Challenging CNA exam..help please?

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I am challenging the CNA exam in Florida soon, and I'm beginning to worry that I am in way over my head and won't pass the test. I am fairly confident about the written portion (though I may eat my words) but have some questions about portions of the clinical skills section..any help would be appreciated.

1.Changing an occupied bed: Do I leave the top sheet over the patient the whole time in order to keep them covered, and change only the bottom sheet first? Then remove the top sheet and replace it with a new one? Do I need to assist the resident to lay on his/her side, and how do I best do this? What's the best way to replace the pillowcase?

2.Changing resident to side-lying position: What is the best thing to use behind the patient's back..a pillow rolled in half, towel, blanket? Will there be padding or something available to put between the person's knees, ankles, and under their arm?

For both 2 and 3, what is the correct way to align and turn the patient?

The other problem I am having is where to put all of the stuff needed to do the skill. For example, when giving a partial bed bath/doing perineal or foot care. I know you need a basin of water, two washcloths, soap, towel, etc. Where do you set everything? Do you sit on the edge of the bed or stand when performing the bath? Where do you sit for foot care? Where do you put the soapy washcloth while you are using the rinsing cloth?

I apologize for all the questions. I am trying to get in as much practice as possible before the test but I want to make sure I'm practicing correctly!

As for the written exam, I didn't miss any questions on the practice exam, but I'm a bit concerned that there may be things that aren't on the practice test that aren't 'common sense' (meaning something they only teach you in a care setting or a class).

Thanks so much for any help!

I'm taking mine in Gainesville. I watched the videos today and feel a bit better.

Another question, though! When you clean the bedpan, where do you clean it? Just rinse it in the sink or what? Somehow it just doesn't seem right...

Did they have the bath blanket in Ocala? :D

Driving all over hell trying to find a BP cuff to practice with. All of the pharmacies only carry the digital now. Have to go to the medical supply store tomorrow..I got there today about 5 minutes after they closed :(.

So..check the brachial before putting the cuff on?

May I ask why you are allowed to challenge the exam? I'm curious because I'm trying to help my friend regarding the CNA and if she can just challenge the exam without taking the class that would be great. She has experience as a caregiver, but she's never taken the CNA Thanks in advance

In the real world you won't be using your skills the way you are taught. There is NO time to do ALL the steps when caring for 8-12 patients in a facility.

Cubanita..In Florida at least, you can challenge the exam if you don't have professional experience as long as you have a high school diploma or GED. I'm doing my testing through Prometric. They have a website where you can register/pay for the test online and choose the location closest to you to take the test. You have three chances to pass the test (you have to wait 30 days between each attempt) and if you fail all 3 times, then you have to take an approved class before you can try again. There are lots of resources online and also home study courses/DVDs that you can order online to prepare you for the test. My guess is if she already has caregiving experience and studies what they want for the exam, she will pass. The prometric website gives you a list of the clinical skills they might test you on, as well as a practice written test. There are other practice tests online as well.

Monica: That's the difficulty with challenging the exam. I've also been a caregiver for family members, but how you do things in the 'real world' and how they expect things to be done are quite different.

Specializes in Alzheimers, Geriatrics, phys. challenege.

In the state Florida, they have the option to challenge (E3) the exam. If you are short on time and funds, and think you can pass, you may challenge. That is what I am doing. I have been a caregiver for nearly 4 years and I am challenging. I am thinking about going to observe (sit in) on a refersher course in Orlando, because from what I have learned, studied and heard, the clinical portion of the exam may be very dificult to pass if you have not had any training on how the Instuctors will be testing you.

Specializes in Alzheimers, Geriatrics, phys. challenege.

BossBadger - Do you have any links to the skills videos you were referring to? Other than the ones posted on this forum?

The ones I used are posted on here somewhere, but I'm not sure where so here's the link:

http://deptets.fvtc.edu/nursing/index.htm

Some of the skills they show you, they show more steps than you would actually have to do. For example, I think they combine the nail care with the bed bath, etc. There is also a lot of extraneous stuff, but if you skim through you can find every one of the exam skills on there.

Good luck!

Specializes in LTC, LTAC, REHAB, MED.ONC.

LONG POST BUT HOPE IT HELPS 8-)I challenged and passed the cna test in florida on 8/15. I was a nervous wreck but it was actually easier than I thought It would be. My advise to anyone planning to challenge the exam is to watch the videos posted here, go to the prometric website and print up the outline of the skills. Make sure you know these particular steps, the tester is specifically looking for these. I also brought a cna text book from amazon, it was only about $12. There were also helpful videos on youtube.Now on the actual test date talk yourself through the steps out loud it helps a lot. Take your time and dont be afraid to correct yourself if you make a mistake. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, never sit on the patient's bed. The soapy washcloth can either go to the linen hamper or on the side of the basin if you still need it. You can sit for foot care if you can find an availablechair. While making an occupied bed, the top sheet stay on the patient for privacy then place clean sheet over the dirty top sheet and remove from underneath without exposing your patient. During the exam, make sure you talk to your patient and explain what you are going to do. Handwashing is extremely important. Safety, infection control, patient privacy and rights are also important. Although you may be nervous, be sure to follow direction. Remember the right and left side of the patient. Never place the bedpan on the overbed table. After emptying a foley, record the output. Record your vitals as well. Good luck with everything! keep practicing.

Yes, you can challenge it. Go to the prometrics website for more info

Specializes in Alzheimers, Geriatrics, phys. challenege.

Anyone taken the Prometric CNA exam recently in Florida? If so, can you tell me what the setting was like? Did you do your clinicals on a manikin, or a volunteer? Has anyone taken the exam at Casel in Melbourne? What skills were you tested on (other than handwashing and indirect care, rights, comforts, safety). Is the written that much different than the practice they make available on the Prometric website? Also, Is anyone familiar with The Cambridge Institute of education in Orlando? I am sitting in as an observer on their 4 hour refresher course this weekend and was curious if anyone had attended this school. Any feedback from anyone that has taken the Prometric exam would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you (soon to be NewCna - dont know why I created that user name before taking my exam)

Foot care in FL? That's new to me. Here, in Michigan, we aren't supposed to do foot care- in case the resident is a diabetic. Does teh test really vary that much from state to state? Although it's still Prometric?

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