due to nerve damage.

Restraint

Anything that prevents free movement in the environment, which may be physical, chemical, or environmental; restraints are NOT safety devices.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Therapy service focusing on gross motor skills for ADLs, such as walking, stairs, and fall prevention.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Therapy service focusing on fine motor rehabilitation and retraining for ADLs/IADLs, such as bathing, dressing, washing clothes, and cooking.

Speech Therapy

Evaluation and treatment conducted by a speech-language pathologist for speech, language, and swallowing disorders.

Restorative Care

Activity that maintains a resident's level of ability, provided by a nursing assistant or restorative aide.

Stand-by Assist

Ambulation assistance where the resident needs occasional help; the nursing assistant remains close, gives verbal encouragement, and may use a gait belt for extra safety.

Active Range of Motion (AROM)

Joint exercises where the resident actively participates and moves the joint themselves while the assistant gives verbal reminders and encouragement.

Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

Joint exercises where the nursing assistant physically moves the joint because the resident cannot help or can do very little.

Flexion

A range of motion movement that decreases the angle of a joint.

Extension

A range of motion movement that increases the angle of a joint.

Hyperextension

Moving a joint posterior to the anatomical position.

Plantarflexion

Movement of the foot during ROM exercises where toes point downward.

Dorsiflexion

Movement of the foot during ROM exercises where toes point upward.

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the body's midline.

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward the body's midline.