Critical Skills

Question 1

Hand Hygiene

Answer 1

-lather all surfaces of wrists, hands and fingers producing friction for at least 20 seconds, keeping hands lower than the elbows and fingertips down

-rinse all surfaces of wrists, hands and fingers keeping hands lower than the elbows and fingertips down

Question 2

Applies one knee-high elastic stocking

Answer 2

-finishes procedure with no twists or wrinkles and heel of stocking is over heel and opening in toe area is either over or under toe area. (if using a mannequin candidate, may state stocking needs to be wrinkle free)

Question 3

Assist to ambulate using transfer belt

Answer 3

• before assisting to stand, client is wearing non-skid shoes
• before assisting to stand, client is assisted to sitting position with feet flat on the floor

Question 4

Counts and records radial pulse

Answer 4

• Records pulse rate within +/- 4 beats of evaluators reading

Question 5

Counts and records respirations

Answer 5

• Records respiration rate within +/- 2 breaths of evaluators reading

Question 6

Donning and removing PPE

Answer 6

• before removing gown, with one gloved hand, grasps the other glove at the palm remove glove
• slips fingers from ungloved hand underneath cuff of remaining glove at wrist, and removes glove turning it inside out as it is removed

Question 7

Dresses client with affected (weak) right arm

Answer 7

• assist to put the right (affected/weak) arm through the right sleeve of the shirt before placing garment on left (unaffected) arm.

Question 8

Feeds client who cannot feed self

Answer 8

• before feeding client, client is in an upright sitting position, (75-90°)

Question 9

Gives modified bed bath

Answer 9

• beginning with eyes, washes eyes with wet washcloth (no soap) using a different area of the washcloth for each stroke, washing inner aspect to outer aspect, then proceeds to wash face

Question 10

Measures and records urinary output

Answer 10

• Records contents of container within +/- 25mL/cc of evaluators reading

Question 11

Measures and records weight of ambulatory client

Answer 11

• Records weight based on indicator on scale. Weight is within +/- 2 lbs of evaluators reading. IF in kg, within +/- 0.9 kg.

Question 12

Performs modified passive range of motion (PROM) for one knee and one ankle

Answer 12

• while supporting the leg at the knee and ankle, flexion/extension (at least 3X) Moves joints gently, slowly and smoothly through the ROM, discontinues if client verbalizes pain.
• while supporting the foot and ankle close to the bed, dorsiflexion/plantar flexion (at least 3X) Moves joints gently, slowly and smoothly through the ROM, discontinues if client verbalizes pain.

Question 13

Performs modified passive range of motion (PROM) for one shoulder

Answer 13

• supporting arm at the elbow and wrist, flexion/extension (at least 3X) Moves joint gently, slowly and smoothly through the ROM, discontinuing if client verbalizes pain.
• supporting arm at the elbow and wrist, abduction/adduction (at least 3X). Moves joint gently, slowly and smoothly through the ROM, discontinuing if client verbalizes pain.

Question 14

Provides catheter care for female

Answer 14

• hold catheter at meatus without tugging & cleans at least 4 inches of catheter from meatus, moving in one direction away from the meatus, using a clean area of washcloth for each stroke.
• hold catheter at meatus without tugging, rinses at least 4 inches of catheter from meatus, moving in only one direction away from the meatus, using a clean area of washcloth for each stroke.

Question 15

Provides mouth care

Answer 15

• clean mouth (including tongue and all surfaces of teeth) using gentle motions.

Question 16

Provides perineal care for female

Answer 16

• washes genital area, moving from front to back, while using a clean area of the washcloth for each stroke.
• using a clean washcloth, rinses soap from genital area, moving from front to back, while using a clean area of the washcloth for each stroke.

Question 17

Transfers from bed to wheelchair using transfer belt

Answer 17

• before assisting to stand, locks wheels on wheelchair.
• before assisting to stand, client is assisted to a sitting position with feet flat on the floor.

Question 18

Measures and records manual blood pressure.

Answer 18

• after obtaining reading using blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, records systolic/diastolic pressures each within +/- 8 mm of evaluators reading