- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- The routine self-care tasks a person performs each day, including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and moving from place to place. Assisting residents with ADLs is a core CNA responsibility.
- Vital Signs
- Measurable indicators of basic body function—temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure—that a CNA routinely measures and records to monitor a patient's condition.
- NNAAP
- The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, a standardized competency exam used by many states to certify nursing assistants. It consists of a written (or oral) knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation.
- Written (Knowledge) Examination
- The multiple-choice portion of the NNAAP that tests a candidate's knowledge of nursing assistant principles and procedures. It contains a fixed number of items to be completed within a set time limit.
- Skills Evaluation
- The hands-on portion of the NNAAP in which a candidate performs a set of randomly selected nursing assistant skills while being observed and scored by an evaluator. Passing this part is required in addition to the written test.
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- The basic self-care tasks a person performs each day, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, and eating. Assisting residents with ADLs is a core responsibility of a nursing assistant.
- Standard Precautions
- A set of infection-control practices—such as hand hygiene and wearing gloves—applied to all patients regardless of diagnosis to prevent the spread of germs. They treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
- Vital Signs
- Measurements of the body's basic functions, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. CNAs frequently measure and record vital signs and report abnormal values to the nurse.
- Range of Motion (ROM)
- Exercises that move a joint through its full extent of movement to maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness or contractures. They may be active (done by the resident) or passive (done by the aide).
- Body Mechanics
- The proper use of the body when lifting, moving, or positioning residents to prevent injury to both the worker and the patient. Good body mechanics include bending at the knees and keeping loads close to the body.
- Restorative Care
- Care aimed at helping a resident regain or maintain the highest possible level of independent function after illness or injury. It emphasizes encouraging residents to do as much for themselves as they safely can.
- Resident Rights
- The legal and ethical protections guaranteed to people in long-term care, including privacy, dignity, freedom from abuse, and the right to make decisions about their own care. Nursing assistants must respect and uphold these rights at all times.
- Aspiration
- The accidental inhalation of food, liquid, or other material into the airway or lungs, which can cause choking or pneumonia. Proper positioning during eating helps reduce the risk of aspiration.
- Range of Motion (ROM)
- The full extent to which a joint can move; CNAs perform ROM exercises to maintain joint flexibility and prevent stiffness in patients with limited mobility.
- Body Mechanics
- The proper use of posture, alignment, and movement—such as bending at the knees and keeping loads close to the body—to lift and move patients safely without injuring oneself.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- A healthcare worker trained and certified to provide basic patient care—such as bathing, feeding, and mobility assistance—under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
- NNAAP
- The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, the standardized examination used by many states to certify nursing assistants, consisting of both a written (knowledge) portion and a hands-on skills portion.
- Standard Precautions
- A set of infection-control practices—such as hand hygiene and wearing gloves—applied to every patient to prevent the spread of pathogens, treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Barrier items such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn by a CNA to reduce exposure to infectious materials while providing care.
- Transfer
- The act of safely moving a patient from one surface or position to another, such as from a bed to a wheelchair, often using body mechanics or assistive devices like a gait belt.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- A healthcare worker trained and certified to provide basic patient care under the supervision of a licensed nurse. CNAs assist with daily activities such as bathing, feeding, and mobility.
- Pressure Ulcer (Bedsore)
- An injury to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, commonly over bony areas; regular repositioning by a CNA helps prevent them.
- Restorative Care
- Care aimed at helping a patient regain or maintain the highest possible level of independent function, for example encouraging self-feeding or independent walking.
- Resident's Rights
- The legal and ethical protections guaranteeing patients in long-term care dignity, privacy, and the freedom to make choices about their own care, which CNAs are obligated to uphold.