Includes bibliographical references, appendices, glossary, Index.

Introduction to Health Care -- Chapter 1: The Health Care System (A Holistic Approach to Health Care; Health Care Organizations; Patients, Residents, and Clients; Oversight of the Health Care System; Paying for Health Care) -- Chapter 2: The Nursing Assistant’s Job (Education of the Nursing Assistant; The Nursing Assistant as a Member of the Nursing Team; Legal and Ethical Aspects of the Nursing Assistant’s Job) -- Chapter 3: Professionalism and Job‑Seeking Skills (Working as a Professional; Finding a Job) -- Chapter 4: Communication Skills (Introduction to Communication; Communicating with People with Special Needs; Resolving Conflicts; Using the Telephone; Communication Among Members of the Health Care Team) -- Chapter 5: Those We Care For (Growth and Development; Basic Human Needs; Human Sexuality and Intimacy; Culture and Religion; Quality of Life; What Is It Like to Be a Patient or Resident) -- Chapter 6: The Patient’s or Resident’s Environment (The Physical Environment; Furniture and Equipment; Adapting the Environment to the Individual) -- UNIT TWO: The Human Body in Health and Disease – Chapter 7: Basic Body Structure and Function (How Is the Body Organized?; The Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Nervous, Sensory, Endocrine, Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive Systems) -- Chapter 8: Common Disorders (Introduction to Disorders; Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Nervous System, Sensory, Endocrine, Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive, Mental Health Disorders) -- Chapter 9: Rehabilitation and Restorative Care (Introduction to Rehabilitation and Restorative Care; Types of Rehabilitation; The Role of the Nursing Assistant) -- UNIT THREE: Long‑Term Care – Chapter 10: Overview of Long‑Term Care (Types of Long‑Term Care Settings; Long‑Term Care Past, Present, and Future; Oversight of Long‑Term Care; Paying for Long‑Term Care) -- Chapter 11: The Long‑Term Care Resident (Our Aging Population; Factors Leading to Long‑Term Care Admissions; Making the Adjustment to Long‑Term Care; Living with a Chronic Condition; The Young Resident; Quality of Life in the Long‑Term Care Setting) -- Chapter 12: Caring for People With Dementia (Introduction to Dementia; Types of Dementia; The “Four A’s” of Dementia; Behaviors Associated with Dementia; Caring for a Person With Dementia; Effects on the Caregiver) -- UNIT FOUR: Safety – Chapter 13: Infection Control (Causes of Infection; Defenses Against Infection; Ways Infections Are Transmitted; The Chain of Infection; Methods of Infection Control; OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard) -- Chapter 14: Workplace Safety (Protecting Your Body; Following Procedures; Fire Safety; Preventing Chemical and Electrical Injuries; Disaster Preparedness; Workplace Violence) -- Chapter 15: Patient and Resident Safety (Accidents and Incidents in the Health Care Setting; Restraints and Restraint Alternatives) -- Chapter 16: Basic First Aid and Emergency Care (Responding to an Emergency; Basic Life Support (BLS) Measures; Emergency Situations) -- UNIT FIVE: Basic Patient and Resident Care – Chapter 17: Assisting With Repositioning and Transferring (Assisting With Repositioning; Assisting With Transferring) -- Chapter 18: Assisting With Exercise (Assisting With Walking (Ambulation); Assisting With Range‑of‑Motion Exercises) -- Chapter 19: Bedmaking (Linens; Standard Bedmaking Techniques) -- Chapter 20: Measuring and Recording Vital Signs, Height, and Weight (Introduction to Vital Signs; Body Temperature; Pulse; Respiration; Blood Pressure; Height and Weight) -- Chapter 21: Assisting With Hygiene (Introduction to Personal Hygiene; Assisting with Oral Care; Assisting with Perineal Care; Assisting with Bathing) -- Chapter 22: Preventing Pressure Ulcers and Assisting With Wound Care (Preventing Pressure Ulcers; Assisting With Wound Care) -- Chapter 23: Assisting With Grooming (Hand Care; Foot Care; Dressing and Undressing; Hair Care; Shaving; Vision and Hearing Accessories) -- Chapter 24: Assisting With Nutrition (Introduction to Nutrition; Factors Affecting Food Choices and Eating Habits; Special Diets; Assisting With Meals; Assisting With Fluids; Alternative Ways of Providing Nutrition and Fluids; Monitoring Blood Glucose Levels) -- Chapter 25: Assisting With Urinary Elimination (Bedside Commodes, Bedpans, Urinals; Caring for a Person With a Catheter; Incontinence; Obtaining a Urine Specimen; Measuring Urine Output) -- Chapter 26: Assisting With Bowel Elimination (Introduction to Bowel Elimination; Troubleshooting; Obtaining a Stool Specimen; Enemas; Ostomy Care) -- Chapter 27: Assisting With Comfort and Rest (General Comfort Measures; Managing Pain; Heat and Cold Applications) -- UNIT SIX: Special Care Concerns – Chapter 28: Caring for People Who Are Dying (Terminal Illness; Advance Directives and Wills; Attitudes Toward Death and Dying; Care and Support of the Dying Person and the Family; Postmortem Care) -- Chapter 29: Caring for People with Developmental Disabilities (Introduction to Developmental Disabilities; Education and Protection of Rights; Caring for People With Developmental Disabilities) -- Chapter 30: Caring for People with Cancer (Introduction to Cancer; Detecting and Treating Cancer; Caring for a Person with Cancer) -- Chapter 31: Caring for People with HIV/AIDS (Introduction to HIV/AIDS; Attitudes Toward People With HIV/AIDS; Caring for a Person with HIV/AIDS) -- Chapter 32: Caring for People Who Are Having Surgery (Pre‑, Intra‑, Post‑Operative Care; Oxygen Therapy) -- Chapter 33: Caring for People in the Home Environment (Introduction to Home Health Care; The Home Health Aide; The Home Health Care Environment; Infection Control) -- Appendix A: Answers to "What Did You Learn?" Questions -- Appendix B: Introduction to the Language of Health Care -- Glossary -- Index.

This updated fifth edition provides nursing assistant students with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care in a variety of healthcare settings. It adopts a humanistic approach to caregiving that emphasizes dignity, empathy, and respect for individuals receiving care. The book features clear explanations, real-life scenarios, practical tips, and up-to-date information aligned with current standards of care and certification requirements. Topics include communication, infection control, safety, basic nursing skills, patient rights, long-term care, mental health, end-of-life care, and more.