CNA Skills Text question (pulse)

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Oh my, last night after class I really began to get nervous about the Skills part of the certification exam that is coming up in a few weeks. The easiest skill should be taking someone's radial pulse -- but I was taking the pulse of our trainer who has a very irregular heartbeat. Her pulse is approx. 78-80, I only caught 56 of those beats!!! To me her pulse felt weak to begin with - another student simultaneously took it (he had her right wrist, I had her left) - he felt 78, which was correct. He said there were many fainter beats in between the stronger ones. UGH!!!! That soooooooooooooo scares the daylights out of -- imagine failing the exam for the simplest skill?!!!

All of my life my pulse has been easily palpated, and is quite strong. That is really the only pulse I have known. I tried a few more in class and all felt real weak/faint to me!!!!!

Are there any tips or suggestions (outside of getting an index finger with more nerve endings on it? :clown:).

Worried in Denver,

dorothy

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In my state we got to bring our own person to test on. If it is that way in your state just practice with them. When I tested, my examiner asked me which side I wanted. We had to be within 5 of what the examiner got to pass the skill. Good luck, I'm sure you will be fine.

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Oh how I wish it was that way here -- no, we might get another student in our class, but a random one, not one we've picked. I am thinking about buying a cheap pulse oximeter this week, and then taking the pulse of every single person I can get hold of and see if I am accurate or not. I sooooooooooooooooo want to be a CNA -- I have the written part down, but the skill not so much -- well actually I suck at skills, and that is NOT a promising sign. :down:

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You are right where you should be technically. Because you are questioning yourself, you are improving. I worked in a doctors office for years, and got laid off...went to convalescent care center. A LOT of girls there didn't know how to take a BP, or pulse...they faked their way through. It seems to me you are already better than you think you are...JUST TAKE YOUR TIME. MAKE EYE CONTACT & RELAX - don't be afraid to say OOPS, I can't find your pulse & try again..it's not brain surgery...lol.

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Many thanks! I so hope the State evaluators are as nice!! We will get two weeks to practice the skills after we do clincals, so hopefully the repetition of all the steps will get reinforced in this aging brain. It's odd, I have flash cards made of all the skills and if I have to write down the equipment needed, it's a cinch. But somehow when I have to just think it in my head or even say it out loud, I always forget an item or two. THEN to have to think of all the steps for the longer skills is another worry.

Thanks again!

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab.

Just try your best. I had radial pulse on my skills exam. Wait until the second hand of a (your) watch get's to three seconds before twelve. Then count down aloud, so the instructor can hear you. "On 3,2,1, start!" Then I said aloud the first three pulses that I heard. "1,2,3..." and was silent until the second hand of the watch reached twelve, which indicated a minute's time, then I said "Stop!" Afterwards, write down the results and hope for the best outcome. Good luck with everything. Watch youtube videos for the cna skills: jtduncan56.

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Just practice a lot. Practice on your classmates, they may be able to help you by taking their own pulse to compare it. Also you may find that the radial pulse is a little stronger the farther up the wrist. Press in a little at the very top of the wrist and you may be able to feel it better. You'll do better than you think ! ;)

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THANKS for the advice all!!! I will practice, practice, practice!!! :0)

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