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Common Geriatric Illnesses

Anxiety and Trauma Responses in Older Residents

Learn the CNA's role with anxiety and PTSD in older adults — understanding anxiety disorders and PTSD as real, treatable conditions, recognizing their signs (including panic attacks and trauma triggers), responding calmly to an anxious or triggered resident, delivering trauma-informed care (predictability, choice, consent, explaining before touching), understanding how dementia can resurface old trauma, and reporting faithfully. CNAs do NOT diagnose, provide therapy, give or adjust medications, or process trauma with residents.

1h1 Online CE hourintermediateCAL ACE Faculty

Overview

Learn the CNA's role with anxiety and PTSD in older adults — understanding anxiety disorders and PTSD as real, treatable conditions, recognizing their signs (including panic attacks and trauma triggers), responding calmly to an anxious or triggered resident, delivering trauma-informed care (predictability, choice, consent, explaining before touching), understanding how dementia can resurface old trauma, and reporting faithfully. CNAs do NOT diagnose, provide therapy, give or adjust medications, or process trauma with residents.

Course curriculum

What you'll learn

A structured path from your first lesson through certificate-ready completion — designed for busy California CNAs.

1h
3 modules
12 lessons
1 Online CE hour

Skills & knowledge gained

  • Recognize anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD responses.
  • Respond calmly and correctly.
  • Deliver trauma-informed care.
  • Understand how dementia resurfaces trauma.
  • Know your scope — what a CNA does, and what a CNA must never do.

Your learning path

  1. Understanding Anxiety and PTSD

    4 lessons · ~20 min

  2. Recognition, Prevention, and CNA Role

    4 lessons · ~20 min

  3. Action, Judgment, and Application

    4 lessons · ~20 min

  4. Certificate of completion

    Pass the final exam and active participation requirements to earn your CE certificate.

Module breakdown

Module 1

Understanding Anxiety and PTSD

  • Introduction
  • Terms & Definitions
  • Statistics
  • Fundamentals

Module 2

Recognition, Prevention, and CNA Role

  • Signs & Symptoms
  • Causes
  • CNA Role & Best Practices
  • Prevention & Risk Reduction

Module 3

Action, Judgment, and Application

  • Scenario & Reporting
  • CNA's Role in Care
  • Case Study
  • Conclusion

Course outline

Module 1: Understanding Anxiety and PTSD

  1. 1. Introduction5 min
  2. 2. Terms & Definitions5 min
  3. 3. Statistics5 min
  4. 4. Fundamentals5 min

Module 2: Recognition, Prevention, and CNA Role

  1. 1. Signs & Symptoms5 min
  2. 2. Causes5 min
  3. 3. CNA Role & Best Practices5 min
  4. 4. Prevention & Risk Reduction5 min

Module 3: Action, Judgment, and Application

  1. 1. Scenario & Reporting5 min
  2. 2. CNA's Role in Care5 min
  3. 3. Case Study5 min
  4. 4. Conclusion5 min

Provider & completion requirements

Provider: CAL ACE Nursing Academy

CAL ACE Nursing Academy · support@cna.school · (408) 256-0763

To earn your certificate

  • Sign in with your learner account
  • Complete interactive lesson content (50 minutes active participation for 1 Online CE hour)
  • Pass the final course exam
  • Submit the learner attestation before your certificate is issued

Support: support@cna.school

$3.75

Not enrolled

Eligible for 1-year or 2-year unlimited plans