Character Traits
This trait means showing kindness and concern for patients’ feelings.
What is compassion?
The most important and effective way to prevent the spread of infection.
What is handwashing?
How many links are in the chain of infection?
What is six?
Name the 6 vital signs.
What is temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pain level?
This organ allows us to breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
What are the lungs?
A normal, clear lung sound that indicates healthy airflow.
What are clear breath sounds?
This trait means being on time, prepared, and dressed appropriately for work.
What is professionalism?
These items protect healthcare workers from blood and body fluids.
What is PPE? (Personal Protective Equipment)
This link is the germ or microorganism that causes disease.
What is the infectious agent?
This vital sign measures how fast the heart beats.
What is pulse (heart rate)?
This tube carries air from the nose and mouth to the lungs.
What is the trachea?
A high-pitched whistling sound usually heard during exhalation, often seen in asthma patients.
What is wheezing?
Related condition: Asthma / airway narrowing
CNA/MA intervention: Sit patient upright, report to nurse/provider, check oxygen saturation, assist with prescribed inhaler or oxygen if ordered
This trait means keeping patient information private and following HIPAA rules.
What is confidentiality?
Gloves, masks, gowns, and goggles are examples of this.
What is personal protective equipment? (PPE)
This link is where the germ lives and grows (example: human body, water, soil).
What is the reservoir?
Normal adult respirations are about this many breaths per minute.
What is 12–20 breaths per minute?
Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange happens.
What are alveoli?
A bubbling or crackling sound heard in the lungs caused by fluid buildup.
What are crackles (rales)?
Related condition: Pneumonia, heart failure, pulmonary edema
CNA/MA intervention: Elevate head of bed, monitor respirations & SpO₂, report findings, encourage coughing/deep breathing if ordered.
This trait means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
What is integrity?
This type of precaution is used for all patients, regardless of diagnosis.
What are standard precautions?
This link is how the germ leaves the body (coughing, blood, sneezing).
What is the portal of exit?
This tool is used to measure blood pressure.
What is a sphygmomanometer?
Oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide leaves the blood in this process.
What is gas exchange?
A low-pitched, snoring or gurgling sound caused by mucus in the airway.
What are rhonchi?
Related condition: Bronchitis, COPD, excessive secretions
CNA/MA intervention: Encourage coughing, provide oral suction if trained/ordered, position patient to improve airflow, report changes to provider
This trait helps healthcare workers stay calm, respectful, and supportive when working with difficult patients or stressful situations.
What is empathy or patience?
Cleaning equipment and surfaces to destroy microorganisms is called this.
What is disinfection? (Sterilization)
Name one way to break the chain of infection.
What is handwashing, PPE, cleaning surfaces, vaccinations, isolation, etc?
Why are vital signs important in healthcare?
What is, they show how well the body is functioning and can detect illness or changes in health early?
Name one disease or condition that affects the respiratory system.
What is asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, COVID-19, emphysema, etc?
An abnormal lung sound that becomes louder after coughing usually indicates what problem — and what should the CNA/MA do?
Problem: Mucus or secretions in the airway (rhonchi)
Intervention: Encourage coughing, reposition patient, monitor breathing & oxygen levels, and report to the nurse/provider