How much anatomy do CNAs need to know?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I am preparing to start my CNA training in the fall and I am trying to start preparing now by studying human anatomy on my own. Are there spacific areas of anatomy I should focus on learning over others?

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If you haven't yet had A&P, I wouldn't worry too much about it. They will teach you the A&P that they think you need to know in your CNA course.

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Specializes in LTC.

It's practically nothing especially compared to a real A & P course.

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Specializes in None.

I agree with the above posters. I've only learned the basic (tibulia, fibula, femur, etc.). Sorry for the misspelled words. And of course where the different pulses are (apical, radial, etc.) That's about it :)

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Perineum. That's it. :devil:

Seriously - it's not a bad idea to study up on anatomy, but medical abbreviations & terminology would probably serve you better as a CNA.

----- Dave

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We didn't study any Anatomy at all in my CNA class, mostly just "the knee bone's connected to the foot bone" and stuff. Piece a cake.

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Thank you everyone for the great advice. Can anyone recommend any good medical terminolgy books that I could pick up that would help me get ahead of the curve?

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Specializes in Dialysis.

You need to know enough so that you know what "normal" looks like. That way, if there is a change, you can report it to the nurse. Hmm... his ankles weren't swollen yesterday - report it. Is the urine supposed to be that color? - report it, etc.

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Hmm - far as terminology/abbreviation texts, there's Mosby's & Lippincott, or the ever-popular "Nurse Assistant Training" text from the American Red Cross (which is the textbook we used for our class). Really, pretty much any nurse assistant textbook will give you something to study while you're waiting - also, there are online flashcards & references that can help. Check out Amazon, eBay or just Google "medical abbreviations" to get started.

Probably the best way would be to see if you can find out what textbook will be used in your class, and see if you can snag a copy of that.

----- Dave

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Mosby's CNA textbook is on Amazon today for .16 cents and $4 shipping. Cheap. Even if it isn't the text your class uses it would probably be fine to get now. Used books are a good idea. Information doesn't change that much. Also, contact the state board to see if they have a list of required knowledge for CNA's. Many do.

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Our workbooks had us doing an extensive amount of very basic human anatomy, which is what you need--just the basics. Of course, the more you know, the better. Just don't neglect your knowledge of ADLs and cares; not only are they what you're tested on mostly, but it's your job to provide the best care to these residents.

If it helps, I believe the course materials our class used was the Lippencott series.

Best of luck!

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It's very, very basic anatomy. There isn't much physiology involved. I was a little peeved that my CNA program never mentioned osteoporosis, because it's something I feel that's important for safe transferring. And like someone already said, you have to know enough that you can recognize when something is abnormal.

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