Taking the state test soon. question about vital signs

Im taking the state test soon at the end of this month. I was going over the skills today and vital signs looks like its going to be the hardest. I know that they will randomly pick 5 skills but someone said vital signs and handwashing most likely will be the ones chosen.

Anyways about the pulse. Im having a hard time with this one. Sometimes im close to the same pulse after I count and sometimes im off. I heard you can only be off 2 on the state test. Do you guys find it easier counting the pulse one full minute or 30 seconds? I am finding the radial pulse. I know its on the side of the thumb. Issue is when I count my pulse my pulse skips sometimes lol. I have a heart murmur. Doc said I was born with it. So anyways it makes it harder to count. I try to close my eyes so I can concentrate but then I find that sometimes I lose the pulse still. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. I know respiration is another vital sign. You just count the expiration and inspiration as one breath for one minute right? Should i place my hand on their back to count that? I remember when we did our clinicals it was kinda hard to count the respiration when people were talking and depending on the person sometimes u can see their cheast rise and fall.