Nurse Aide (CNA) Study Guide
Chapter 3: Understanding Residents
Nursing assistants support both physical needs, like food, water, rest, and activities of
daily living, and psychosocial needs, such as acceptance, dignity, and independence. This
chapter explains how aging and regular activity affect health, highlights common mental
health conditions and developmental stages across the lifespan, and outlines how families
provide support.
It covers end-of-life care, including palliative and hospice care, and the Dying Person’s
Bill of Rights, as well as the importance of respecting privacy and reporting any
suspected abuse. Together, these concepts show how nursing assistants can provide
compassionate, respectful care throughout every stage of life.
Holistic Care and Basic Needs
• Holistic care focuses on the person’s physical, mental, and social well-being, not
just disease.
o Think: the whole person.
• Physiological needs include essentials like food, water, and rest.
o Think: foundation (base) of the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs pyramid.
• Psychosocial needs include acceptance, interaction, and emotional support.
• Nursing assistants should support residents’ personal, cultural, and religious
practices respectfully. These impact care more than we realize.
• Residents may want to talk about topics such as religion. Even if you do not agree
with their beliefs, you can support them by listening quietly.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
• ADLs include brushing teeth (oral care), bathing, grooming, toileting, eating, etc.
• Promoting independence means allowing residents to do as much as they can for
themselves, even if it takes longer.
o For example, offering them a washcloth to wash their own face even
though it might take longer than if you did it for them.
Families and Aging
• Families can help by providing support and communicating with the care team.
• Most elderly people remain active and involved in activities.
• Regular physical activity helps improve energy levels.
Chapter 3: Understanding Residents
Nursing assistants support both physical needs, like food, water, rest, and activities of
daily living, and psychosocial needs, such as acceptance, dignity, and independence. This
chapter explains how aging and regular activity affect health, highlights common mental
health conditions and developmental stages across the lifespan, and outlines how families
provide support.
It covers end-of-life care, including palliative and hospice care, and the Dying Person’s
Bill of Rights, as well as the importance of respecting privacy and reporting any
suspected abuse. Together, these concepts show how nursing assistants can provide
compassionate, respectful care throughout every stage of life.
Holistic Care and Basic Needs
• Holistic care focuses on the person’s physical, mental, and social well-being, not
just disease.
o Think: the whole person.
• Physiological needs include essentials like food, water, and rest.
o Think: foundation (base) of the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs pyramid.
• Psychosocial needs include acceptance, interaction, and emotional support.
• Nursing assistants should support residents’ personal, cultural, and religious
practices respectfully. These impact care more than we realize.
• Residents may want to talk about topics such as religion. Even if you do not agree
with their beliefs, you can support them by listening quietly.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
• ADLs include brushing teeth (oral care), bathing, grooming, toileting, eating, etc.
• Promoting independence means allowing residents to do as much as they can for
themselves, even if it takes longer.
o For example, offering them a washcloth to wash their own face even
though it might take longer than if you did it for them.
Families and Aging
• Families can help by providing support and communicating with the care team.
• Most elderly people remain active and involved in activities.
• Regular physical activity helps improve energy levels.
