Certified Nursing Assistant Exam: Glossary of Important Terms

abduction Movement of the limbs to the side, away from the middle of the body 
abuse Mistreatment 
adduction Movement of the limbs to the middle of the body 
ADEs Adverse drug effects 
ADLs Activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, grooming, walking, and toileting 
advance directive Legal and lay documents that specify certain aspects of care for individuals should they become unable to communicate their preferences 
AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; late-stage infection by HIV 
airborne transmission Carried by air 
Alzheimer’s disease Type of irreversible dementia in which cognitive function is progressively lost 
a.m. care Personal care provided in the morning hours to refresh; usually includes face and handwashing, tooth brushing, grooming, and toileting 
ambulation The act of walking 
ambulation assistive device Any device used to assist in walking such as a cane, crutches, or a walker 
AMI Acute myocardial infarction; heart attack 
analgesia Without pain; reduction of the sensation of pain 
angina Chest pain 
antisepsis The process of inhibiting growth of some microorganisms 
aphasia Any speech deficit or loss of speech, writing, or signs, or loss of ability to comprehend spoken or written language due to disease or injury of the cerebral cortex 
apical pulse The pulse heard at the apex  (tip) of the heart 
arteriosclerotic Narrowing and hardening of an artery 
assault An attempt or threat to touch someone unjustifiably 
atrophy Wasting away; decreased size of an organ or tissue 
autonomy Being independent and self directed without outside control; able to make own decisions 
axilla Armpit 
bacteria Microorganisms 
battery Willful or negligent touching of a person or personal belongings 
beneficence Doing good for others 
biohazardous waste Harmful or potentially harmful wastes 
blood pressure The amount of pressure exerted against an artery when blood flows through it 
blood-borne pathogens Microorganisms carried through the blood stream 
body alignment Positioning the body in a straight line 
body image How a person perceives his or her body 
body mechanics Using the body safely and efficiently 
body temperature The heat produced by the body 
Braden scale A tool used to assess the degree to which a person is at risk for developing a pressure ulcer 
calorie The amount of energy created by a nutrient or food 
carbohydrates Food source; starches and sugars 
cardiac arrest Condition in which the heart stops beating 
caring characteristics Personal characteristics such as empathy and positive regard for others 
cerebral vascular accident (CVA) A brain attack or stroke 
Cheyne-Stokes respirations Breathing cycle of rapid breathing, followed by slow breathing and periods where breathing stops 
chronic illness Illness that lasts for an extended period of time 
coccyx Tailbone 
code of ethics Formal written statement of beliefs of a group’s ideals and values; a set of principles that reflects moral judgments and serves as standard for actions 
colostomy An artificial opening into the colon 
comatose Condition in which a person is unconscious 
commode A portable device used for toileting 
communicable disease A disease that can spread from one person to another 
communication The sharing of thoughts and ideas 
competency The knowledge and skill required to perform tasks correctly 
confidentiality Keeping information about someone private, telling only to other health team members as appropriate 
congestive heart failure Medical condition in which the heart fails to pump blood efficiently, causing fluid and blood to back up into the lungs or extremities 
contact isolation Methods used to decrease exposure to pathogens by direct contact of an infectious person or with contaminated objects in the environment 
contagion Pathogen that can be spread from one person or surface to another 
continuing education Formal learning activities that increase professional knowledge or skill 
contracture A permanent shortening of a muscle resulting in the shortening of associated tendons and ligaments 
convalescence The period of recovery from an illness or injury 
coronary arteries Arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen 
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; methods to restore the heartbeat, circulation, and respirations 
cultural diversity Traditions, attitudes, and behaviors of persons who identify with a particular group or society 
CVA Cerebrovascular accident; stroke 
cyanosis Blue color of the skin due to lack of oxygen to the tissues 
dangling Sitting on the side of the bed with the feet hanging down 
debilitated Weakened or losing strength 
defecate To eliminate solid wastes from the body 
dehydration Lack of fluid in the body 
delirium Reversible, abrupt onset of confusion 
delusion False idea of reality 
dementia Cognitive impairment that is often progressive and permanent 
dentition The type and arrangement of teeth 
dentures Artificial teeth 
diabetes Endocrine disorder marked by inability of the pancreas to change carbohydrates into fuel needed for energy 
diastolic pressure The pressure exerted against the arterial walls when the ventricles are at rest 
Director of Nursing (D.O.N) Licensed nurse who has administrative responsibilities to supervise the nursing care of a facility disoriented Confused as to person, place, time, or circumstance 
DNR Do not resuscitate; order written by physician that prevents nursing staff from performing CPR or other life-saving measures 
domestic violence Harm committed on another family member 
dorsiflexion Bending a body part toward the posterior or the body 
droplet transmission Travel of droplet, or drop, through the expired air 
dysphagia Difficulty or inability to swallow 
dyspnea Difficult breathing 
dysuria Painful or difficult urination 
ecchymosis Bruise 
edema Swelling of tissues caused by accumulation of fluid 
emaciated Extremely thin; wasted 
embolus A substance (blood clot or air) that moves from its original location 
emesis Vomited material 
empathy The ability to communicate understanding of what another person is feeling or experiencing 
end of life issues Issues relating to death and dying 
enema A solution introduced into the rectum or colon to expel feces or flatus 
enteral nutrition Providing nutrition for someone unable to consume food normally; formula is introduced through a tube into the stomach of duodenum 
ethics Rules of principles governing right behavior 
euthanasia The deliberate ending of life of people with terminal illness or unbearable suffering 
extension Movement that brings the limb into or towards a straight position; opposite of flexion 
false imprisonment Unlawful restraint or detention of a person against his or her will 
fecal impaction Hard, retained feces that cannot be expelled 
fever Elevated body temperature 
first aid Immediate care given to an injured or acutely ill person before the arrival of the doctor or transportation to the hospital 
flaccid Limp 
flatus Gas in the digestive tract 
flexion Movement that brings the limb into or towards a bent position; opposite of extension 
Fowler’s position Position of the body in semi-sitting upright position 
fracture Break 
G tube Gastric tube; placed directly into the stomach for feeding 
gait-transfer belt Cloth belt worn by the resident to assist with movement and ambulation 
gatch handle Handle at the foot of the bed used to change the bed’s position 
geri chair Special chair that assists in positioning a resident to increase body alignment and comfort 
geriatric Medical care of older adults 
gerontology The study of aging and older adults 
graduate A round cylinder with markings to measure amount of liquid 
grief process Stages of emotional reactions to loss 
gurney A litter with wheels used to transport residents 
hallucination Falsely seeing, hearing, or smelling something that does not exist 
hemiplegia Paralysis or lack of sensation on one side of the body in the vertical plane 
hemorrhage Excessive bleeding 
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Virus that attacks the liver 
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Virus that attacks the liver; relies on HBV for transmission 
holistic health care Health care that considers the needs of the entire individual infusion-IV therapy from a physical, psychological, and spiritual perspective 
hospice Organization dedicated to end-of-life care for individuals and their caregivers and families 
HS care Care given to prepare the resident for sleep 
human needs Requirements to sustain health and happiness; air, food, safety and security, love and belonging, and self-actualization 
hydration The amount of fluid in the body 
hygiene Rules for health and cleanliness 
hyperglycemia Excessive amounts of glucose in the blood 
hypertension A condition of consistently elevated blood pressure above 140/90; high blood pressure 
hypoglycemia Abnormally low amounts of glucose in the blood 
hypotension Abnormally low blood pressure 
hypoxia Decreased amount of oxygen in the blood 
immobilize Make immovable 
incontinence Condition in which the resident cannot control urinary or fecal elimination 
infection control The process of minimizing the growth of infection 
infusion-IV therapy Method of delivering fluids and medications with the use of a needle or catheter inserted into the vein 
intake and output (I & O) The total amount of foods and fluids ingested and eliminated from the body 
intubation Insertion of a tube into the airway to deliver oxygen to the lungs 
isolation Protecting an infected person from spreading disease-causing microorganisms to others 
ketones Waste products from the chemical breakdown of fats 
KS Kaposi’s sarcoma; a rare form of cancer seen in AIDS patients 
lateral position Side-lying position 
legal-ethical practice The lawful and correct way to perform professional duties 
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) A licensed nurse who works under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) to plan and provide nursing care 
logroll To move the body while maintaining straight alignment 
long-term care resident A client who lives in a health-care facility designed to provide rehabilitation and personal care for an extended period of time 
malnutrition Insufficient nourishment for the body 
mechanical lift Device to assist in lifting a resident who cannot move by oneself 
mechanical ventilator Machine that delivers oxygen to the lungs 
medical asepsis An environment free of pathogens 
medical liability Legal accountability for performance of duties to others 
metastasis Invasion of cancer cells in a site distant from the original site of invasion 
microorganisms Any plant or animal that cannot be seen by the naked eye 
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) Type of microorganism that is not easily killed by methicillin; an antibiotic 
nares Openings into the nose 
neglect State of being improperly cared for  (physically, psychologically, or emotionally) that results in harm 
negligence Failure to care for someone, which results in harm 
nocturia Excessive urination during the night hours 
non-malfeasance Doing no harm 
Noncompliance Deliberately ignoring a plan of care 
NPO Nothing by mouth 
Nurse Practice Act Law regulating professional practice of licensed nurses 
Nursing Assistant-Nurse’s Aide Individual trained to provide personal care under the supervision of a licensed nurse 
nutrient Substance in food that supplies the body with fuel for energy 
OBRA Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act; Federal law that protects the quality of health care. The act addresses the safety, health, and well-being of patients as well as the quality of education and training for nursing assistants. 
opportunistic disease Disease contracted due to the body’s weakened immune system oral hygiene Care of the mouth, teeth, and gums 
orthopneic position Sitting position that improves breathing in which the client leans over an overbed table with arms supported on pillows 
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration; a federal regulatory agency concerned with the health and safety of employees 
oxygen A colorless, odorless gas that is necessary for life 
palliative care Care for clients whose disease does not respond to treatment; comfort care 
paralysis Lack of movement of a body part 
paraplegia Paralysis in the lower half of the body 
pathogen Disease-causing microorganism 
Patient Self Determination Act (PSDA) Federal law giving individuals the right to make health-care decisions expressed through written advance directives and to be informed of his or her rights to accept or refuse health care 
PCP (Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia) A rare form of pneumonia contracted by individuals with depressed immune systems such as AIDS 
perineal care (peri-care) Cleansing and care of the genital and anal areas of the body 
peristalsis Wave-like muscular contractions in the tubular structures of the digestive system to move food 
plantar flexion The act of being a body part to decrease the angle between the bones forming a joint 
plaque A build-up of cholesterol in the arteries 
PO Per os (Latin); by mouth 
polyuria Excessive urination 
postmortem care Care of the body after death 
postoperative After surgery 
PPE Personal protective equipment such as gown, gloves, and mask or face shield; used to protect from contamination by pathogens 
pressure ulcer Sore or lesion on the skin caused by undue pressure to the body part directly beneath it 
prone position Lying on the abdomen, face downward or to the side 
prosthesis A device that replaces a body part 
quadriplegia Paralysis of both arms and legs 
quality assurance A process of evaluating a facility’s services by comparing them to accepted standards 
radial pulse Feeling the pulse (heartbeat) in the radial artery 
range of motion (ROM) The degree of movement possible in a joint 
rapport A relationship of mutual understanding between two people 
reality orientation Process of reminding a resident of who he or she is, where he or she is, the current date and time and current events 
Registered Nurse (RN) Person educated and licensed to assess, plan, diagnose, provide, and evaluate nursing care 
rescue breathing Providing emergency oxygen through own expired air for residents who are not breathing; artificial respiration 
Resident’s Bill of Rights Document outlining the rights of residents living in a long-term care facility 
respirations Breathes, including inspiration and expiration 
respiratory arrest Condition in which a resident stops breathing 
respite care Care given to provide rest and emotional support to caregivers 
restorative care Care directed to restoring function to its highest level 
restraint Any device used to keep a resident from walking away from a location 
risk management A system or process to reduce danger to residents and staff 
role A set of expectations about how a person occupying a particular position in society acts 
role reversal A situation in which a resident’s role is changed from an expected one to a different, often lesser one 
rotation Turning on an axis 
scabies A contagious skin infection caused by infestation by the itch mite 
seizure Sudden contractions of muscles caused by erratic brain activity; convulsion 
self-actualization Highest level of human needs; self-fulfillment 
sensory overload Overstimulation of the nervous system 
sensory stimulation Excitation of sensory nerves 
sexual harassment Unwelcomed advances or suggestions with sexual advances or innuendos 
sexually transmitted disease/illness  (STD/STI) Disease transmitted through sexual contact 
shingles Rash caused by the herpes virus 
shroud Cloth used to cover the deceased body 
Sim’s position Semi-prone, side-lying position with lowermost arm at the back, the body resting on the chest, and the uppermost leg flexed 
sphygmomanometer Blood pressure cuff 
sputum Mucus secreted from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea 
standard precautions Procedures used to protect against exposure to resident’s blood or body fluids 
sterile Free from all microorganisms 
Sterile Technique Keeping sterile objects sterile or free of all microorganisms 
stethoscope Device to transmit sounds from the body to the examiner’s ears 
stoma Artificially created opening from a body’s cavity to the outside of the body 
stool Solid waste products expelled from the body; feces 
suffocation Depriving of air exchange 
suicidal ideation Thoughts of suicide that includes a plan, method, and time line Sundowner’s Syndrome Condition in which confusion and agitation increases during evening hours 
supination Turning upward 
syncopy Fainting; losing consciousness systolic pressure Pressure of blood against the arteries when the ventricles contract 
Tterminal illness Illness in which recovery is not anticipated 
VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus) thrombus Blood clot 
TIA Transient ischemic attack; condition in which the brain cells are temporarily deprived of sufficient oxygen 
TPN Total parenteral nutrition; method of delivering nutrients through the vein to meet daily caloric needs 
tracheostomy Artificial opening into the trachea 
Tuberculosis (TB) Infectious disease in which a bacterium invades the body, affecting the lungs, brain, or bones 
tympanic membrane Membrane separating the outer from the middle ear that helps transmit sound into the middle ear 
urinate To expel liquid wastes from the body; to void 
values Set of principles or beliefs held strongly by a person 
ventilate To allow air into the lungs 
virus A pathogen that grows after invading a body cell 
void To expel liquid wastes from the body 
VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus) Bacterium that is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin