Acute and Chronic Conditions Flashcards

An acute condition is a sudden illness that lasts a short time.

CNA Insight: Think of a cold or a sudden fever. Acute conditions often require immediate, focused care, and your quick reporting of symptoms is vital.

A chronic condition is a long-term illness that requires ongoing management.

CNA Insight: Think of diabetes or heart failure. Your care focuses on managing symptoms and helping the resident live as normally as possible with the condition.

Chronic diseases can have periods of flare-ups.

Chronic pain persists for over six months and can be either constant or intermittent, often resulting from conditions like arthritis.

Chronic conditions can have good days and bad days. Never assume a resident is “faking it” on a bad day. Your role is to observe and report the change in their condition, not judge it.

These are disorders that affect the muscles, bones, and joints.

CNA Insight: These conditions directly affect a resident’s ability to move. Your primary role is to provide safe mobility assistance and encourage as much independence as possible.

This causes pain and stiffness, especially in the morning. Be gentle when assisting with dressing and bathing, and use warm compresses (if allowed) to help ease their joint pain.

Assistive devices and warm therapy can be beneficial. Encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves. Encourage use of assistive devices (like long-handled shoehorns) to help them maintain their independence and dignity.

A deficiency in calcium can lead to osteoporosis. Calcium is the mineral essential for strong bones.

CNA Insight: You can help by encouraging residents to eat foods rich in calcium and Vitamin D (like milk and yogurt) as part of their diet to keep their bones as strong as possible.

Osteoporosis makes bones weak and prone to fractures. Common in older adults, especially women.

A hip fracture is a break in the upper thigh bone (femur) near the hip joint.

CNA Insight: This is a major injury. You must never turn the resident onto the injured side and must follow all positioning restrictions exactly as ordered by the nurse. Hip fractures often require surgery and long recovery.

Caregivers should assist with mobility, prevent pressure ulcers, and provide emotional support.

CNA Insight: The resident will be in severe pain and may be depressed. Your patience, gentle touch, and encouragement are vital for their recovery and rehabilitation.

The loss of a limb is called an amputation. Individuals can experience phantom pain—the feeling that the missing limb is still there and hurting.

CNA Insight: This pain is real, even though the limb is gone. You must never dismiss their pain; report it to the nurse so they can receive appropriate pain medication and support.

Common conditions include hypertension and heart failure. These are diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels.

CNA Insight: Your role is to monitor its function by taking accurate vital signs and reporting any changes in pulse, blood pressure, or breathing.

Angina is chest pain caused by a reduced oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

CNA Insight: This is a warning sign of a heart attack. If a resident reports chest pain, you must stop all activity, encourage them to rest, and call the nurse immediately.

Caregivers should encourage rest, assist with breathing exercises, and report symptoms.

CNA Insight: If the resident has a nitroglycerin pill, you must notify the nurse to administer it. Your calm presence helps reduce their anxiety and the heart’s workload.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively.

CNA Insight: Because the heart is weak, fluid backs up. Your role is to accurately measure and record Intake and Output (I&O) and report any sudden weight gain or swelling (edema) to the nurse.

Three symptoms are fatigue, swollen feet (edema), and difficulty breathing (dyspnea).

CNA Insight: If you notice new or increased swelling, or if the resident needs more pillows to breathe at night, report it immediately.

Hypertension is chronically high blood pressure.

CNA Insight: Hypertension is a silent killer. A normal adult blood pressure is typically below 120/80 mmHg. Your most important role is to know the resident’s personal normal range and report any reading that is significantly higher or lower than usual to the nurse immediately. Never try to interpret the reading yourself.

Salt (sodium) causes the body to hold onto water, which increases blood pressure. Encourage residents to follow their low-sodium diet and avoid adding extra salt to their food.

Hypertension in older adults is often due to atherosclerosis, where narrowed arteries require the heart to pump blood at higher pressures.

Examples include COPD, asthma, and pneumonia.

CNA Insight: Your role is to monitor for shortness of breath, assist with deep breathing exercises, and ensure the resident is in a Fowler’s position (sitting up) to help them breathe.

Influenza (the flu) causes respiratory inflammation, fever, and fatigue.

CNA Insight: The flu is highly contagious. Your role is to practice strict hand hygiene and ensure the resident is on Droplet Precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.