Nurse Aide Vocabulary
Unaffected
"good" side
Stress
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
Cerebral Vascular Accident
(stroke) is the disruption of the blood supply to the brain, resulting in neurological dysfunction
CC's in an Oz
30cc's in an oz
Clergy
A body of officials who perform religious services, such as priests, ministers or rabbis.
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
Diabetes
A condition of abnormal use of glucose, usually caused by too little insulin or lack of response to insulin.
Self-Esteem
A realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself.
Physician's Authority
By authority of the MD
Basic Skin Care
Clean and moisturize your skin daily. Block the sun. Seek professional help for skin problems. Eat a balanced diet. Self screening.
Perineal Care
Cleaning the genital and anal areas; pericare
Simple Fracture
Closed - Fracture does not pierce through the skin
Vital Signs
Determinations that provide information about body conditions; include temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
Urine
Fluid wastes removed from the body by the kidneys
Mechanical Soft Diet
Foods that are prepared with blender, food processors, or cutting utentsils. Does not limit spices, fat, & other fiber. Only texture of food changes.
Constipation
Hard, slow stools that are difficult to eliminate; often a result of too little fiber in the diet
Partial Assistance
Helping a patient who can do some things for themselves.
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Personal Items
Items that are primarily for the comfort of the pt and are not medically necessary.
Hydration
Maintenance of body fluid balance
Bathing
Maintenance of proper hygiene
Diastolic
Measurement of blood pressure taken when the heart is at rest; measurement of the constant pressure in arteries.
Rectal
Measurement of body temperature taken in the rectum
Pathogens
Microbes that cause disease
Sharps Container
OSHA required receptacle for the proper disposal of sharps
Rights
Powers or privileges granted to people either by an agreement among themselves or by law
Alzheimer's
Progressive mental deterioration characterized by severe memory loss
Tube Feeding
Provision of food to the stomach through a tube (nose or small intestine)
Range of Motion
ROM movement of a joint to the extent possible without causing pain
Wandering Resident
Resident that wanders, or tries to escape from a facility
Privacy
Right of a person to keep part of their life not open to the public.
Telephone etiquette
Set of skills and attitudes used when answering the phone that allows the assistant to sound alert, interested, and concerned.
Bacteria
Single celled, no nucleus, live everywhere; can be good and bad bacteria
Burnout
State of emotional and physical exhaustion, lowered productivity, and feelings of isolation, often caused by work-related pressures
Axillary Temperature
Temperature taken at the armpit
Fluid Intake
The average healthy adult will take in about 3 1/2 quarts of fluid every day. This is called,
Depression
The condition of feeling apathetic, hopeless, and withdrawn from others.
Documentation
The documents that are required for something, or that give evidence or proof of something.
Foot Drop
The foot falls down at the ankle; permanent plantar flexion
Bed Height
The level of a patient bed
Grieving Process
The process by which people cope with death and dying., denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
Contamination
The process of becoming unclean
Circulation
The process of moving the blood in the veins and arteries throughout the body
Respirations
The process of taking in oxygen (inspiration) and expelling carbon dioxide (expiration) by way of the lungs and air passages
Body Mechanics
The proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving and preventing injury
Fire Safety
The risk control measures used to protect people and property from the adverse effects of hostile fires.
Edema
The swelling of body tissues with water, accumulation of fluid
Musculoskeletal System
The system of bones and skeletal muscles that support and protect the body and permit movement.
Sensory System
The system of nerves which carries information from the body's receptors to the CNS
Low Sodium Diet
This type of diet is good for those with heart disease or kidney disease. Low salt diet; No salt added
Weighing
To determine the weight of by or as if by using a scale or balance
Urinary Catheter Bag
a bag that is attatched to the bed or the patients leg that is used to collect urine from an immobile or incintinent patient
Making Occupied Bed
a bed made while a person is in the bed.
Specimen
a bit of tissue or blood or urine that is taken for diagnostic purposes
Tub Bath
a body cleansing by being immersed in water
Indwelling Catheter
a catheter that stays in the bladder for a period of time.
Resident's Chart
a chart ,that must be kept confidential, that gives medical history of a particular patient
Parkinson's
a chronic, progressive disease that affect the brain area that controls movement
Cold Compress
a cold folded and moistened cloth or towel that is placed over a small area of the body for moist cold therapy
Scabies
a contagious skin infection caused by the itch mite
Orientation
a course introducing a new situation or environment
Denial
a defense mechanism in which unpleasant thought or desires are ignored or excluded from consciousness
Fraud
a deliberate deception intended to produce unlawful gain
Clear Liquid Diet
a diet that consists of foods that are liquid at room temperature and leave little residue in the intestine. Ex: Water, Sprite, Ginger Ale, all beverages without any residue, broth, Jello
Mentally Impaired
a disorder that affects a person's mind, causing the person to act in unusual ways, experience emotional difficulties or both
Hallucination
a false perception of reality; a delusion
Insulin
a hormone produced by the pancreas and released in response to high blood glucose following a meal. Insulin promotes the use and storage of glucose by the body's tissues
Ombudsman
a legal advocate for residents who visits the facility, listens to residents, and decides what course of action to take if there is a problem.
Walker
a light enclosing framework (trade name Zimmer) with rubber castors or wheels and handles
Scale
a measuring instrument for weighing
Gastric Feedings
a medical device which is inserted into a patient's stomach to supplement his or her diet.
Bed Cradle
a metal or plastic frame suspended over the hospital bed to keep the weight of the linen off the resident's body
Confused Resident
a patient with a distorted mental status
Suicide
a person who kills himself intentionally
Hospice Care
a philosophy of end-of-life care that is committed to maintaining quality of life for terminally ill patients by keeping them as alert, pain free, and engaged with their families as possible.
Foot Board
a piece of wood or plastic placed at the end of the hospital bed and used for positioning the resident's feet
Dialysis
a procedure to remove waste products from the blood of patients whose kidneys no longer function
Mask
a protective covering worn over the face
Paranoia
a psychological disorder characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur
Flatus
a reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus
Appropriate Response
a reply that is made that is suitable for the circumstances
Disoriented Resident
a resident that does not know: who he or anyone is (person), town/city (place),current year (time)
Threatening Resident
a resident who is angered and may or may not become violent
Fowler's Position
a semi-sitting position; the head of the bed is raised between 45 and 60 degrees
Dehydration
a serious reduction in the body's water content
Bedpan
a shallow vessel used by a bedridden patient for defecation and urination
Dementia
a slowly progressive decline in mental abilities, including memory, thinking, and judgment, that is often accompanied by personality changes
Cane
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk, held on strong side, goes forward with weak side before the strong side step after
Anxiety
a strong feeling of worry
Stroke
a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
Pain
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
Immune System
a system (including the thymus and bone marrow and lymphoid tissues) that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response
Weight
a system of units used to express the weight of something
Gastrostomy Tube
a tube which is surgically placed directly into the client's stomach and provides another route for administering nutrition and medications
Ice Bag
a waterproof bag filled with ice: applied to the body (especially the head) to cool or reduce swelling
Affected Side
a weakened side from a stroke or injury; also called the "weaker" or "involved" side.
Care Plan
a written plan for each resident created by a nurse; outlines the steps taken by the staff to help the resident reach his or her goals
Osteoporosis
abnormal loss of bony tissue resulting in fragile porous bones attributable to a lack of calcium
Fecal Impaction
accumulation of hardened feces in the rectum or lower colon which the person cannot move
ADL
activites of daily living
Progressive
advancing in severity
Call Light
allows the patient to call for help
Contracture
an abnormal and usually permanent contraction of a muscle
Hearing Aid
an electronic device that amplifies sound and is worn to compensate for poor hearing
Extremity
an external body part that projects from the body
Terminal Illness
an illness or injury for which there is no reasonable expectation of recovery
Empathy
an understanding of another's feelings
Accidents
an unfortunate event resulting from carelessness or ignorance
Phone Etiquette
answer the phone promptly and kindly, speak properly,give caller undivided attention,speak clearly,be courteous,ask permission from caller to place them on hold, and never allow an angry caller to upset you remain calm and composed
Pressure Ulcers
any lesion caused by unrelieved pressure that results in damage to underlying tissue; formerly called decubitus ulcers, bed sores, pressure sores
Cancer
any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division
Resident Identification
any means of determining the residents identity
Projection
any structure that branches out from a central support
Free from Disease
aseptic
Cast
bandage consisting of a firm covering (often made of plaster of Paris) that immobilizes broken bones while they heal
Constrict
become tight or as if tight, draw together; render narrower; shrink
Occupied Bed
bed with a patient in it
Admitting Resident
beginning process of a patient; admission of a resident into a long term care facility
Unethical Behavior
behavior that does not conform to generally accepted social norms concerning beneficial and harmful actions
Body Alignment
body positioning that promotes proper body functioning; posture, the way the head, trunk, arms, and legs are aligned with one another; posture
Personal Care
care for someone who is disabled or is otherwise unable to care for themselves
Hair Care
care for the hair: the activity of washing or cutting or curling or arranging the hair
Oral Hygiene
care of the mouth and teeth
Oral Care
care of the mouth, teeth, and gums.
Toileting Schedule
care planned scheduled times to take resident to bathroom as part of intervention to decrease incontinence
Morning Care
care provided in the morning, to ready the person for the day
Restorative Care
care that helps person to regain their health strength, & independence
CVA
cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
Developmental Process
changes & functions occuring during the early years
Converting Measures
changing one unit of measurement to another unit of measurement
Wheelchair Safety
checking the wheelchair brakes, making sure the "R" has proper alarms, they are informed how to use the wheelchair
COPD
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
IV Care
cleaning around the IV site while refraining from tugging or putting strain on the IV or tubing.
Mouth Care
cleaning the teeth of a peron in the moring and at night; also sometimes after eating a meal
Sexual Harassment
comments, gestures, or physical contacts of a sexual nature that are deliberate, repeated, and unwelcome
Dry Skin
common in the aging person because of the decline in size, number and output of sweat and sebacious glands
Nonverbal Communication
communication using body movements, gestures, and facial expressions rather than speech
Liquid Diet
consist of liquids ( a liquid is described as food that is fluid at room temperature or becomes liquid at room temperature
Prosthesis
corrective equipment consisting of a replacement for a part of the body
Protective Equipment
cover gowns, face protection devices, air filter respirators, gloves
Foot Care
daily foot check for blisters, reddened areas, swelling, providing nail clipping and applying ointment etc
Rationalization
defense mechanism that offers self-justifying explanations in place of the real, more threatening, unconscious reasons for one's actions
Social Needs
desires to interact and affiliate with others and to feel wanted by others
Gait Belt
device used to transfer people from one position to another or from one thing to another. For example you would use a gait belt to move a patient from a standing position to a wheelchair
Dysphagia
difficulty swallowing
Confidentiality
discretion in keeping secret information
Emphysema
disease in which the tissues of the lungs lose elasticity, making breathing very difficult
Disposing of Contaminated Materials
dispose of in a designated biohazard bag/container
Preventing Falls
do fall assesment on every patient, keep bed low wheels locked and bed rails up, call button near bed, non skid footwear and instruct client properly
Medications
drugs that are administered to a patient who is sick or in pain
Death and Dying
dying: the process of becoming dead death: the end of the dying process
TED Hose
elastic stocking to be worn for 8 hours to prevent swelling
Resident Independence
encouraging the patient to do ADL on their own
Post Mortem Care
examination of the body after death
Elastic Stockings
exert pressure on veins to promote blood flow, helping to prevent blood clot
Cataracts
eye disease in which the lens becomes covered in an opaque film that affects sight, eventually causing total blindness.
Neglect
failure to take care of someone's basic needs, such as clothing, food, or love
Vomitus
food and fluids expelled from the stomach through the mouth; emesis
Aseptic
free from disease-causing microorganisms
Security
freedom from anxiety or fear
Hearing Impaired
functional but not effective hearing
Oxygen
gas that enters the blood through the lungs and travels to the heart to be pumped via arteries to all body cells
Bladder Training
goal is to gain control of urination done as directed by nurse and care plan person uses toilet/pan at frequent regular intervals and is slowly increased. Person has catheter which is clamped to prevent urine flow for periods of time (1-2hrs at first then up to 3-4hrs) to train bladder
Abduction Pillow
goes between the legs; it helps keep the legs spread
Skin Integrity
good skin condition
Patience
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
Spiritual Needs
helping patients develop awareness and maintain self awarness. lifes meaning and purpose, relationship to others, and relationship to a higher power.
Maslow
hierarchy of needs
Secretions
hormones that are essential for normal body functions released into interstitial fluids where they move into bloodstream-- altering the metabolic activities of many different tissues and organs simultaneously
Back Strain
hurting ones back
Respiratory Symptoms
hypoventilation, rapid shallow respirations, increased blood pressure, dyspnea, headache, hyperkalemia, disorentation, increased cardiac output, muscle weakness and hypoxia
Moving
in motion
Arthritis
inflammation of a joint or joints
Withdrawn
introverted; remote
Incontinence
involuntary urination or defecation
Nail Care
involves keeping the fingernails and toenails clean and trimmed
Intake and Output
is one tool to assess fluid status by keeping a record of a client't fluid intake and fluid loss over a a 24-hour period.
Personal Protective Equipment
items such as gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear, and hair coverings are used to protect the nurse from infectious organisms
Personal Belongings
items that belong to the resident
Isolation
keeping an infected person in the hospital or staying at home in bed when suffering form a disease as a way of controlling the transmission of infectious diseases
Elevate Head
keeping the head raised above its normal level
Blindness
lack of sight
Falls
leading cause of accidental death among elderly people
Eye Glasses
lens worn to aid vision
Aphasia
loss of speech due to injury or illness
Assistive Device
make certain tasks(walking, eating, dressing) easier for person with disability
Linen
material used to make bed-sheets
Systolic
measurement of blood pressure taken when the heart is contracting and forcing blood into the arteries
Standard Precautions
measures to prevent exposure to blood or body fluids that may spread disease
Life Support
medical equipment that assists or replaces important bodily functions and so enables a patient to live who otherwise might not survive
Geriatrics
medical study of the elderly
Laxatives
medications or foods given to stimulate bowel movements
Restraints
methods of restricting a person's freedom of movement, physical activity, or normal access to his or her body
Microorganisms
microscopic living organisms
Resident Abuse
mistreatment of a resident usualy involving mental or physical attacks
Ethics
moral principles or values
Vision Change
most often the loss of vision over time
Hand Tremors
movement of hands uncontrollable
Positioning resident
moving the resident
Reposition Resident
moving the resident to to make them comfortable and to prevent pressure ulcers
Body Language
nonverbal communication through gestures, facial expressions, behaviors, and posture
Non-Contagious Disease
not readily transmitted from one host to another
NPO
nothing by mouth
Bargaining
occurs when patients accept death but want more time to live, making a deal, in return for a cure, they will fulfill promises
Hemiplegia
paralysis of one side of the body
Hearing Loss
partial or complete loss of hearing
Memory Loss
partial or total loss of memory
Passive
peacefully resistant in response to injustice
Amputees
people with a loss of a limb
Gloves
personal protective equipment: covers the hand and wrist
Urethral
pertaining to the urethra
Abuse
physical or emotional harm to someone
Frequent Urination
polyuria, urinating occurs more often than usual
Infection Control
practices and procedures that prevent the spread of infection
Alternating Pressure Mattress
pressure can be reduced under bony prominences but increased under others
Dying
process of decline in body functions, resulting in death of an organism, to suffer total and irreversible loss of the bodily attributes and functions
Bowel Program
program that manipulates factor within a person's control (timing of defecation, exercise) to produce a regular pattern of comfortable defecation with medications or enemas
Radial
pulse site taken at the wrist
Abdominal Thrust
quick, upward pulls into the diaphragm to force out an obstruction blocking the airway "Heimlich Manuever"
Measuring Temperature
recording the residents body temperature
Charge Nurse
registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;supervises the other nurses for a particular shift
Combative Resident
resident with violent or hostile behavior
Resident's Bill of Rights
rights guaranteed under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) to residents in long-term care.
Sundowning
signs, symptoms, and behaviors of Alzheimers Disease increase during hours of darkness
Diabetic
someone who has diabetes
Transfer
someone who transfers or is transferred from one position to another
Compensation
something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)
Adaptive Devices
special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled perform ADLs; also called assistive devices
Competency Evaluation Program
state operated program to certify skills persons wanting to be a nurse assistant
Urinary Problems
structural, autoimmune, cancerous, or infections
Cardiac Arrest
sudden cessation of cardiac output and effective circulation, which requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Seizure
sudden, transient disturbances in brain function resulting from abnormal firing of nerve impulses (may or may not be associated with convulsion)
Ileostomy
surgical procedure that creates an opening from the ileum through the abdominal wall to function as an anus
Congestive Heart Failure
syndrome where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for oxygen and nutrients; as a result, fluid is retained and accumulates in the ankles and legs
Respiratory System
system responsible for taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide using the lungs
Body Fluids
tears, saliva, sputum (mucous coughed up), urine, feces, semen, vaginal secretions, and pus or other wound drainage
Paralysis
temporary or permanent loss of motor control
Unconscious
that part of the mind wherein psychic activity takes place of which the person is unaware
Mobility
the ability to move easily from place to place
Admission
the act of allowing to enter; entrance granted by permission, by provision or existence of pecuniary means, or by the removal of obstacles
Dressing
the act of applying a bandage, the activity of getting dressed
Feeding
the act of consuming food
Listening
the act of hearing attentively
Clarification
the act of making clear or understandable, an explanation
Religious Service
the act of public worship following prescribed rules
Shaving
the act of removing hair with a razor
Elimination
the act of removing or getting rid of something, Act of removal of materials from the body; in the digestive system, the removal of indigestible materials.
Smoking
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
Ambulation
the act of walking
Bathing Resident
the act of washing a patients body
Resident Unit
the area of the resident lives in the hospital
Breathing
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation
Communication
the clear exchange of ideas and information
Impairment
the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
Responding to Resident Behavior
the correct way to respond to the behavior of a resident, wheather it is good or bad
Temperature
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
Objective
the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)
Infection
the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms and their multiplication which can lead to tissue damage and disease
Physical Needs
the most basic needs, including food, water, clothing, shelter and sleep
Aging Process
the natural occurrences in the body that produce the changes associated with growing old
Discharging Resident
the official release of a resident from a health care facility to their home; the team helps prepare the resident to leave
Reporting
the oral account of care and observations
Integumentary System
the organ system that forms a protective covering on the outside of the body, the skin and its accessory structures such as hair and nails
Digestion
the organic process by which food is converted into substances that can be absorbed into the body
Central Nervous System
the portion of the vertebrate nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
Bed Position
the position the bed is in. also controlled by buttons on the control of the bed.
Blood Pressure
the pressure that is exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels
Sterilization
the procedure of making some object free of live bacteria or other microorganisms (usually by heat or chemical means)
Disinfection
the process of destroying pathogens
Rehabilitation
the process of restoring or bringing to a healthy, useful state
Intake
the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
Respectful Treatment
the proper way that a nursing assistant should treat a resident
Overbed Table
the resident eats from and/or places their personal things on
Pulse
the rhythmic contraction and expansion of the arteries with each beat of the heart
Sexual Needs
the sexual needs or desires of a resident
Hand Washing
the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection
Anger
the state of being angry, occurs when the patient is no longer able to deny death, stage in dying process
Nutrition
the study of nutrients and how they are used by the body
Resident's Environment
the surroundings that best suit a particular resident
Urinary System
the system that includes all organs involved in reproduction and in the formation and voidance of urine
Psychological Needs
the urge to belong and to give and receive love, and the urge to acquire esteem
Gestures
the ways in which people use their bodies to communicate with one another
Comfort Care
therapies used to insure that a patient is pain free for the rest of his or life
Antiembolic Stockings
they help with ciculation and apply pressure to the legs. they have holes in the toes, so to let the nurse look at the feet to observe circulation and they don't have to be removed
Basic Needs
things people must have to live, Food, clothing, and shelter
Activities
things that are done for enjoyment, often as part of education and often in groups.
Resident Belongings
things that belong to the resident
Preventing Injury
this is what the client can to to prevent them from recieving further injury for example; wearing supports on injured areas.
Catheter Care
thorough cleaning of the perineal area (especially around the urethra) and the catheter tubing that extends outside of the body, to prevent infection
Flexed
to bend or stretch something
Nursing Assistant's Role
to help with ADLs and aid the patient with day to day treatment
Reminiscing
to recall past experiences, events
Mistreatment
treated badly or abusively
Treating Resident with Respect
treating the "R" the way we'd want to be treated. Respecting their rights
Lift/ Draw Sheets
turning sheets that are placed under residents who are unable to assist with turning, lifting, or moving up in bed.
Agitation
uneasiness; commotion, excitement
cueing
use of signals to indicate that a certain behavior is desired or that a certain behavior should stop
Contact Isolation
used when caring for people infected with pathogens that can be transmitted directly or indirectly
Partial Bath
washing the face, underarms, hands perianal (genitals, anal)
Input and Output
what comes in and out of the body
Care Impaired
when a patient is lacking care
Shearing
when skin sticks to a surface while muscles slide in the direction the body is moving
Abandonment
withdrawing medical care from a patient without providing sufficient notice to the patient.
Slander
words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
Medical Record
written account of a persons condition and response to treatment & care