STNA Exam Definitions |201 Questions and Answers
Abdominal Thrust - -a method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of
someone who is choking; the act of pressing inward and upward upon a victim who is
choking in order to force air up through the trachea and dislodge an object; below sternum
above navel.
-Adduction - -Moving a body part toward the midline of the body.
-Admitting Resident - -The beginning process of allowing a patient in; the individual being
accepted into a long-term care facility.
-Affected Side - -A weakened side from a stroke or injury; also called the "weaker" or
"involved" side.
-Aging Process - -The natural occurrences in the body that produce the changes associated
with growing old.
-Agitation - -A resident who is excited, restless, or troubled is said to be agitated. Feeling
insecure or frustrated, encountering new people or places, and changes in routine can all
trigger this behavior.
-Alzheimer's - -A progressive decline in cognitive function.
-Ambulation - -Walking.
-Anti-embolic Stockings - -Special stockings used to help prevent swelling, blood clots, and
aid circulation; also called elastic stockings or TED Hose.
-Apnea - -The absence of breathing.
-Appropriate Response - -a response that is suitable and expected to yield health benefits.
-Aromatherapy - -To use plant extract that has aromas (smells)
-Aseptic - -Free from disease-causing microorganisms.
-Aspiration - -Breathing fluid or an object into the lungs.
-Assistive Device - -Any device that helps someone do something that they might not
otherwise be able to do at all.
-Basic Needs - -Things people cannot live without, such as food, clothing, shelter,
protection, activity, sleep, rest, comfort, and freedom from pain.
, -Bathing - -Promotes good health and hygiene, increases circulation, and provides an
opportunity to observe the skin.
-Battery - -Touching a person without his or her consent.
-Behavior - -The observable responses, actions, or activities of someone.
-Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - -Enlargement of the prostate gland that may impair
the outflow of urine. Causes hesitancy in beginning urine flow, reduction in size and the
force of the stream.
-Blindness - -Unable to see. May see shadows. When walking someone who is visually
impaired. NA should be beside and slightly ahead of the resident so the resident can place
their hand on NA's elbow.
-Blood Borne Pathogens - -Microorganisms found in human blood, body fluid, draining
wounds, and mucous membranes that can cause infection and disease in humans.
-Blood Pressure - -The amount of force exerted against the walls of an artery by the blood.
-Body Mechanics - -Commonly used to describe the body movements by the staff when
they move residents and/or objects.
-Body Temperature - -A measurement of the amount of heat in the body. A balance
between the amount of heat produced/created and the amount of heat lost by the body.
Created as the body changes food to energy. Lost from the body to environment by contact,
perspiration, breathing and other means.
-Breathing - -The process of inspiration/expiration. Chest rises with inspiration, falls with
expiration.
-C-Difficile - -Also known as Clostridium Difficile or C-Diff. It is a spore forming bacteria
which can be part of normal flora. When intestinal flora is altered, C-Diff can flourish in the
intestinal tract and cause infection. Produces a toxin that causes foul smelling watery
diarrhea and nausea. Report immediately to nurse. Can be life threatening. Must use
contact enteric precautions. Can wash hands with gel when entering a room but must soap
and water when leaving the room. Must wear gown and gloves to enter. Must use diluted
hypochlorite disinfectant to wipe off toilet seat after each use.
-Cane Use - -Using a cane to provide balance when resident ambulates. Quad cane (having
four feet to put on floor) is more stable than plain cane. Cane on resident's strong side
while nurses aide on weak side. Resident moves cane 6" in front of strong leg and with
strong side to step forward slightly ahead of cane.
-Care Conference - -Meeting done at periodic intervals that involves the team, including
the resident and their family. The nurse aide should attend to provide and obtain additional
Abdominal Thrust - -a method of attempting to remove an object from the airway of
someone who is choking; the act of pressing inward and upward upon a victim who is
choking in order to force air up through the trachea and dislodge an object; below sternum
above navel.
-Adduction - -Moving a body part toward the midline of the body.
-Admitting Resident - -The beginning process of allowing a patient in; the individual being
accepted into a long-term care facility.
-Affected Side - -A weakened side from a stroke or injury; also called the "weaker" or
"involved" side.
-Aging Process - -The natural occurrences in the body that produce the changes associated
with growing old.
-Agitation - -A resident who is excited, restless, or troubled is said to be agitated. Feeling
insecure or frustrated, encountering new people or places, and changes in routine can all
trigger this behavior.
-Alzheimer's - -A progressive decline in cognitive function.
-Ambulation - -Walking.
-Anti-embolic Stockings - -Special stockings used to help prevent swelling, blood clots, and
aid circulation; also called elastic stockings or TED Hose.
-Apnea - -The absence of breathing.
-Appropriate Response - -a response that is suitable and expected to yield health benefits.
-Aromatherapy - -To use plant extract that has aromas (smells)
-Aseptic - -Free from disease-causing microorganisms.
-Aspiration - -Breathing fluid or an object into the lungs.
-Assistive Device - -Any device that helps someone do something that they might not
otherwise be able to do at all.
-Basic Needs - -Things people cannot live without, such as food, clothing, shelter,
protection, activity, sleep, rest, comfort, and freedom from pain.
, -Bathing - -Promotes good health and hygiene, increases circulation, and provides an
opportunity to observe the skin.
-Battery - -Touching a person without his or her consent.
-Behavior - -The observable responses, actions, or activities of someone.
-Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - -Enlargement of the prostate gland that may impair
the outflow of urine. Causes hesitancy in beginning urine flow, reduction in size and the
force of the stream.
-Blindness - -Unable to see. May see shadows. When walking someone who is visually
impaired. NA should be beside and slightly ahead of the resident so the resident can place
their hand on NA's elbow.
-Blood Borne Pathogens - -Microorganisms found in human blood, body fluid, draining
wounds, and mucous membranes that can cause infection and disease in humans.
-Blood Pressure - -The amount of force exerted against the walls of an artery by the blood.
-Body Mechanics - -Commonly used to describe the body movements by the staff when
they move residents and/or objects.
-Body Temperature - -A measurement of the amount of heat in the body. A balance
between the amount of heat produced/created and the amount of heat lost by the body.
Created as the body changes food to energy. Lost from the body to environment by contact,
perspiration, breathing and other means.
-Breathing - -The process of inspiration/expiration. Chest rises with inspiration, falls with
expiration.
-C-Difficile - -Also known as Clostridium Difficile or C-Diff. It is a spore forming bacteria
which can be part of normal flora. When intestinal flora is altered, C-Diff can flourish in the
intestinal tract and cause infection. Produces a toxin that causes foul smelling watery
diarrhea and nausea. Report immediately to nurse. Can be life threatening. Must use
contact enteric precautions. Can wash hands with gel when entering a room but must soap
and water when leaving the room. Must wear gown and gloves to enter. Must use diluted
hypochlorite disinfectant to wipe off toilet seat after each use.
-Cane Use - -Using a cane to provide balance when resident ambulates. Quad cane (having
four feet to put on floor) is more stable than plain cane. Cane on resident's strong side
while nurses aide on weak side. Resident moves cane 6" in front of strong leg and with
strong side to step forward slightly ahead of cane.
-Care Conference - -Meeting done at periodic intervals that involves the team, including
the resident and their family. The nurse aide should attend to provide and obtain additional
