CNA Skills Test in Califonia- HANDWASHING.. right way

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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HI.. good day everyone. I have questions regarding the proper way of doing the hand washing for the state exam here in California.

1.) Do I need to use paper towel to turn the faucet on?

2.) In drying the hands, does it have to pat dry or rub? from fingertips to wrist / wrist to fingertips.. how many paper towels per hand?

Any advice for those who have taken the CNA exam here in California? Thanks a lot.

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I'm not in California but I can't imagine it's that different... I was a CNA for 11yrs before becoming a nurse. You don't need paper towels to turn on the faucet. Turn it on, remove your rings, don't have dangling bracelets, make sure sleeves are pushed up. Get soap and was your hands being careful to scrub between fingers and also rub your fingernails on your palm to get them clean (no fake nails). Get your paper towels (two is usually good) pay dry then turn off the faucet with a CLEAN paper towel. Put your rings back on. Hope I didn't forget anything... Hopefully it's the same everywhere, I'm sure it's close... Good luck!

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thank you RN&mom... I've been watching videos on youtube, I was just confused because some would use paper towel to turn on the faucet, some would not.. some were using different methods in drying the hands...

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California may be different but we did not have to use a PT to turn on the faucet. Though I guess better safe than sorry, I can't imagine being penalized for doing it... I'm sure someone from California will reply though. Good luck! CNA work is tough but very rewarding!

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Specializes in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.

I took my test in Cali.

1. You don't need to use a pt to turn on, but you need one to turn off.

2. Do not rub to dry down. Pat dry.

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Thank you RN&mom.. I really appreciate it

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I took my test in Cali.

1. You don't need to use a pt to turn on, but you need one to turn off.

2. Do not rub to dry down. Pat dry.

Thank you cj_shima, when did you take your exam and where, was it difficult? are they strict? do you dry it from fingertips to wrist, or wrist to fingertips...

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In Missouri, you use a paper towel to turn on. Before turning off water, you get a towel, dry your hands, then GET A NEW TOWEL to turn off faucet. A lot of us just used the same towel, but got dinged for it. Didn't make us fail of course, but made us irritated haha.

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In Missouri, you use a paper towel to turn on. Before turning off water, you get a towel, dry your hands, then GET A NEW TOWEL to turn off faucet. A lot of us just used the same towel, but got dinged for it. Didn't make us fail of course, but made us irritated haha.

thank you.. how do you dry your hands, s it from fingertips to wrist?

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