Certified Nursing Assistant Course

Lesson 1 • Healthcare Team and Communication

This maps interdisciplinary team roles and establishes effective reporting habits. Students practice structured verbal and written communication used daily on the floor.

Lesson 2 • Legal and Ethical Principles

This covers patient rights, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting obligations. It provides the ethical framework that governs every clinical decision a CNA makes.

Lesson 3 • Professionalism and Work Ethics

This addresses attendance, appearance, attitude, and boundary maintenance. It connects professional conduct to patient safety and facility accreditation standards.

Lesson 1 • Isolation Precautions and Procedures

This covers standard, contact, droplet, and airborne precaution categories and room setup. Students learn to implement and discontinue precautions per facility protocol.

Lesson 2 • Hand Hygiene and PPE Use

This teaches correct handwashing technique and proper PPE donning and doffing sequences. These skills are the primary defense against cross-contamination in all care settings.

Lesson 3 • Body Mechanics and Ergonomic Safety

This teaches correct lifting posture and movement techniques to protect both CNA and patient. Proper body mechanics reduce musculoskeletal injury, the leading CNA occupational hazard.

Lesson 4 • Chain of Infection and Transmission

This explains how pathogens spread through the six links of the infection chain. Understanding transmission modes is prerequisite to selecting correct precaution levels.

Lesson 1 • Common Conditions CNAs Encounter

This introduces frequently seen diagnoses and their care implications for the CNA role. Recognizing condition-related symptoms guides appropriate observation and reporting.

Lesson 2 • Anatomical Positions and Directional Terms

This establishes standard anatomical reference language used in positioning and documentation. Correct directional terminology ensures precise communication about patient placement.

Lesson 3 • Body Systems Overview for CNAs

This surveys major body systems with emphasis on functions relevant to daily care tasks. It connects anatomy to observable patient changes a CNA must report.

Lesson 1 • Documenting and Reporting Vital Signs

This establishes correct charting formats and escalation thresholds for abnormal findings. Timely, accurate documentation is a legal and patient safety requirement.

Lesson 2 • Blood Pressure Measurement

This instructs manual sphygmomanometer technique and automated cuff use with error prevention. Accurate BP readings directly influence medication and treatment decisions.

Lesson 3 • Pulse and Respiration Assessment

This teaches radial pulse palpation, apical pulse auscultation, and respiratory rate counting. Rhythm and depth observations are equally important as numeric values.

Lesson 4 • Temperature Measurement Techniques

This covers oral, axillary, tympanic, and rectal routes with correct equipment use. Route selection and accurate reading are foundational to detecting fever or hypothermia.

Lesson 1 • Positioning Patients in Bed

This covers Fowler's, supine, lateral, prone, and Sims' positions with pressure injury prevention. Correct positioning maintains circulation, airway, and musculoskeletal alignment.

Lesson 2 • Mechanical Lift Operation

This covers full-body and sit-to-stand lift setup, sling selection, and safe operation sequence. Mechanical lifts are mandatory for patients who cannot bear weight safely.

Lesson 3 • Ambulation Assistance and Fall Response

This teaches gait belt-assisted walking, assistive device use, and controlled fall technique. Students also practice post-fall response and documentation procedures.

Lesson 4 • Bed-to-Chair and Chair-to-Bed Transfers

This instructs pivot transfer, stand-and-pivot, and sit-to-stand techniques with gait belt application. Transfer safety depends on patient weight-bearing status and correct assistant positioning.

Lesson 1 • Dressing and Undressing Assistance

This teaches sequencing for dressing patients with weakness, paralysis, or IV lines. Correct technique prevents injury and supports patient autonomy and self-esteem.

Lesson 2 • Hair, Nail, and Shaving Care

This addresses hair washing, combing, nail trimming limitations, and safe shaving procedures. Cultural preferences and facility policies guide individualized grooming assistance.

Lesson 3 • Toileting, Continence, and Elimination Care

This covers bedpan, urinal, commode, and incontinence pad use with dignity-centered technique. Proper elimination care prevents skin breakdown and urinary tract infections.

Lesson 4 • Oral Hygiene and Denture Care

This teaches toothbrushing, flossing, and denture cleaning for conscious and unconscious patients. Oral hygiene prevents aspiration pneumonia and maintains patient comfort.

Lesson 1 • Enteral Feeding Awareness and Output Tracking

This introduces CNA responsibilities related to tube feeding observation and output measurement. Students learn to identify complications and report findings without manipulating feeding equipment.

Lesson 2 • Fluid Intake and Hydration Monitoring

This covers fluid restriction and encouragement orders, intake measurement, and dehydration signs. Accurate fluid tracking is a critical CNA documentation responsibility.

Lesson 3 • Dysphagia Awareness and Aspiration Prevention

This identifies swallowing difficulty signs and precautions required for at-risk patients. Aspiration pneumonia is a preventable complication directly linked to CNA feeding technique.

Lesson 4 • Oral Feeding Assistance Techniques

This teaches meal setup, pacing, cueing, and adaptive equipment use for patients needing assistance. Dignity-centered feeding preserves patient autonomy and reduces mealtime anxiety.

Lesson 1 • Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Care

This teaches behavioral approaches, redirection, and safe environment strategies for cognitively impaired patients. Person-centered dementia care reduces agitation and improves cooperation with ADLs.

Lesson 2 • Pediatric and Maternal Patient Considerations

This highlights developmental stage differences and family-centered care principles for younger patients. CNA interactions with children and new mothers require age-appropriate communication and technique.

Lesson 3 • Restorative Nursing Principles

This defines restorative care goals, the CNA's role in rehabilitation teams, and independence-promoting techniques. Restorative approaches reduce functional decline and rehospitalization rates.

Lesson 4 • End-of-Life Care and Postmortem Procedures

This covers comfort-focused care, signs of approaching death, and postmortem body care procedures. CNAs provide compassionate presence and physical care during the dying process and after death.