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I am currently an LPN student and I am taking my CNA skills exam for the second time in a few days. The first time I passed the written exam and also four out of five of the skills they tested me on. The ONE skill that caused me to fail was taking a pulse. I am extremly upset because obviously I know how to take a pulse or I wouldn't have gotten to the point where I was eligable for CNA. I don't understand what happened. I have taken a pulse a zillion times and could probably do it in my sleep. The only thing I can think of is that maybe it was harder to get an accurate reading because the lady whose pulse I took for the exam was extremly obese???? Anyway I try again soon and I am so nervous!!! I know the skills inside and out!!! Any other advice for getting through the exam without screwing up???

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That happened to me too i failed raidal pulse and my partner was obese i think it does affect how well you can feel the pulse...........You will get it the next time! You most likely wont get pulse agiain

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I really feel for you guys. I also got pulse and my partner was obese, I couldn't find her pulse no matter how hard I tried. The tester was having trouble finding the pulse as well and let me take it on her instead. Found hers right away and passed no problem.

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I'm sorry to hear about that!!! With Pulse a couple of things can fail you.... Here in Florida, if you don't count for the FULL minute its automatic fail so no counting for 10 seconds and then multiplying it by 6. Another fail on pulse is if your fingers aren't on the radial artery and you're off somewhere around the pinky LOL. I also think we're aloud to check the brachial or even the carotid if you have trouble with the radial... not 100% but the first things i mentioned I'm sure. You'll ace the exam next time (hope you have a better partner)

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Sorry to hear about that.

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Someone had posted awhile back a link to an instructional CNA video that you can watch on line the steps one by one that are asked to demonstrate in the exam. Does anyone know it.. or where to find this. Please email me back ([email protected]) Thanks.. Leah

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