NYS skills test

CoffeemateCNA · Apr 1, 2010

I take my test in 10 days :)
I was wondering about the hand washing...do you wash for 20 secs or 60 secs? I keep getting a different answer at school..scary.
Also if your patient is in the bed and you are told to ambulate them, do you do the gait belt, to a chair, ambulate, back to chair, back to bed?
What if you accidentally drop something on the floor? YIKES!
Im so nervous already....
Thanks.

The "official" length of time required for handwashing varies from textbook to textbook and facility to facility. The main thing to remember is that you want to wash long enough to get the microorganisms off of your hands. I personally always heard to wash for 30 seconds or to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. If the question comes up on the exam, use whatever was listed in the CNA manual you received.

As far as ambulating, it depends on the resident. In our rehab unit, therapy comes and ambulates them directly out of bed. They typically have better mobility than the LTC residents. On the LTC side, we usually put them in their WC first, take them into the hall, and then ambulate them. They typically have a more difficult time and we don't want them to have to navigate any sharp corners or tight spaces and risk a fall. ALWAYS use a gait belt.

If you drop a brief, towel, linens, etc. on the floor, it's considered contaminated. Don't use it. Whenever possible, try to keep extra supplies handy.

Good luck on your exam!!