I passed my state CNA exam a month ago. Taking blood pressure is no longer part of the required skills for CT CNAs, to my surprise. Third graders are still taught long multuplication using pencil and paper before being allowed to use a calculator in 7th grade pre-algebra.
I was given a list of residents (LTCF) to get vitals, so I got the "nurse-on-a-pole" (the rolling vitals machine), and went to the resident on the top of my list. The cuff wouldn't inflate. I told the nurse, and she said to use hers, and handed me a sphygmomanometer. I was impressed she was even able to pronounce it; I said, "oooohhhhh, you mean the manual blood pressure cuff thingy. What do you want me to do with this?" The nurse ended up taking the vitals.
My CNA course took about 10 minutes on the manual blood pressure cuff thingy - I practiced it in class twice; that was 2 months ago.
Any CNAs know how to use the manual blood pressure cuff thingy?
Is knowing how to use it part of your state's exam?