As your test date approaches for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam, be sure to spend ample time studying and preparing for the written exam.

You can ensure that you will do well on the qualifying nursing exam by avoiding the common mistakes that most people make on the test, especially when they fail the test on their first or second try.

The top mistakes on the CNA exam can make or break your score, and because the test occurs in more than one stage, it's important to get the best score possible.

The Certified Nursing Assistant exam is broken into two sections, including a written examination and a clinical skills test. You must pass both of these sections successfully in order to earn your CNA certification.

The written exam, which can be difficult for some students to pass on the first try, is usually given in a computer format. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions on a wide range of topics, and this is where you will want to avoid making the top mistakes on the CNA exam.

The written exam includes questions that will test your understanding of what a CNA should do in different situations that you are likely to encounter on a day to day basis.

The CNA exam covers five different areas in the field of nursing. The top mistakes on the CNA exam are concentrated in two different areas of the nursing test, and most mistakes can be found within category II and category IV.

This article will focus on category IV, which covers specialized care for residents who are facing changes in their health. The tips will help you remember what to do when a resident becomes sick, especially when the health care for the resident deals with topics in physical and mental health.

Your role as a Certified Nursing Assistant is not only to provide physical care, but also to provide psychological support as residents deal with changes in their health over time.

As residents change with the onset of age, the progression of disorders or the worsening of physical or mental conditions, their health care needs will change too. In order to respond to these problems effectively, your care of the resident needs to evolve to answer the complications in the resident's condition.

To better prepare for the qualifying exam, review the following concepts and use the tips we have included here to study for the exam. Paying attention to the questions in these categories will prevent you from making some of the top mistakes on the CNA exam.

Recognize the common physical impairments and know how to provide care for residents who are dealing with them. Physical impairment covers a wide range of problems, ranging from mild to sever impairment, and the impairment may affect some or all levels of functioning or interacting.

An impairment can be as simple as an ankle strain or it can come from a pre-existing condition such as a deformity or disorder.

 Impairments may include sensory impairment, speech impairment, changes in mobility, changes in elimination, changes in nutritional needs or diet, respiratory problems, changes in skin integrity or pain management.

Make sure you understand how to provide for the safety, care and comfort of residents with physical impairments. In addition to providing quality care for the resident, you'll need to monitor the impact an impairment is having on the safety of the resident.

No matter how significant the physical impairment is, it could put the resident at risk for common injuries, such as bed sores or damaging falls. Falls are one of the most common ways a resident can sustain injuries while they are in your care.

You should also be able to recognize the psychological problems that arise when the impairment or illness has an impact on the resident. Know how to identify signs of psychological stress and learn how to give the resident the psychological care they need.

This will require you to be attentive to the resident and to answer to the resident's specific needs. In some cases, they may need more support from you as you offer a listening ear. In other cases, the residents may need counseling or other forms of psychological support.

Be aware that the grieving process can also have an impact on the resident, and you may need to take time to listen to the resident or address their concerns if the resident has recently suffered from the loss of someone close to them.

Watching a resident grieve can be difficult for both you and the resident, but handling these situations calmly and respectfully is important in order to provide quality care for the resident.

Grieving can affect anyone deeply, so keep in mind that you may see changes in the behavior of the resident in response to such a life-changing event.

You'll also want to work to understand the emotional needs of the resident, in addition to the emotional needs of their family members or other caregivers.

Learn how to respond to these emotional needs in the best way possible. When someone asks you for information about a resident, you will need to handle such inquiries with confidentiality and care, in order to respect the resident.

But you should also know when you can work with family members and other caregivers to improve the care of the resident.

Finally, make sure you know the post-mortem care procedures that are appropriate to the job. Knowing standard procedures and legal implications can be very important during this part of a resident's life.

You'll want to make sure that you respect the resident's rights, in addition to paying attention to the rules set by the health care organization.

You should also be careful to make sure that any demands or wishes are met, while still keeping to the rules and policies of the health care organization.

Once you understand these aspects of the CNA exam, you will be better prepared to pass the written test. You can avoid the top mistakes on the exam by knowing your material and studying before the test.

Study guides and practice tests can also be a valuable resource, as you prepare to take the next step in the testing process and work to avoid the top mistakes on the CNA exam.

By studying and preparing for your exam, you are that much closer to becoming a CNA!

Certified Nursing Assistants are in demand and they do important work, typically working in a hospital or long-term care facility like a nursing home to provide basic care to patients under supervision. 

CNAs can perform a number of tasks, including serving meals and helping residents eat, measuring vital signs, repositioning and transferring residents between beds and wheelchairs, cleaning residents and helping residents get dressed or use the restroom.

Remember that the requirements for passing the test may vary in each state.