Make sure you know about indirect care for your CNA skills test, or you will regret it!

What Everyone Should Know About CNA Examinee Failures

Those who took the CNA test received a failing grade on their Clinical Skills Test because they often forgot to demonstrate Indirect Care. What is indirect care? Emphasizes examinee behaviors that are part of all skills assessed on the Clinical Skills Test. The skills test is a timed test that lasts 30 to 35 minutes. In a real exam setting, time constraints add to the pressure on examinees. It can be a nerve-wracking experience because someone will be watching you the entire time and taking note of your every move. Remember to breathe deeply and don’t panic. Why? Most evaluators are not too meticulous about the way you do things; so stay calm and focused. The evaluators are more concerned with their hygiene and behavior. Always keep in mind the fact that indirect care is extremely important because:

(1) It is a nominal performance,

(2) Has separate score scores, and

(3) It greatly affects the overall performance of the examinee during the skills test.

Pay attention to your behavior in terms of communicating with the resident, valuing the rights of residents, providing safety and comfort to the resident, and following proper infection control (standard precautions). It is one of the most important of the five skills required during the skills test. Remember: The nurse aide evaluator will observe and also evaluate your performance based on your behavior!

Here are the methods for performing indirect care: (Remember this, it will help you pass the skills test)

1. Communication. Communicate with the resident in a respectful and dignified manner:

• Greet the resident in an appropriate manner (eg, “Good morning, Mrs. Smith”).
• Introduce yourself to the resident
• Explain to the resident why you are there and what care you will provide.
• Explain each step of the process to the resident before providing care (for example: “Now I’m going to put you on your side”).

2. Rights of residents

• Call before entering resident’s room.
• Provide privacy for the resident by lowering the curtain prior to care.
• Always pay attention to your language and actions while providing care to the resident
• Ask the resident about their preferences, such as nail length, hairstyle, or food choices.
• Avoid addressing residents with nicknames such as “Honey”, “Dear”, “Honey”, and so on.

3. Safety and comfort.

• Always check the resident’s bed to see if they are in a safe sleeping position.
• Adjust the resident’s sleeping position to a safer one, if necessary
• Lower the bed while caring
• Apply a walking belt when making a transfer.
• Make sure the side rails are up before leaving the resident
• Always place the call light within the resident’s reach (very important!)
• Always lock the wheels on the bed before helping the resident to sit up or get out of a chair.

4. Infection control.

• Always wash your hands before and after performing care. (Highly important!)
• Wear gloves if necessary, especially during perineal care, catheter care, drainage bag care, denture care and mouth (tooth brushing), assisting with urinal use, measurement and report of urine production.
• Dispose of gloves in a hazardous waste container
• Correctly follow the dirty items removal method
• Avoid direct contact with the ground during bed preparation.
• Make sure resident’s personal items are not dirty or contaminated
• Offer to go to the bathroom while using the potty
• Use soap and water on the resident during perineal care
• Use clean equipment when performing care

Note: Do not forget:

1. Knock on the door before entering the resident’s room.
2. Lower the curtain (if you are performing perineal care or bathing the resident)
3. Always put the call light within reach of the resident
4. Wash your hands before and after performing care.

It is important to consider indirect care procedures. Many examinees FAIL their Clinical Skills Test because they were not well prepared and many times forget to remember the Indirect Care approach to meet the resident’s needs. You don’t have to be a quick learner, but you should remember all the standard rules and precautions that you have learned in your training classes. Evaluators allow corrections; In case you have forgotten something, you can correct it and proceed immediately to the other skills. As long as you stay calm and make sure to think carefully about your skill sets, passing the CNA clinical exam should be a breeze.