This program has been updated to reflect practice change regarding inflation of catheter retention balloons prior to insertion of an indwelling urethral catheter. While this was once standard practice and remains common, it has become controversial and is no longer performed in many facilities.

In a clinical environment, nurses are often called upon to calculate medication dosages in both solid and liquid forms using basic mathematical principles to calculate the correct dosage.

This course provides an overview of administering oxygen to patients in clinical and home settings.

America is a culturally diverse country with new immigrants arriving daily and those already here raising families. Unfamiliar languages, beliefs, cultural practices, eating habits, etc., can all present potential obstacles to the medical assistant providing care.

America is a culturally diverse country with new immigrants arriving daily and those already here raising families. Unfamiliar languages, beliefs, cultural practices, eating habits, etc., can all present potential obstacles to the medical assistant providing care.

America is a culturally diverse country with new immigrants arriving daily and those already here raising families. Unfamiliar languages, beliefs, cultural practices, eating habits, etc., can all present potential obstacles to the medical assistant providing care.

Accurate and timely documentation is one of the key responsibilities of medical assistants. They are in contact with people of all ages, backgrounds, and health conditions while providing care. Whether electronically or in print, the recording of a patient's condition, treatment and response to treatment, provides the crucial information needed by each members of the patient s healthcare team, and is the legal record of the care provided.

Accurate and timely documentation is one of the key responsibilities of medical assistants. They are in contact with people of all ages, backgrounds, and health conditions while providing care. Whether electronically or in print, the recording of a patient's condition, treatment and response to treatment, provides the crucial information needed by each members of the patient s healthcare team, and is the legal record of the care provided.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 was the beginning step of a complex but important reform of the American healthcare system and has led to a number of practice changes in all areas of health care from the O.R. to the private practice waiting room. This three-part series HIPAA for Medical Assistants provides an overview of HIPAA regulations for medical assistants.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 was the beginning step of a complex but important reform of the American healthcare system and has led to a number of practice changes in all areas of health care from the O.R. to the private practice waiting room. This three-part series HIPAA for Medical Assistants provides an overview of HIPAA regulations for medical assistants.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 was the beginning step of a complex but important reform of the American healthcare system and has led to a number of practice changes in all areas of health care from the O.R. to the private practice waiting room.

The importance of infection control has increased in recent decades due to diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and diseases caused by drug-resistant pathogens. This program focuses on the basic principles of infection control.

Bloodborne pathogens are disease-causing germs such as viruses and bacteria carried in the blood that can cause diseases like AIDS and hepatitis B. This program describes common bloodborne pathogens medical assistants should be concerned about, OSHA s Bloodborne Pathogens rule, and how to be protected using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Tuberculosis remains a widespread disease in much of the world with estimates that as much as one-third of the world's population carry the bacteria that causes TB. There are many challenges in the fight to control TB, including drug-resistant forms of the disease and the fact that many people in the U.S. remain unaware of the increasing number of infections.

Measuring vital signs is one of the fundamental clinical skill that every medical assistant needs to master to provide competent patient care. The measurement of vital signs - including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and an assessment of pain - is performed routinely in every healthcare setting. Evaluations of these findings through comparison with previous measurements and established normal ranges can indicate important changes in physical and/or emotional conditions of patients.

Measuring vital signs is one of the fundamental clinical skill that every medical assistant needs to master to provide competent patient care. The measurement of vital signs - including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and an assessment of pain - is performed routinely in every healthcare setting.

A person s weight is an important indicator of general health and nutrition. Individuals are to be weighed as part of taking the vital signs at each visit. Although measurement of body weight and height may seem routine, accuracy is very important because medical and nursing decisions may be based on these measurements.

Because needlestick injuries are the most common way for healthcare workers to acquire bloodborne infections such as HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B knowing how to protect against needlestick injuries is crucial for medical assistants working with needles and other sharps in the healthcare environment.

Residents depend on the nursing assistant s ability to recognize changes in behavior, appearance and abilities, and to report significant observations promptly and accurately. Observing for abnormal signs and symptoms is an important part of the routine care nursing assistants provide to residents.

Making a bed is a simple, but important part of providing effective resident care. Not only does it feel good, but it helps to avoid problems such as pressure ulcers and the spread of infection and provides a sense of well-being and safety. This program demonstrates the procedures for making both an occupied and unoccupied bed using flat sheets with hospital corners.

Frontline caregivers play an essential role in providing comfort and care to frail, elderly residents. Being treated with dignity and respect is a basic right of all residents. It is a right that is enforced by the state and federal government. Mistreating a resident can result in litigation and charges of neglect and abuse.

For newly admitted residents, adjusting to life in a nursing home is often difficult. Communicating in a warm and friendly manner can help ease a resident s sense of isolation. The foundation for good communication is trust. Residents who trust you are the ones who feel that they can easily talk with you, and know that you will listen.

Dementia is a brain disorder resulting in memory loss and a decline in thinking abilities. It s a condition that is known to grow worse with time and is associated with changes in behavior and personality. Individuals often become confused, fearful and withdrawn. Communication also becomes more difficult.

Dementia is a brain disorder involving the loss of memory and thinking abilities as well as physical functioning. As victims decline mentally, their ability to perform activities of daily living is also affected. The damage caused by dementia leads to a loss of brain tissue that cannot be replaced. Dementia is a condition that typically grows worse with time. An estimated 50% of nursing home residents suffer from some form of dementia.

Understanding what triggers a certain behavior will put you in a better position to address the problem in a positive way. In some cases it may even allow you to prevent it from occurring. It is also important to remember that disruptive or unusual behavior may be a resident s way of trying to reach out to you to tell you something that he or she cannot express verbally.

Documentation serves as a legal record of the care received by a resident. As a result, it can be used in a court of law to prove if a resident received appropriate care that is in accordance with State and Federal regulations. The primary form of documentation that nurse aides are responsible for is the Activities of Daily Living sheet.

Specimen collection, measuring urinary output and assisting with elimination are all important skills a nursing assistant needs to develop to provide effective care.

Falls are among the leading causes of nursing home survey deficiencies, fines, and lawsuits. For a frail, elderly resident, a fall may result in bone fractures such as a broken hip or head injury. Along with physical injuries, falls can have an emotional impact as well, often the resident becomes fearful of falling again.

Incontinence among residents is often the result of illness and some of the disabilities that can occur as an individual ages. Residents ability to control bowel and bladder function ranges from simply needing toileting assistance to having no control and being completely dependent upon caregivers.

Because of frail health and a declining immune system, many elderly residents are more susceptible to infections for example, urinary tract infections or respiratory infections such as colds or pneumonia. Infection control practices as simple as hand washing can help prevent the spread of illnesses such as these.

Because they are in direct and constant contact with those they care for, techniques for infection control are critical skills for nursing assistants to master. Learning and practicing effective infection control skills will help the nursing assistant prevent the spread of microorganisms that can cause infectious diseases, and protect the health and safety of all those they care for, as well as co-workers and themselves.

A person's height and weight can be important indicators of nutritional and health status. The process of measuring height and weight also offers you an opportunity to observe the general condition of the person and provides a time for positive interactions.

Those primarily confined to a bed who can no longer change position and move easily are not only less comfortable, but can have decreased blood circulation and are at risk for the development of pressure ulcers.

A caregiver s assistance and encouragement play an important role in helping residents receive adequate food and fluid intake. Federal regulations require that nursing homes provide appropriate nutritional care and do everything possible to prevent unplanned weight loss among residents.

Many residents will have urinary catheters or ostomies. To provide proper care to these residents, nursing assistants must have specific knowledge and skills needed to provide care.

Pain can lead to depression, loss of appetite or a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living. In some cases, pain may even place a resident at a higher risk for injuries, accidents or falls. Pain and discomfort is a common experience among nursing home residents.

Proper body alignment not only allows patients and residents to feel more comfortable, but it is important to relieve strain, increase circulation, and prevent deformities and complications such as contractures and pressure sores. Nursing assistants need to develop the skills to position those who are bedridden using assistive devices and following the principles of good body mechanics to avoid injury.

Keeping a resident's mouth, teeth, gums and tongue healthy is a vital component of maintaining the resident s overall personal hygiene and good health. Poor mouth care can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath and even a lack of appetite. Oral care should be provided on a daily basis to all those who are in any form of nursing care.

Maintaining the full range of joint motion for individuals immobilized for prolonged periods of time is an essential part of the recovery process and improving overall health. This requires a regular program of range of motion exercises to maintain joint mobility and prevent complications associated with prolonged immobility such as decreased peripheral circulation, skin breakdown, and contractures.

Being alert to mental changes and reporting them is an important part of a frontline caregiver s responsibilities. Mental changes may signal an immediate threat to a resident s health or well-being. Changes or a decline in mental condition can make a resident more difficult to care for as well as place the resident at a higher risk for falls or other types of accidents.

Recognizing and reporting changes in a resident s physical condition, such as loss of appetite or skin breakdown, is the key to preventing a potential problem from becoming worse. Because nurse aides are in close contact with residents every day, they are the ones most likely to notice when the residents physical condition changes or begins to decline. Failure to report changes can lead to litigation, survey deficiencies or charges of neglect and abuse.

When a nursing home admits a resident, the facility and its staff become responsible for the person s safety and well-being. The facility is required by law to protect a resident s rights and provide quality care.

Understanding how to transfer a resident safely can reduce the risk of falls and other accidents. In some cases, a mechanical lift should be used for the safe transfer of residents who are heavy or who are in a weakened state and have little or no mobility. It is important that residents have confidence in your ability to transfer them safely and without injury. You should always take into account a resident s physical and mental condition.

Eating nutritious meals is an important and basic necessity for maintaining physical and emotional health. Some residents cannot feed themselves due to weakness, paralysis and other physical limitations and will need assistance at mealtime. This program presents techniques of serving a meal to both those who can eat independently, and those who require assistance.

Toileting is an important skill nursing assistants need to develop to provide sensitive and supportive care to individuals that lessens the embarrassment and discomfort of this important task.

Care providers must often assist persons with impaired mobility to walk, move to wheelchairs, toilets and beds. But to protect yourself and those you are providing care to, the nursing assistant must master the skills needed for transfer and ambulation.

Research shows that depression among nursing homes residents is under-recognized and under-treated. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects the way a person thinks, feels and acts. Although depression is often thought of as a psychological or emotional reaction to stressful experiences, it may also affect a person s physical health as well.

Frail health and mental impairments can leave a nursing home resident powerless against abusive behavior and neglect. Situations in which residents are physically or emotionally mistreated usually take place when a caregiver becomes angry or impatient, or tries to control a resident by force.

For a frail, elderly nursing home resident, skin breakdown may lead to illness and depression. If a pressure ulcer develops, it places the resident at a higher risk for infections, and in some cases it may be life threatening. To protect residents who are at risk for skin breakdown, a facility should a have skin care program.

Wandering is a behavior commonly found among nursing home residents with dementia. Wandering is often a sign that a resident needs help. Open communication is a first step to finding an answer. Understanding what is causing a resident to wander places you in a better position to assist the person.