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Procedure Index 11
Using This Book 14
Section I
Understanding Home Health
Aide Services 17
Chapter 1
Home Care and the Healthcare System
1. Describe the structure of the healthcare
system and describe ways it is changing 17
2. Explain Medicare and Medicaid, and list
when Medicare recipients may receive home care 18
3. Explain the purpose of and need for home
health care 19
4. List key events in the history of home care
services 20
5. Identify the basic methods of payment for
home health services 20
6. Describe a typical home health agency 21
7. Explain how working for a home health
agency is different from working in other types of facilities 22
Chapter 2
The Home Health Aide and Care Team
1. Identify the role of each healthcare team
member 24
2. Define the client care plan and explain its
purpose 26
3. Describe how each team member contributes
to the care plan 26
4. Describe the role of the home health aide
and explain typical tasks performed 27
5. Identify tasks outside the scope of
practice for home health aides 28
6. List the federal regulations that apply to
home health aides 28
7. Describe the purpose of the chain of
command 29
8. Define policies and procedures and explain
why they are important 29
9. List examples of a professional
relationship with a client and an employer 30
10. Demonstrate how to organize care
assignments 31
11. Demonstrate good personal grooming
habits 32
12. Identify personal qualities a home health
aide must have 32
13. Identify an employer’s
responsibilities 33
Chapter 3
Legal and Ethical Issues
1. List examples of legal and ethical
behavior 36
2. List examples of clients’ rights and
explain why they are important 36
3. List examples of behavior supporting and
promoting clients’ rights 39
4. Explain HIPAA and list ways to protect
clients' confidentiality 39
Section II
Building a Foundation:
Before Client Care 42
Chapter 4
Communication and Cultural Diversity
1. Define communication 42
2. Explain verbal and nonverbal
communication 43
3. Identify barriers to communication 44
4. List ways to make communication accurate
and complete 45
5. Describe the difference between facts and
opinions 46
6. Explain how to develop effective
interpersonal relationships 46
7. Describe basic medical terminology and
approved abbreviations 47
8. Explain how to give and receive an accurate
oral report of a client’s status 48
9. Demonstrate how to report and document
factual observations in written or oral form 49
10. Explain why documentation is important and
describe how to document visit records and incident reports 50
11. Demonstrate ability to use verbal and
written information to assist with the care plan 51
12. Demonstrate effective communication on the
telephone 51
13. Describe cultural diversity and religious
differences 52
14. List examples of cultural and religious
differences 54
15. List ways of coping with combative
behavior 54
16. List ways of coping with inappropriate
behavior 55
Chapter 5
Infection Control and Standard Precautions
1. Define asepsis and explain the chain of
infection 57
2. Identify when to wash hands 58
3. Identify when to wear gloves 59
4. Identify when to use personal protective
equipment (PPE) 61
5. Explain how to handle spills 62
6. Explain and follow Standard Precautions 62
7. Explain guidelines of care for clients with
infectious diseases 64
8. Explain sterilization and disinfection 65
9. Explain how bloodborne diseases are
transmitted 66
10. Explain the basic facts regarding HIV and
hepatitis infection 66
11. Identify high risk behaviors that allow
the spread of HIV/AIDS and HBV 67
12. Demonstrate knowledge of the legal aspects
of AIDS, including testing 67
13. Identify community resources and services
available to clients with HIV/AIDS 67
14. Explain tuberculosis and list infection
control guidelines 68
15. Explain the importance of reporting a
possible exposure to an airborne or bloodborne disease 68
16. Explain the terms MRSA and VRE 69
17. List employer and employee
responsibilities for infection control 69
Chapter 6
Safety and Body Mechanics
1. Explain the principles of body mechanics 72
2. Apply principles of body mechanics to your
daily activities 73
3. List ways to adapt the home to principles
of good body mechanics 74
4. Identify five common types of accidents in
the home 75
5. List home fire safety guidelines and
describe what to do in case of fire 79
6. Discuss the use of restraints and related
problems 80
7. Identify ways to reduce the risk of
automobile accidents 81
8. Identify guidelines for using your car on
the job 81
9. Identify guidelines for working in
high-crime areas 81
Chapter 7
Emergency Care and Disaster Preparation
1. Demonstrate how to recognize and respond
to medical emergencies 84
2. Demonstrate knowledge of first aid
procedures 85
3. Identify emergency evacuation procedures 93
4. Demonstrate knowledge of disaster
procedures 93
Section III
A Holistic Approach to Understanding Clients 95
Chapter 8
Physical, Psychological, and Social Health
1. Identify basic human needs 95
2. Define holistic care 96
3. Identify ways to help clients meet their
spiritual needs 97
4. Discuss family roles and their significance
in health care 97
5. Describe personal adjustments of the
individual and family to illness and disability 98
6. Identify community resources for individual
and family health 99
7. List ways to respond to emotional needs of
clients and their families 99
Chapter 9
The Human Body in Health and Disease
1. Describe the integumentary system 101
2. Describe the musculoskeletal system 102
3. Describe the nervous system 104
4. Describe the circulatory or cardiovascular
system 106
5. Describe the respiratory system 107
6. Describe the urinary system 108
7. Describe the gastrointestinal or digestive
system 110
8. Describe the endocrine system 112
9. Describe the reproductive system 113
10. Describe the immune and lymphatic
systems 115
Chapter 10
Human Development and Aging
1. Describe the stages of human development
and identify common disorders for each group 117
2. Distinguish between fact (what is true) and
fallacy (what is not true) about the aging process 121
3. Discuss normal changes of aging and list
care guidelines 122
4. Identify attitudes and living habits that
promote good health 127
5. List ways to recognize and report elder
abuse and neglect 129
6. Identify community resources available to
help the elderly 129
Chapter 11
Dying, Death and Hospice
1. Discuss the stages of dying 131
2. Describe the grief process 132
3. Discuss how feelings and attitudes about
death differ 132
4. Explain common signs of approaching
death 133
5. Discuss how to care for a dying client 133
6. Define the goals of a hospice program 135
7. Identify special skills and attitudes
helpful in hospice work 136
8. Describe the role of the hospice
volunteer 136
9. Discuss the importance of caring for
yourself when working in hospice care 136
Section IV
Developing Personal Care
and Basic Healthcare
Skills 138
Chapter 12
Transfers, Ambulation, and Positioning
1. Explain the guidelines for safely
transferring and positioning clients 138
2. Explain the guidelines for safely
positioning a client in each of the five basic positions 147
3. List things you can do to help make your
client comfortable 152
Chapter 13
Personal Care Skills
1. Describe the home health aide’s role
in assisting clients with personal care 157
2. Explain guidelines for assisting with
bathing 158
3. Describe guidelines for assisting with
grooming 168
4. Identify guidelines for good oral care 171
5. Explain care guidelines for hearing aids
and prosthetic devices 175
6. Explain guidelines for assisting with
toileting 176
7. Describe how to dispose of body wastes 179
Chapter 14
Core Healthcare Skills
1. Explain the importance of monitoring vital
signs 181
2. List three types of specimens you may
collect from a client 192
3. Describe the importance of fluid balance
and explainintake and output (I&O) 196
4. Describe the guidelines for catheter
care 198
5. Explain the benefits of warm and cold
applications 201
6. Explain how to apply non-sterile
dressings 205
7. Describe the purpose of anti-embolic
hose 206
8. Define the term ostomy and list care
guidelines 206
Chapter 15
Rehabilitation and Restorative Care
1. List goals of restorative home care 209
2. Explain the home care rehabilitation
model 209
3. Describe guidelines for assisting with
restorative care 210
4. Describe how to assist with range of motion
exercises 211
5. Explain the guidelines maintaining proper
body alignment 216
6. List important observations to make about
changes in a client’s skin 216
7. List guidelines for providing basic skin
care and preventing pressure sores 217
8. Describe the guidelines for caring for
clients who have fractures or casts 218
9. List the guidelines for caring for a client
who has a hip fracture 219
10. List ways to adapt the environment for
people with physical limitations 221
11. Identify reasons clients lose bowel or
bladder control 221
12. Explain the guidelines for assisting with
bowel or bladder retraining 222
13. Describe the benefits of deep breathing
exercises 223
Chapter 16
Medications and Technology in Home Care
1. List four guidelines for safe and proper
use of medications 225
2. Identify the five “rights” of
medications 226
3. Explain how to assist a client with
self-administered medications 226
4. Identify observations about medications
that should be reported right away 227
5. Describe what to do in an emergency
involving medications 227
6. Identify methods of medication storage 227
7. Identify signs of drug misuse and abuse and
know how to report these 228
8. Demonstrate an understanding of oxygen
equipment 229
9. Explain guidelines for the care of a client
with an IV 230
Section V
Special Clients, Special Needs 232
Chapter 17
Clients with Disabilities
1. Identify common causes of disabilities 233
2. Describe daily challenges a person with a
disability may face 233
3. Define terms related to disabilities and
explain why they are important 233
4. Identify social and emotional needs of
persons with disabilities 234
5. Explain how a disability may affect
sexuality and intimacy 234
6. Identify skills you have already learned
that can be applied to clients with disabilities 234
7. List five goals to work toward when
assisting clients who have disabilities 234
8. Identify five qualities of excellent
service needed by clients with disabilities 235
9. Explain how to adapt personal care
procedures to meet the needs of clients with disabilities 236
10. List important changes to report and
document for a client with disabilities 242
Chapter 18
Mental Health and Mental Illness
1. Identify five characteristics of mental
health 244
2. Identify four causes of mental illness 244
3. Distinguish between fact and fallacy
concerning mental illness 245
4. Explain the connection between mental and
physical wellness 245
5. List guidelines for communicating with
mentally ill clients 245
6. Identify and define common defense
mechanisms 246
7. Describe the symptoms of anxiety,
depression, and schizophrenia 246
8. Explain how medications can help a client
who is mentally ill 248
9. Explain your role in caring for clients who
are mentally ill 248
10. Identify important observations that
should be made and reported 249
11. List the signs of substance abuse 249
Chapter 19
New Mothers, Infants and Children
1. Explain the growth of home care for new
mothers and infants 251
2. Identify common neonatal disorders 251
3. Identify ways of assisting a new mother
with her transition to the home 251
4. List important observations to report
and document 252
5. Explain guidelines for safely handling a
baby 252
6. Describe guidelines for assisting with
feeding a baby 254
7. Explain guidelines for bathing and changing
a baby 257
8. Explain guidelines for special care 261
9. Identify special physical, mental, and
emotional needs of children 263
10. List symptoms of common childhood
illnesses and the required care 263
11. Identify guidelines for working with
children 264
12. List the signs of child abuse and neglect
and know how to report them 265
Chapter 20
Common Chronic and Acute Conditions
1. Define arthritis and identify treatments
and care guidelines 267
2. Define cancer and list eight risk factors
for cancer 268
3. List seven warning signs of cancer 269
4. Identify common treatments for cancer 269
5. Describe care guidelines for the client who
has cancer 270
6. Identify community resources available to
people with cancer and their families 271
7. Describe diabetes and identify its signs
and complications 271
8. Describe the differences between insulin
shock and diabetic coma, and list care for each 272
9. List care guidelines for the client with
diabetes 273
10. Describe a meal plan for the client with
diabetes 274
11. Define cerebral vascular accident (CVA)
and list common warning signs 275
12. Describe six common physical changes in
CVA clients 276
13. Describe care guidelines and communication
techniques for the CVA client 276
14. Identify common circulatory disorders,
their symptoms, and care guidelines 279
15. Define COPD and list care guidelines 282
16. Define HIV and AIDS and describe care
guidelines 283
17. Describe normal changes of aging in the
brain 286
18. Define dementia and recognize its causes 286
19. Describe Alzheimer’s disease and
identify its stages and related behaviors 287
20. Identify personal attitudes helpful in
caring for people with AD or any dementia 288
21. List three strategies for better
communication with Alzheimer’s clients 289
22. Describe a safe environment for a client
with AD 289
23. Explain how to assist with personal care
and activities of daily living for the client with AD 290
24. List eight difficult behaviors common in
clients with AD and describe ways to manage each 292
25. Describe creative therapies for clients
with AD 294
Section VI
Practical Knowledge and Skills in Home Management 298
Chapter 21
Clean, Safe and Healthy Environments
1. Describe how housekeeping affects physical
and psychological well-being 298
2. List qualities needed to manage a home and
describe general housekeeping guidelines 298
3. Describe cleaning products and equipment 300
4. Describe proper cleaning methods for living
areas, kitchens, bathrooms, and storage areas 300
5. Describe how to prepare a cleaning schedule 305
6. List special housekeeping procedures to use
when infection is present 305
7. Explain how to do laundry and care for
clothes 306
8. List special laundry precautions to use
when infection is present 308
9. List guidelines for teaching housekeeping
skills to clients’ family members 308
10. List three reasons careful bedmaking is
important 308
11. Identify hazardous household materials 312
Chapter 22
Clients’ Nutritional Needs
1. Describe the importance of good nutrition
and list the six basic nutrients 314
2. List the six food groups on the USDA Food
Guide Pyramid 316
3. Identify ways to assist clients in
maintaining fluid balance 318
4. Identify nutritional problems of the
elderly or ill 319
5. Demonstrate awareness of regional,
cultural, and religious food preferences 321
6. List and define common health claims on
food labels 322
7. Explain the information on the FDA-required
Nutrition Facts label 323
8. Explain special or modified diets 324
Chapter 23
Meal Planning, Shopping, Preparation, and Storage
1. Explain how to prepare a basic food plan
and list food shopping guidelines 328
2. List guidelines for safe food preparation 330
3. Identify methods of food preparation 331
4. Identify four methods of low-fat food
preparation 333
5. List four guidelines for safe food storage 333
6. Describe guidelines for assisting with
eating 334
7. Describe eating and swallowing problems a
client may have 335
Chapter 24
Managing Time, Energy, and Money
1. Explain three ways to work more efficiently 338
2. Describe how to follow an established work
plan with the client and family 339
3. Discuss ways to handle inappropriate
requests 339
4. List five money-saving homemaking tips 340
5. List guidelines for handling a
client’s money 340
Section VII
Where Do I Go From Here? 342
Chapter 25
Caring for Yourself and Your Career
1. Explain how to conduct a job search 342
2. Identify documents that may be required
when applying for a job 343
3. Demonstrate completing an effective job
application 343
4. Demonstrate competence in job interview
techniques 344
5. Discuss appropriate responses to criticism 345
6. Identify effective ways to make a complaint
to an employer or supervisor 346
7. Identify guidelines for making job changes 347
8. List your state’s requirements for
maintaining certification 347
9. Describe continuing education for home
health aides 347
10. Define stress and stressors, and list
examples 348
11. Explain ways to manage stress 348
12. Demonstrate two effective relaxation
techniques 349
13. Describe how to develop a personal stress
management plan 350
14. List five guidelines for managing time 351
15. Demonstrate an understanding of the basics
of money management 351
16. Demonstrate an understanding that money
matters are emotional 353
17. List ways to remind yourself that your
work is important, valuable, and meaningful 353
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