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Nursing Assistant: A Nursing Process Approach, 13th Student Edition, 13th Edition

Barbara Acello, Debra Owings, Annamarie Johnson

  • Copyright 2027
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2026-03-02T00:00:00+0000')}}
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Nursing Assistant: A Nursing Process Approach, 13th Student Edition 13th Edition by Barbara Acello/Debra Owings/Annamarie Johnson
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Overview

"Nursing Assistant: A Nursing Process Approach" has prepared more nursing assistants for meaningful careers in acute care, long-term care and home health than any other text. Its signature step-by-step format walks readers through over 150 procedures, including key skills in patient handling, wound care, communication, safety and record keeping, as well as special care procedures for patients with medical devices, catheters and physical or mental impairments. It explores essential background information, such as basic human anatomy, career planning and emerging trends. The 13th edition includes skills such as checking finger stick blood glucose, managing drainage, sterile techniques and more. New Case Studies and Check Point questions demonstrate real-world application and ensure learning, while study tools include a print workbook and many enhanced digital learning activities.

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Meet the Authors

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Barbara Acello

Barbara Acello is an independent nurse consultant and educator in Denton, Texas. She is an active, contributing member of the Texas Nurses Association and the American College of Healthcare Administrators, where she was honored with the national Educator of the Year Award in 2007, the Journalism Award in 2009 and the Chair's Award -- the organization's highest honor -- in 2016 for her years of extraordinary service. Stretching across four decades, her nursing career includes work in hospitals, long-term care facilities and home health, with geriatrics as her preferred area of clinical practice. Presently, she is involved with freelance consulting, lecturing and writing. She has written and contributed to many textbooks, journal articles, instructor guides, computerized test banks, quick reference guides, nursing and managerial reference books, online inservices and supplemental instructional materials for health care personnel. Believing that the nursing assistant is the most important caregiver in the health care facility, Acello is committed to improving working conditions, education and professionalism for these vital professionals. She may be contacted at [email protected].

Debra Owings

Annamarie Johnson

What's New

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  • The 13th edition introduces all new case studies to act as "bell ringers" that open each chapter and demonstrate real-world applications related to the chapter content supported by critical thinking questions. These are examples that students will likely encounter in their health care careers.
  • New Check Point questions provide formative assessments that are mapped to learning objectives and focus on the most critical content as exit tickets for each section.

Features

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  • The authors have carefully reviewed and refined the text to ensure nursing assistant responsibilities are accurately represented. In some areas, the content has been simplified to better align with the varying scope of practice for nursing assistants across the country.
  • The co-authors have updated the material to reflect the latest research, equipment, supplies and procedures, ensuring the content remains current. Many images and graphics have also been revised to support these updates.
  • An emphasis on safety includes a Guidelines features which point out considerations for specific care situations. Alerts features highlight urgent information on infection control, safety, culture, working with difficult patients, OSHA, communication skills, age-appropriate care and legal implications. Clinical Information highlights important information to review with students.
  • A thorough offering of skills and procedures encompasses all career options in the area of nursing assisting, from acute and long-term care to home health and beyond. The program also provides preparatory information for Patient Care Technicians (PCT) to introduce students to more advanced caregiver work in hospitals.
  • A key focus on ergonomics includes OSHA algorithms for proper patient handling and movement to help students avoid injuries to themselves and the patients in their care.
  • Clear and easy-to-understand language, thoughtful explanations and colorful graphics help students process material quickly to maximize their success on certification exams.

Table of Contents

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Sections.
1. Introduction to Nursing Assisting.
2. Scientific Principles.
3. Basic Human Needs and Communication.
4. Infection and Infection Control.
5. Safety and Mobility.
6. Measuring and Recording Vital Signs, Height, and Weight.
7. Patient Care and Comfort Measures.
8. Principles of Nutrition and Fluid Balance.
9. Special Care Procedures.
10. Other Health Care Settings.
11. Body Systems, Common Disorders, and Related Care Procedures.
12. Expanded Role of the Nursing Assistant.
13. Recognizing and Responding to Basic Emergencies.
14. Moving Forward.
Procedures.
1. Handwashing.
2. Putting on a Mask.
3. Putting on a Gown.
4. Putting on Gloves.
5. Removing Contaminated Gloves.
6. Removing Contaminated Gloves, Eye Protection, Gown, and Mask.
7. Serving a Meal in an Isolation Unit.
8. Measuring Vital Signs in an Isolation Unit.
9. Transferring Nondisposable Equipment outside of the Isolation Unit.
10. Specimen Collection from a Patient in an Isolation Unit.
11. Caring for Linens in an Isolation Unit.
12. Transporting a Patient to and from the Isolation Unit.
13. Opening a Sterile Package.
14. Turning the Patient toward You.
15. Turning the Patient Away from You.
16. Moving a Patient to the Head of the Bed.
17. Logrolling the Patient.
18. Applying a Transfer Belt.
19. Transferring the Patient from Bed to Chair — One Assistant.
20. Transferring the Patient from Bed to Chair — Two Assistants.
21. Sliding-Board Transfer from Bed to Wheelchair.
22. Transferring the Patient from Chair to Bed — One Assistant.
23. Transferring the Patient from Chair to Bed — Two Assistants.
24. Transferring the Patient from Bed to Stretcher.
25. Transferring the Patient from Stretcher to Bed.
26. Transferring the Patient with a Mechanical Lift.
27. Transferring the Patient onto and off of the Toilet.
28. Assisting the Patient to Walk with a Cane and Three-Point Gait.
29. Assisting the Person to Walk with a Walker and Three-Point Gait.
30. Assisting the Falling Patient.
31. Measuring an Oral Temperature (Electronic Thermometer).
32. Measuring a Rectal Temperature (Electronic Thermometer).
33. Measuring an Axillary Temperature (Electronic Thermometer).
34. Measuring a Tympanic Temperature.
35. Measuring a Temporal Artery Temperature.
36. Counting the Radial Pulse.
37. Counting the Apical–Radial Pulse.
38. Counting Respirations.
39. Using a Pulse Oximeter.
40. Taking Blood Pressure.
41. Taking Blood Pressure with an Electronic Blood Pressure Apparatus.
42. Weighing and Measuring the Patient Using an Upright Scale.
43. Weighing the Patient on a Chair Scale.
44. Measuring Weight with an Electronic Wheelchair Scale.
45. Measuring and Weighing the Patient in Bed.
46. Admitting the Patient.
47. Transferring the Patient.
48. Discharging the Patient.
49. Making a Closed Bed.
50. Making an Occupied Bed.
51. Assisting with the Tub Bath or Shower.
52. Bed Bath.
53. Changing the Patient’s Gown.
54. Waterless Bed Bath.
55. Partial Bath.
56. Female Perineal Care.
57. Male Perineal Care.
58. Hand and Fingernail Care.
59. Foot and Toenail Care.
60. Bed Shampoo.
61. Dressing and Undressing the Patient.
62. Assisting with Routine Oral Hygiene.
63. Assisting with Special Oral Hygiene — Dependent and Unconscious Patients.
64. Assisting the Patient to Floss and Brush Teeth.
65. Caring for Dentures.
66. Providing Backrubs.
67. Shaving a Male Patient.
68. Providing Daily Hair Care.
69. Giving and Receiving the Bedpan.
70. Giving and Receiving the Urinal.
71. Assisting with Use of the Bedside Commode.
72. Assisting the Patient Who Can Feed Self.
73. Feeding the Dependent Patient.
74. Abdominal Thrusts — Heimlich Maneuver.
75. Applying an Ice Bag or Gel Pack.
76. Applying a Disposable Cold Pack.
77. Giving a Sitz Bath.
78. Assisting the Patient to Deep Breathe and Cough.
79. Applying Elasticized Stockings.
80. Applying an Elastic Bandage.
81. Assisting the Patient to Dangle.
82. Giving Postmortem Care.
83. Applying and Removing Sterile Gloves.
84. Applying a Dry Sterile Dressing.
85. Changing a Clean Dressing and Applying a Bandage.
86. Collecting a Sputum Specimen.
87. Performing Range-of-Motion Exercises (Passive).
88. Obtaining a Fingerstick Blood Sugar.
89. Collecting a Stool Specimen.
90. Testing for Occult Blood Using Hemoccult and Developer.
91. Inserting a Rectal Suppository.
92. Giving a Soap-Solution Enema.
93. Giving a Commercially Prepared Enema.
94. Giving Routine Stoma Care (Colostomy).
95. Giving Routine Care of an Ileostomy (with Patient in Bed).
96. Collecting a Routine Urine Specimen.
97. Collecting a Clean-Catch Urine Specimen.
98. Collecting a 24-Hour Urine Specimen.
99. Collecting a Urine Specimen through a Drainage Port.
100. Routine Drainage Check.
101. Giving Indwelling Catheter Care.
102. Emptying a Urinary Drainage Unit.
103. Disconnecting the Catheter.
104. Connecting a Catheter to a Leg Bag.
105. Emptying a Leg Bag.
106. Removing an Indwelling Catheter.
107. Ultrasound Bladder Scan.
108. Changing a Diaper.
109. Weighing an Infant.
110. Measuring an Infant.
111. Bathing an Infant.
112. Bottle-Feeding an Infant.
113. Assisting with Breastfeeding.
114. Burping an Infant.
115. Admitting a Pediatric Patient.
116. Weighing the Toddler to Adolescent.
117. Changing Crib Linens.
118. Changing Crib Linens (Infant in Crib).
119. Measuring Temperature.
120. Determining Heart Rate (Pulse).
121. Counting Respiratory Rate.
122. Measuring Blood Pressure.
123. Collecting a Urine Specimen from an Infant.

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

MindTap for Acello/Owings/Johnson's Nursing Process Approach, 13th Student Edition, 2 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214974071
MindTap is an outcome-driven application that propels students from memorization to mastery. It’s the only platform that gives you complete ownership of your course. With it, you can challenge every student, build their confidence and empower them to be unstoppable. ACCESS EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE PLACE. Cut down on prep with preloaded, organized course materials in MindTap. Teach more efficiently with interactive multimedia, assignments, quizzes and more. And give your students the power to read, listen and study on their phones, so they can learn on their terms. EMPOWER YOUR STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. Twelve distinct metrics give you actionable insights into student engagement. Identify topics troubling your entire class and instantly communicate with struggling students. And students can track their scores to stay motivated toward their goals. Together, you can accelerate progress. YOUR COURSE. YOUR CONTENT. Only MindTap gives you complete control over your course. You have the flexibility to reorder textbook chapters, add your own notes and embed a variety of content including OER. Personalize course content to your students’ needs. They can even read your notes, add their own and highlight key text to aid their progress. A DEDICATED TEAM, WHENEVER YOU NEED THEM. MindTap isn’t just a tool; it’s backed by a personalized team eager to support you. Get help setting up your course and tailoring it to your specific objectives. You’ll be ready to make an impact from day one. And, we’ll be right here to help you and your students throughout the semester--and beyond.

MindTap for Acello/Owings/Johnson's Nursing Process Approach, 13th Student Edition, 4 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214974095
MindTap is an outcome-driven application that propels students from memorization to mastery. It’s the only platform that gives you complete ownership of your course. With it, you can challenge every student, build their confidence and empower them to be unstoppable. ACCESS EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN ONE PLACE. Cut down on prep with preloaded, organized course materials in MindTap. Teach more efficiently with interactive multimedia, assignments, quizzes and more. And give your students the power to read, listen and study on their phones, so they can learn on their terms. EMPOWER YOUR STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. Twelve distinct metrics give you actionable insights into student engagement. Identify topics troubling your entire class and instantly communicate with struggling students. And students can track their scores to stay motivated toward their goals. Together, you can accelerate progress. YOUR COURSE. YOUR CONTENT. Only MindTap gives you complete control over your course. You have the flexibility to reorder textbook chapters, add your own notes and embed a variety of content including OER. Personalize course content to your students’ needs. They can even read your notes, add their own and highlight key text to aid their progress. A DEDICATED TEAM, WHENEVER YOU NEED THEM. MindTap isn’t just a tool; it’s backed by a personalized team eager to support you. Get help setting up your course and tailoring it to your specific objectives. You’ll be ready to make an impact from day one. And, we’ll be right here to help you and your students throughout the semester--and beyond.