CNA State Exam Vocabulary

Anemia

A condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin, or in total volume.

Apical

Pertaining to the apex of the heart, or bottom. Tip of left ventricle

Axillary temperature

Temperature taken at the armpit

Activity of Daily Living (ADL )

Activities of daily living; bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, and moving.

Antiseptic

Substance that slows or stops the growth of microorganisms

Apnea

temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR

Colostomy

A surgical opening into the large intestine to carry feces out.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD; A group of lung diseases in which the bronchial airflow is obstructed, making it hard to breathe.

Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)

cerebrovascular accident, loss of blood flow to part of the brain causes damage to the tissue. AKA Stroke

Dialysis

purification of blood by separation of particles. Treatment used to remove toxins from blood in kidney failure.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

DNR, code status in which the person decides they do not want CPR or intubation

Dysphagia

difficulty or discomfort in swallowing

Dyspnea

difficult of labored breathing

Dysuria

discomfort or burning while urinating

Edema

swelling caused by excess liquid

emesis

process of vomiting

flatus

gas in stomach or intestines, passing of gas.

hemiplegia

paralysis of one side of the body

hyperglycemia

excess glucose in the bloodstream, high blood sugar

MSDS

material safety data sheet, provides information on substances used in the workplace in case of spilling or contact with skin/ eyes.

multiple sclerosis

A chronic disease of the central nervous system marked by damage to the myelin sheath. Plaques occur in the brain and spinal cord causing tremor, weakness, incoordination, paresthesia, and disturbances in vision and speech

NPO

nothing by mouth

ombudsman

an official chose to investigate maladministration. A representative for elderly who investigates mistreatment or complaints.

osteoporosis

a condition in which the bones become brittle, fragile, and thin due to loss of tissue

palliative care

care specialized for patients with serious illness. Focused on comfort.

peristalsis

movement in the digestive tract of food

quadriplegia

paralysis of all four limbs

abductor wedge

Designed to separate the legs of a patient. It is often used after hip replacement surgery.

acute

characterized by sharpness or severity of sudden onset

adaptive device

Special equipment or devices used by the resident. Allows the resident to be more independent in managing their own ADLs. Ex. adaptive eating utensils

advanced directive

Advance directives are legal documents that allows an individual to spell out decisions about end-of-life care.

affected side

referring to the side of the body impacted by a stroke

Alzhiemer's Disease

progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die.

ambulation

walking

angina

chest pain

aphasia

Difficulty with speech

aspiration

when something you swallow "goes down the wrong way" and enters your airway or lungs. Choking.

assistive device

maintain or improve an individual's functioning and independence to facilitate participation and to enhance overall well-being. Ex: walkers, canes, wheelchairs.

bed cradle

Blanket Lifter for Foot of Bed. Keeps Blankets Off Feet

body mechanics

The ways we move as we go about our daily lives. Proper body mechanics help to reduce fatigue and injury

body alignment

how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees and ankles relate and line up with each other. Proper alignment of the body puts less stress on the spine.

bladder training

important form of behavior therapy that can be effective in treating urinary incontinence

biohazard

a biological substance that poses a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily humans

basic needs

According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: physiological (food and clothing), safety (job security), love and belonging needs (friendship), esteem, and self-actualization.

cardiac arrest

When the heart tops beating suddenly, often a result of heart attack.

care plan

helps nurses and other care team members organize aspects of patient care according to a timeline.

cataract

cloudy area in the lens of the eye that leads to a decrease in vision

cc's in an ounce

30 cc's or mL's in an ounce

cardiovascular system

consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood

central nervous system

consists of the brain and spinal cord

chemical restraint

intentional use of any medications to subdue, sedate, or restrain an individual

chemical disinfection

adding a disinfectant (generally a strong oxidant) to the water, which reacts with the organic matter and microbial organisms

chemotherapy

drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells, such as cancer, in the body.

circulatory system

made up of blood vessels that carry blood away from and towards the heart

clear liquid diet

Diet used following surgery. Only clear liquids including juice, broth, popsicles, jello, etc.

clergy

People ordained for religious duties, such as priest, chaplain, pastor, etc

cognitive impairment

when a person has trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their everyday life

cognition

mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

coma

state of prolonged unconsciousness that can be caused by a variety of problems — traumatic head injury, stroke, brain tumor, drug or alcohol intoxication, or even an underlying illness, such as diabetes or an infection.

congestive heart failure

chronic progressive condition that affects the pumping power of the heart muscle. May lead to fluid overload of the body and/or edema.

defense mechanisms

mental processes that protect individuals from strong or stressful emotions and situations. Sometimes an unhealthy coping mechanism.

Confidentiality

the act of keeping information private, not to be released to unauthorized individuals.

chronic

Long-standing, constant. Opposite of acute

contracture

The lack of joint mobility caused by abnormal shortening of a muscle

Delegation

transferring responsibility to a person for a specific task. Often times the nurse delegates tasks to the CNA.

Communicable

A disease that may be transmitted directly or indirectly from one individual to another

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body

adaptive

Able to change as needed.

adaptive equipment

Items such as eating utensils which are altered to make them easier to use by residents with functional limitations

Abandonment

Leaving a patient after care has been initiated and before the patient has been transferred to someone with equal or greater medical training.

bed position

physical position of the bed so that the resident is in a comfortable position

behavioral care plan

principles for managing a patient (treat behavior/mental)

abdominal thrusts

a method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of someone who is choking

abuse

the physical, mental, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of one person by another

agitation

a state of anxiety or nervous excitement

Bacteria

single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes. Infection typically treatable with antibiotics.

bedrails

a rail along the side of a bed connecting the headboard to the footboard

body language

nonverbal communication through gestures, facial expressions, behaviors, and posture

bone loss

osteoporosis or osteopenia, brittle bones.

Beliefs

specific ideas that people hold to be true

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)

A serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles.

amputee

someone who has had a limb removed by amputation

Anti-embolic stockings / TED hose / compression stockings

special stockings used to help prevent swelling and blood clots and aid circulation; also called elastic stockings

arthritis

painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.

bed bath

bath given to a resident in bed

behavior

everything we do that can be directly observed

blindness

The absence of sight

bowel program

The establishment of a "habit program" or a specific time to empty the bowel.

care impaired

doing most if not all of the ADLs for an impaired resident

catheter care

The cleansing and care of catheter site.

charge nurse

registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;supervises the other nurses for a particular shift

circulation

Movement of blood through the body

conduct

behavior

confused resident

A resident who is unable to think with clarity or act with understanding.

constrict

to squeeze tightly

demanding resident

A patient or resident that continually or repeatedly issues "orders" and "demands" to the medical team

dentures

artificial teeth

development

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

discharging resident

The process of a resident exiting a facility.