CPNE study Grid

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CPNE Question: I've heard folks describe the "grid" they draw on the back of the PCS form. I'm having a difficult time visualizing this. Is it something used for each PCS? Is the function to remind yourself of the Critical Elements? If so, is that where one would write down their pneumonic to assist in remembering what to do, like a simplified checklist? Anything helps and I'm a visual person so if I could see one or have it overly-described I think I would get it. Thanks in advance!

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That exactly what it is. Draw lines on the back to make boxes--3 down 4 across--or how ever many work best for you. Draw the lines on the back of the pcs form and write the letter or first word of your pneumonic in the boxes. You can check them off as you go and then again when you document tomake sure you don't miss anything. Also, anytime you feel overwhelmed stop and go over your grid to see where you are. I found it very helpful.

CPNE Question: I've heard folks describe the "grid" they draw on the back of the PCS form. I'm having a difficult time visualizing this. Is it something used for each PCS? Is the function to remind yourself of the Critical Elements? If so, is that where one would write down their pneumonic to assist in remembering what to do, like a simplified checklist? Anything helps and I'm a visual person so if I could see one or have it overly-described I think I would get it. Thanks in advance!
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I found it helpful as well. I had one box for every assigned area of care, plus a 'pending' box - things I needed to come back to before the end of the PCS.

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Excellent. Thanks for this imput. That does help me to visualize it. I think what will probably work best for me is dumping my brain and all pneumonics onto the grid for each PCS and then circling to ones that apply (or crossing out ones that do not apply) to that particular PCS. That way I won't forget something. That really is a great idea! From what I hear, it is actually something the CE's/CA's look for to prove you studied and are organized now. I heard someone who said they wrote theirs out each night for a couple of months before the CPNE, I think I'll try that. Goodness, there seems to be plenty of time!

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I just wrote mine over and over. You wil need to write the critical elements of whatever info you have memorized in the little boxes, for example, on Respiratory Assessment I wrote in my little box:

P - position patient upright (or side lying)

O - observe breathing pattern

M - measure O2 sats (if indicated on Kardex)

A - auscultate breath sounds upper and lower lobes, left to right

R - Record in Resp. Assessment section of narrative notes.

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some one said ther were chat rooms for excelsior how do i find them on yahoo

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Go to Yahoo and search in 'groups' for "Excelsior college", there are quite a few groups for EC students.

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My grid is coming together! THANK YOU. After much studying, here are my acronyms for the Critical Elements. Well...Three months to go Testing in Syracuse 9/29!

* indicates Required Areas of Care and Overriding AOC for all Patient Care Situations. ~ indicates to be done during 20 minute checks. Grid is 12 boxes with the first four being *.

*All Patients (WIG VEIL TOW)

Wash

Introduce

Gloves

Vitals

Enteral fluids

IV assess

Level of comfort

Tube feed

Oxygen

Wash

*~VITALS (twice) not an actual acronym

Pain

Temp

Respirations

BP

Pulse

SPO2 (sats)

*MOBILIY (BAD PAT)

Balance

Ability to move

Devices

Position

Ambulate

Transfer

*~FLUIDS (AT MISSION)

Anterior Fontanel

Turgor

Mucous Membranes

IV flow rate

Site

Skin

Intake

Output

Number of cc’s in room

Areas of Care related to Assessment

ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT (PAPILTAG)

Pee

Assess pain

Position

Inspect

Listen

Touch

Abdominal

Girth

NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT (LAPMAN)

Level of Consciousness

Anterior fontanel

Pupils

Motor response

Assess

Noxious

PERIPHERAL VASCULR ASSESSMENT (PCMS)

Pulses

Circulation

Movement

Sensation

OXYGEN MANAGEMENT (RACCOONS)

Response

Activity

Color

Capillary refill

O2 Sats

O2 flow/humidifier

Nares

Sparks

RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT (MOAB)

Measure SPO2 (sats)

Observe patterns

Auscultate

Breathe deeply

SKIN ASSESSMENT (CITEM)

Color

Integrity

Temp

Edema

Moisture

COMFORT MANAGEMENT (A LORD OF WAR)

Assess needs

Linens

Oral care

Relax

Distract

Offer backrub

Face

Wash

Apply heat/cold

Reposition

MUSCULOSKELETAL MANAGEMENT (ARAS DEAFS)

Assess

Range of Motion

Active/passive

Support

Devices

Extension/flexion

Abduction/adduction

Flexibility

Strength

PAIN MANAGEMENT (SCAR)

Scale

Administer meds

Comfort measures

Reassess

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I'm glad your studying is coming together. Sounds like you'll really be able to use this remaining time to make sure all your bases are covered.

One small suggestion: I was a little bit concerned when I read that for every PCS you were thinking of dumping all of the CE's for all of the AOC's, assigned or not. If it were me, I wouldn't have any information on my grid that wasn't absolutely pertinent to that particular PCS. IMHO, it would contribute to disorganization and cost you some time. 2 1/2 hours seems like a really long time, but if you get tied up with a tough (hypomanic, talkative, confused, etc) patient, you might need every possible minute of your time. Then again, there's more than one way to skin a cat, so only you can make those decisions.

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I am taking the CPNE in Syracuse over a weekend in September. Anyone have have experience in Syrause?

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Specializes in Certified Diabetes Educator.

For each PCS, you have a "booklet" if you can picture that. It has the PCS assignment information, the Nursing Care Plan form, the Evaluation form, the forms for documentation and the PCS recording form. At the back of this "booklet" are 3 blank sheets of paper. I didn't even bother drawing lines or anything. On the first sheet, I made my nmeumonic check list for my 20 min checks and my overriding areas of care like bed low, call light, wash hands, wash hands, wash hands etc. On the second sheet, I wrote out my grids for the AOC's. On the last sheet, I used that for things I wanted to be sure to remember for documenting, my VS's etc.

Whatever works for you, so that you have a way of remembering what you need to do so that you don't get sidetracked. I was on my way out of the room on PCS 3, thinking I was done, when I noticed on my notes that I did not re-assess the lungs on the Resp Mgmt. Good thing I had my notes.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Private Duty Peds.
CPNE Question: I've heard folks describe the "grid" they draw on the back of the PCS form. I'm having a difficult time visualizing this. Is it something used for each PCS? Is the function to remind yourself of the Critical Elements? If so, is that where one would write down their pneumonic to assist in remembering what to do, like a simplified checklist? Anything helps and I'm a visual person so if I could see one or have it overly-described I think I would get it. Thanks in advance!

:uhoh3: I am confused or it maybe just cause I just got home from a night of he*%*%*! But Anitcoagulation Nurse, haven't you already passed the CPNE??:stone or do I have you mixed up with some one else?? Cause didn't you post Passed CPNE/CPNE Experience or something like that?

Just wondering cause why would you need a grid if you have already passed? please take no offence, but I am confused.:idea:

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