Skills
Clinical skills
Each skill is a numbered list of steps with the critical steps flagged, and the mistakes candidates make.
Showing 21 of 21 skills
- Infection controlAlways tested
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene with soap and water is the most basic infection-control skill and is part of nearly every other clinical procedure.
10 steps2 critical - Infection controlAlways tested
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Donning
Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects you from contact with blood, body fluids and germs.
9 steps4 critical - Infection controlAlways tested
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Doffing
Taking PPE off safely is as important as putting it on, because the outside of gloves, gown, eye protection and mask is contaminated.
8 steps5 critical - Infection controlAlways tested
Establishing and Maintaining a Sterile Field
A sterile field is a work area kept free of microorganisms for a procedure that breaks the skin, so only sterile things may touch it.
14 steps6 critical - Patient prep vitalsAlways tested
Blood Pressure Measurement (Manual)
Manual blood pressure uses a cuff and stethoscope to find the pressure at which blood-flow sounds first appear (systolic) and finally disappear (diastolic).
16 steps5 critical - Patient prep vitalsAlways tested
Radial Pulse Measurement
The radial pulse is the pressure wave of each heartbeat felt at the wrist.
10 steps3 critical - Patient prep vitalsAlways tested
Respiration Measurement
Counting respirations gives the breathing rate and, if you watch for it, early signs of respiratory distress.
10 steps3 critical - Patient prep vitalsAlways tested
Oral Temperature Measurement
An oral temperature measures body heat under the tongue and is one of the standard vital signs at intake.
11 steps3 critical - Clinical patient careAlways tested
Intramuscular (IM) Injection
An intramuscular (IM) injection places medication into a muscle.
16 steps4 critical - Clinical patient careAlways tested
Subcutaneous (SubQ) Injection
A subcutaneous (SubQ) injection puts medication into the fatty layer between the skin and the muscle.
15 steps4 critical - Clinical patient careAlways tested
Intradermal (ID) Injection
An intradermal (ID) injection places a small amount of medication into the dermis, just under the skin surface.
15 steps6 critical - Clinical patient careAlways tested
Wound Care and Dressing Change
A simple dressing change replaces the covering on a wound and gives you a chance to look at it.
16 steps5 critical - Clinical patient care
Suture Removal
Suture removal means taking out non-absorbable stitches once the provider has judged the wound healed enough and ordered removal.
16 steps4 critical - Clinical patient care
Pap Smear Patient Preparation
Preparing a patient for a Pap test means getting the right patient, explaining the exam, checking pre-test instructions, giving privacy, positioning and draping her, having supplies ready, and making sure the specimen is labeled and handed off correctly.
13 steps3 critical - Ekg cardiovascularAlways tested
Vital Signs Interpretation
This is a knowledge skill: know roughly what is expected for each vital sign, recognize out-of-range readings, and pass the right ones on with context.
12 steps2 critical - Ekg cardiovascularAlways tested
12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
A 12-lead ECG (EKG) records the heart's electrical activity from several directions at once using electrodes on the limbs and chest.
16 steps5 critical - PhlebotomyAlways tested
Venipuncture (Evacuated Tube System)
Venipuncture with an evacuated tube system draws blood from a vein into vacuum tubes.
16 steps6 critical - PhlebotomyAlways tested
Capillary Puncture (Fingerstick)
A capillary puncture (fingerstick) collects a small amount of blood from the finger for tests that need only a little.
16 steps5 critical - PhlebotomyAlways tested
Order of Draw (Phlebotomy Tubes)
The order of draw is the sequence in which you fill tubes during one venipuncture so that additive from one tube does not carry over into the next and change a result.
11 steps5 critical - Clinical patient careAlways tested
Specimen Collection and Labeling
Collecting a nonblood specimen well means the right patient, the right method for that specimen type, a closed leakproof container, a label made at the patient's side, and delivery to the lab the way the lab asks.
14 steps3 critical - Clinical patient careAlways tested
Patient Positioning for Examination
Positioning means placing a patient so the provider can examine or treat the right area while the patient stays safe, covered and as comfortable as possible.
15 steps4 critical