CLC PE Exam... HELP!

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Hey guys!!! I'm a first semester student preparing for the PE exam.....

Ive been practicing, but I'm still very nervous and was wondering if anyone could give me any helpful tips or pointers for the PE exam.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks!

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Hi, I'm starting 4th semester in January. Just do what you've been practicing so far. Don't change anything. Things people forgot my 1st semester...

ID the patient against the sticker provided or bring whole chart in.

Alcohol wipe the pad first

put bed down if you raise it

wash hands before and after gloves

IM sites correctly...we HAD to do VG site but i think you can choose

med calculations

gave wrong (unscheduled) meds

documentation

just things i can think of off hand...

AGAIN, ANYONE HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THIRD SEMESTER PE??????

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Hi Pink,

First, and most important, try to relax! You know what you're doing - just go in there and giv your patient great care. I know of only 2 people that failed the PE last semester (I'm in 2nd semester now), and they were because of silly mistakes. I know of many people who failed the first time, but passed on the 2nd. So don't panic if you don't pass the first time. Try as best you can to stay focused, and ignore what the others in the room are doing. Focus on your patient, and try to block out the fact that the evaluator is even there.

Make sure you CAREFULLY review all the documentation in the chart prior to starting. Look for nurse's notes, doctor's notes, etc. Set your watch to the time that the evaluator tells you for the exam, so it makes it easier to do your charting, etc. Make sure you are looking at the correct meds given at the correct time. I know of a couple of people that gave "morning" meds when their particular scenario was an evening one.

Make sure you document in Nurse's Notes using the C.A.R. technique. C = Care you gave (i.e. ambulate - including how far, applied Ted hose - to which leg, etc.), A = Assessment (i.e. assessed skin before and after application of gait belt, warm dry and intact with no redness or irritation noted), R = Reaction of the patient (i.e. Patient tolerated ambulation well, is now in bed resting comfortably, call light within reach).

Don't forget to sign and initial all documentation with first initial, last name and CLCNS. Make sure on the MAR that you include your initials and full signature at the bottom. One of my friends failed the first go 'round because she forgot to sign her nurse's notes.

Again, I can't say this enough. Try your best to relax, and treat this as any other exam. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions!

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AGAIN, ANYONE HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THIRD SEMESTER PE??????

Hey there clcstudent!

I've run into several students in the lab who are in 3rd semester. The only thing I keep hearing from them is that the 2nd semester PE is the hardest one! LOL All of them keep saying that they've heard the 3rd semester PE is pretty simple and straight forward. So hopefully they are right, and you'll have nothing to worry about! Good luck to you!!!

P.S. So since you survived 2nd semester PE - any tips for us???

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Thanks guys...I really appreciate all the tips!! :wink2:

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