CNA Terms

Chapter 1 – Introduction to Hospitals and Nursing Centers

1. Acute illness – an illness of rapid onset an short duration; the person is expected to recover
2. Admission – the official entry of a person into a health care setting
3. Assisted living residence (ALR) – provides housing, personal care, support services, health care, and
social activities in a home-like setting to persons needing help with daily activities
4. Chronic illness – a long term health condition that may not have a cure, it can be controlled and
complications prevented with proper treatment
5. Discharge – the official departure of a person from a health care setting
6. Health team – the many health care workers whose skills and knowledge focus on the person’s total
care; interdisciplinary heath care team
7. Hospice – a health care agency or program that promotes comfort and quality of life for the dying
person and the person’s family
8. Licensed practical nurse (LPN) – a nurse who has completed a practical nursing program and has
passed a licensing test; called licensed vocational nurse in (LVN) in California and Texas
9. Licensed vocational nurse (LVN) – see “licensed practical nurse (LPN)
10. Nursing assistant – a person who has passed a nursing assistant training and competency evaluation
program (NATCEP); performs delegated nursing tasks under the supervision of a licensed nurse
11. Nursing team – those that provide nursing care -RNs, LPNs/LVNs, & nursing assistants
12. Registered Nurse (RN) - a nurse who has completed a 2-3, or 4 year nursing program and has passed a
licensing test
13. Regulations – rules made by government agencies
14. Surveys – the formal review of an agency through the collection of facts and observations
15. Surveyors -a person who collects information by observing and asking questions
16. Terminal illness – an illness or injury from which the person will not likely recover

Chapter 2 – The Person’s Rights

1. Advocate – someone who acts or speaks on behalf of another person

2. Involuntary seclusion – separating a person from others against the person’s will, keeping the person
to a certain area or keeping the person from his or her room without consent
3. Ombudsman – someone who supports or promotes the need and interests of another person
4. Representative – a person with the legal right to act on the patient or resident’s behalf when the person
cannot do so alone
5. Treatment – the care provided to maintain or restore health, improve function or relieve symptoms