Nurse Aide (CNA) Study Guide
Chapter 2: Foundations of Resident Care
This chapter emphasizes the core responsibilities of nursing assistants in maintaining
safety, preventing infection, communicating effectively, and responding to emergencies.
It reviews Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions, the correct use of PPE, and
ways to prevent the spread of infections like MRSA, C. diff, and COVID-19.
It also explains proper body mechanics, hand hygiene, and steps to take in emergencies
such as heart attack, stroke, choking, and shock. Cultural awareness, professional
communication, and accurate documentation are highlighted as essential skills for
providing quality resident care.
Communication and Resident Interaction
• Unsafe conditions must be reported before accidents occur. Safety is a priority!
• Objective information = facts that are observed (e.g., “red marks the size of
pinpricks”). Think: what can you observe with your own senses.
• Speak slowly and clearly if a resident does not understand. Do not speak fast or
use unnecessary words.
• Barriers to communication include using medical terminology residents don’t
understand.
• Use open-ended questions (not yes/no) to encourage conversation.
• Consider a resident’s cultural background when communicating. (Remember
culture can include many aspects of a person, including religion or spirituality,
region they grew up, native language spoken, family of origin traditions, etc.).
• Only use medical terms and abbreviations with nurses, and others part of the
healthcare team, not residents.
• Report immediately: chest pain or any serious resident complaint.
• Professional relationships: stay calm, lower tone of voice, respect confidentiality.
Infection Prevention & Control
• Standard Precautions apply to every resident in care.
• Transmission-Based Precautions are used in addition to Standard Precautions.
• Order for donning (putting on) PPE: Gown → Mask/Goggles → Gloves.
• NAs come into contact with microorganisms every time they touch something.
• Gloves: must be changed when contaminated, never washed or reused.
• Handwashing: use friction for at least 20 seconds (think ‘Happy Birthday’ song
twice, or the chorus of Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’).
Chapter 2: Foundations of Resident Care
This chapter emphasizes the core responsibilities of nursing assistants in maintaining
safety, preventing infection, communicating effectively, and responding to emergencies.
It reviews Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions, the correct use of PPE, and
ways to prevent the spread of infections like MRSA, C. diff, and COVID-19.
It also explains proper body mechanics, hand hygiene, and steps to take in emergencies
such as heart attack, stroke, choking, and shock. Cultural awareness, professional
communication, and accurate documentation are highlighted as essential skills for
providing quality resident care.
Communication and Resident Interaction
• Unsafe conditions must be reported before accidents occur. Safety is a priority!
• Objective information = facts that are observed (e.g., “red marks the size of
pinpricks”). Think: what can you observe with your own senses.
• Speak slowly and clearly if a resident does not understand. Do not speak fast or
use unnecessary words.
• Barriers to communication include using medical terminology residents don’t
understand.
• Use open-ended questions (not yes/no) to encourage conversation.
• Consider a resident’s cultural background when communicating. (Remember
culture can include many aspects of a person, including religion or spirituality,
region they grew up, native language spoken, family of origin traditions, etc.).
• Only use medical terms and abbreviations with nurses, and others part of the
healthcare team, not residents.
• Report immediately: chest pain or any serious resident complaint.
• Professional relationships: stay calm, lower tone of voice, respect confidentiality.
Infection Prevention & Control
• Standard Precautions apply to every resident in care.
• Transmission-Based Precautions are used in addition to Standard Precautions.
• Order for donning (putting on) PPE: Gown → Mask/Goggles → Gloves.
• NAs come into contact with microorganisms every time they touch something.
• Gloves: must be changed when contaminated, never washed or reused.
• Handwashing: use friction for at least 20 seconds (think ‘Happy Birthday’ song
twice, or the chorus of Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’).
