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