Being a Long-Term Care Nursing Assistant (Text Only) - 5th edition

Being a Long-Terns Care Nursing Assistant, 5th edition, is filled with new features to enhance the learning of students preparing to become certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Written by two nurses involved in the day-to-day realities of long-term care, the text clearly demonstrates the many skills demanded of a competent CNA and explains other important aspects of care such as interpersonal relationships, communication and compassion.

These proven authors recognize not only the value of the caregivers but also the unique learning needs of today's adult learner. Learning objectives are realistic, understandable, measurable, and achievable, helping students and instructors zero in on what matters. Information is presented in short, manageable sections using a consistent format. The full-color, richly illustrated presentation and accessible reading level ensures that students of all ages and backgrounds can concentrate on information instead of struggling with the language.

EMPHASIS ON ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

This text focuses exclusively on "need-to-know" information about topics and procedures directly relevant to the job of the CNA in long-term care. Activities outside the scope of CNA practice have not been included. This is a text designed specifically for long-term care, not adapted from an acute care text.

CONSISTENT SYSTEMS APPROACH

The text is organized in a consistent body systems approach for easier learning. Each systems chapter introduces the normal anatomy and physiology of that system, followed by age-related changes and common symptoms, diseases, and conditions. Related guidelines for care and step-by-step procedures are integrated throughout, helping students recognize the direct relationship between the care provided and the rationale. Feedback from students and teachers alike has favored this approach.

KEY THEMES AND CONCEPTS REINFORCED THROUGHOUT

The authors have threaded key themes and concepts throughout the text, reinforcing their importance in quality care. Such themes and concepts include residents' rights, age-related changes, infection control, safety, cultural awareness, standard precautions, psychosocial needs, rehabilitation, documentation, age-specific competencies, and kind, compassionate care. Emphasis on the unique needs of the elderly and disabled contributes to improved job performance and client health and satisfaction.

UPDATED AND EXPANDED THROUGHOUT, INCLUDING TWO NEW CHAPTERS

This 5th edition has been updated and expanded with new content throughout, including:

• New emphasis on pain management in the elderly. New content helps students understand the importance of recognizing and treating pain in the elderly, whose pain tends to be undertreated nationwide.
• The latest CDC guidelines for infection control. Current Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions are included to keep students and clients healthy.
• A new chapter on end-of-life care. Research indicates that 20 percent of deaths each year occur in a long-term care facility. Chapter 19 discusses such topics as pain management, communication with dying patients and families, end-stage disease, and grief and bereavement, helping prepare students to offer compassionate care to these patients. ,
• A new chapter on preparing for the certification examination. Chapter 20 will help the student succeed on the competency examination and in finding employment.

WEALTH OF HELPFUL LEARNING AIDS

This edition includes many learning aids:

• Caring tips. Quotations from nurses across America open each chapter and highlight practical ways the nursing assistant can deliver safe, effective care.
• Marginal glossary. Key terms highlighted in the text are listed and defined in the margin, avoiding the need to flip to the end-of-book glossary.
• Cultural awareness. A special cultural awareness icon alerts students to cultural issues related to each chapter, enhancing their sensitivity to clients' customs and beliefs related to their care.
• Procedures. Step-by-step procedures are highlighted in color for added emphasis.
• OBRA highlights. A special icon highlights OBRA regulations derived from the OBRA 1987 legislation as appropriate to the content of each chapter.
• Chapter summary. A new two-part summary concludes each chapter. Part 1 summarizes key points in the chapter. Part 2 helps students focus on key OBRA regulations to help them succeed on the exam and in the workplace.
• Self-study multiple choice questions. Students can test their understanding and retention of the chapter content to see if they need further study. These questions provide practice at test taking and preparation for the competency examination.
• Case study. Each chapter concludes with a case study or situation followed by related multiple-choice questions. This sharpens students' critical thinking skills and helps them apply the information learned from the chapter.

Black, Connie A. Will : California State University

Connie A. Will-Black, RN, BSN, PHN, is a graduate of California State University at Long Beach and has been active in long-term care as a nursing consultant, educator, and owner for the past 25 years. Mrs. Black's teaching experience includes nursing education in both acute and long-term care settings as well as in community colleges. As CEO of Community Hospice Care, Mrs. Black created a large Medicare Certified Hospice program in Southern California. This program served thousands of terminally ill patients, both those who lived in their own homes, and those in retirement facilities and in long-term care facilities. Her commitment to education created a large group of professional staff with expertise in end-of-life care who continues to serve dying patients throughout Southern California. Although Connie did not participate in this 5th edition, her knowledge and philosophy of care are reflected throughout the book.

Eighrny, Judith B. : Texas Woman's University

Judith B. Eighrny, RN, BSN, CHPN, is a graduate of Texas Woman's University and has completed course work for her master's degree in nursing from California State University at Los Angeles. She is certified in hospice and palliative care nursing. Ms. Eighmy has been a nursing consultant and educator in long-term care and hospice for more than 25 years. In addition to teaching numerous continuing education courses for health care professionals in long-term care and hospice, she has taught in the acute care setting and in the university as well as in a school of nursing. She has developed quality assessment and improvement programs for long-term care facilities and hospice programs. Ms. Eighmy is active in her professional organization and widely recognized for her expertise in training and in care of the elderly and end-of-life care. She serves as an advisory board member and consultant to Medcom, Inc., of Cypress, California, in the development of education programs for long-term care. She is currently president of her consulting firm, Pacific Healthcare Consultants, Inc., where she and her partner Elayne Nahman, LCSW, serve hospice programs in California.

1. Introduction to Long-Term Care.
2. Your Working Environment.
3. Special Needs of the Elderly and Chronically Ill.
4. Basic Nursing Care.
5. Anatomy, Physiology, and the Senses.
6. The Integumentary System.
7. The Skeletal System.
8. The Muscular System.
9. The Digestive System.
10. The Urinary System.
11. The Nervous System.
12. The Respiratory System.
13. The Cardiovascular System.
14. The Endocrine System.
15. The Reproductive System and Human Sexuality.
16. Developmental Disabilities.
17. The Restorative Nursing Assistant.
18. Subacute and Emergency Care in the Long-Term Care Facility.
19. End-of-Life Care.
20. The Certified Nursing Assistant.

Glossary.
Index.