Specific Diseases Pre Nursing Assistant Class

Acute Illness An acute illness happens suddenly and usually lasts a short time. An acute illness happens suddenly and usually lasts a short time. Examples may be: Examples may be: Cold Cold Influenza (flu) Influenza (flu)

Chronic Illness A chronic illness occurs gradually and lasts a long time. A chronic illness occurs gradually and lasts a long time. Examples include: Examples include: Diabetes Diabetes Arthritis Arthritis Congestive Heart Failure Congestive Heart Failure

Conditions of the Skeletal System: 1. osteoporosis 1. osteoporosis 2. arthritis 2. arthritis

Osteoporosis: Thinning of the bone Thinning of the bone Occurs mainly in older women Occurs mainly in older women Caused by loss of calcium in the Caused by loss of calcium in the bones. bones. Bones become weak and frail and can Bones become weak and frail and can break easily break easily The spine shrinks and the person The spine shrinks and the person becomes shorter. becomes shorter.

Provide care for people with osteoporosis Help exercise as much as patient is able Help exercise as much as patient is able Standard safety precautions to prevent falls Standard safety precautions to prevent falls Use transfer belt as needed Use transfer belt as needed Remove clutter Remove clutter

Arthritis: Joints become stiff and painful Joints become stiff and painful Offer warm baths Offer warm baths Encourage warm clothing Encourage warm clothing Do gentle range-of-motion exercises (ROM) Do gentle range-of-motion exercises (ROM) Encourage patient to exercise Encourage patient to exercise

Chronic Conditions of the Cardiovascular System Angina pectoris Angina pectoris Congestive heart failure Congestive heart failure

Angina Pectoris: Chest pain caused because the heart is not getting enough oxygen. Chest pain caused because the heart is not getting enough oxygen. Provide care in relaxes, Provide care in relaxes, unhurried manner unhurried manner Encourage relaxation Encourage relaxation Stop activity if patient has Stop activity if patient has chest pain and notify RN chest pain and notify RN

Congestive Heart Failure: Heart does not pump as strongly as it should Heart does not pump as strongly as it should Patient may have hypertension and edema Patient may have hypertension and edema Tires easily: provide frequent rest periods Tires easily: provide frequent rest periods Monitor I&O Monitor I&O Fowler’s position is best breathing position Fowler’s position is best breathing position

Conditions of the Neurological System Parkinson’s Disease Stroke (Cerebral Vascular Hemorrhage CVH)

Stroke (CVA- cerebrovascular accident) Affects the nervous system Affects the nervous system Caused by blood clot in the brain Caused by blood clot in the brain Can cause weakness and paralysis, usually on one side of the body Can cause weakness and paralysis, usually on one side of the body Can cause dysphagia and aphasia Can cause dysphagia and aphasia

How the CNA can help: Place call light (and other articles) on unaffected (strong) side of the body. Place call light (and other articles) on unaffected (strong) side of the body. Encourage pt to use the unaffected side to help exercise the affected side (ROM) Supervise pt while eating Offer to assist w/ADL’s that may be difficult.

Parkinson’s Disease Parts of the brain that control movement are gradually destroyed. Pt has stiff muscles Uncontrolled movement of head and body Difficulty chewing and swallowing Confusion Mood changes and depression

How the CNA can help Encourage rest avoid rushing pt Warm baths to relax muscles Use self-help devices for ADL’s

Hepatitis A -The least serious form of Hepatitis -prevention- good hand hygiene -HAV vaccination is available

Hepatitis B -Spread through direct contact with blood, semen, or vaginal fluids -yellow color in eyes or skin- jaundice -nausea, fever, stomach/joint pain -extreme exhaustion -there is no cure -HBV vaccine is available -Use blood borne pathogen precautions

Hepatitis C -spreads mainly through contact with infected blood (rare through intercourse) -Carry the virus for life -serious liver damage is possible -there is no vaccine or cure -medications are available for treatment -use blood borne pathogen precautions

Eye Diseases Cataracts: Make the eye cloudy and can cause blindness. Cataracts: Make the eye cloudy and can cause blindness. Glaucoma: pressure of the optic nerve that can cause blindness Glaucoma: pressure of the optic nerve that can cause blindness

Disease of the Endocrine System Diabetes: chronic disease Diabetes: chronic disease 3 types: 3 types: Type I (Juvenile): Body does not produce insulin. Need insulin injections Type I (Juvenile): Body does not produce insulin. Need insulin injections Type II (adult-onset) Most common; body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it correctly. Type II (adult-onset) Most common; body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it correctly. Can sometimes be manages with diet and oral medication. Can sometimes be manages with diet and oral medication. Gestational: some mother get it during pregnancy Gestational: some mother get it during pregnancy

In the United States, about 8% of the population, or 23 million people have diabetes. This number is rising rapidly.

Complications of Diabetes Vision: can lead to blindness Circulatory system: stroke, heart disease Nervous system: nerve damage Urinary: kidney failure GI System: many problems with digesting food Skin: poor wound healing; can lead to amputation toes, feet, legs, etc. Reproductive System: sexual dysfunction

Diabetes: Diabetes: Know the Know theSymptomsHypoglycemia: not enough sugar (glucose) in blood (glucose) in bloodHyperglycemia: Too much sugar

Diabetic Foot Care Wash feet Wash feet Dry feet and Dry feet and between toes between toes No lotion No lotion between toes between toes Look for sores Look for sores Do Not clip toenails Do Not clip toenails

Conditions of the Respiratory System: Conditions of the Respiratory System: Influenza/flu Influenza/flu Pneumonia Pneumonia COPD: COPD:

Influenza Viral Viral Highly contagious Highly contagious

Pneumonia: Inflammation and infection of the lungs Can be viral or bacterial Aspiration pneumonia: Can occur in people with dysphagia

Tuberculosis (TB) Bacterial Airborne Isolation Precautions Staff must wear HEPA (N95) filter mask in room

TB Mantoux Skin test required before you can work as a CNA

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Often caused by smoking Often caused by smoking Patient often need to wear oxygen Patient often need to wear oxygen Common symptoms: Common symptoms: Cough Cough Fatigues easily Fatigues easily Poor appetite Poor appetite Tachycardia Tachycardia Confusion Confusion