Frequently Asked Questions & Testing Guidelines (EKGTECH)

The CNA exam consists of two separate, independent testing components: 1) A Written (or Audio) Knowledge Examination typically featuring 60 to 70 multiple-choice questions completed on a computer in 90 minutes, and 2) A Hands-on Clinical Skills Demonstration where you perform 5 randomly assigned nurse aide skills in front of an RN evaluator within 30 to 40 minutes.

Most states contract with major testing organizations: Credentia (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program - NNAAP), Prometric, Pearson VUE, or Headmaster/D&S Diversified Technologies. Diamond School of Nursing study materials are aligned with testing standards across all major testing vendors.

In virtually all states, the written knowledge test and clinical skills evaluation are scored independently. If you pass the written test but fail one skill, you only need to retest the clinical skills portion within your state's eligibility window (usually 2 years from course completion).

Critical safety steps are non-negotiable procedural checkpoints that cause an automatic skill failure if missed. Key examples include washing hands before and after resident contact, locking bed and wheelchair brakes before initiating transfers, pulling privacy curtains before personal care, placing the call signal within easy reach, and never placing urinary catheter drainage bags above bladder level.

Our platform delivers realistic timed board simulations, full diagnostic rationale breakdowns, step-by-step clinical skill video guides and checklists, interactive dosage/fluid balance calculations, and spaced repetition flashcards calibrated to national exam standards.

Yes! Diamond School of Nursing provides free guest diagnostic access. You can explore study guides, take practice quizzes, review skills checklists, and flip smart flashcards immediately without creating an account or providing payment details.

The Order of Draw is a strict sequence established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) for collecting blood in additive tubes during venipuncture. It begins with sterile Blood Cultures, followed by Sodium Citrate (Light Blue), Serum (Red/Gold SST), Heparin (Green), EDTA (Lavender/Pink), and Sodium Fluoride/Potassium Oxalate (Gray). Following this sequence prevents additive cross-contamination that would invalidate test results.

Leading national credentialing agencies include the National Healthcareer Association (NHA - CPT), American Medical Technologists (AMT - RPT), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP - PBT), and National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT - NCPT).

The median cubital vein in the antecubital fossa is the first choice because it is typically large, well-anchored, and least painful. The cephalic vein on the outer arm is second choice, and the basilic vein on the inner arm is the final choice due to proximity to the brachial artery and median nerve.

A tourniquet must never remain on a patient's arm for longer than 60 seconds (one minute). Leaving the tourniquet on longer causes hemoconcentration and specimen hemolysis, which falsely elevates potassium, total protein, and red blood cell counts.

Both are accredited medical assisting credentials with equivalent clinical and administrative scope. "CMA" is awarded by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), while "CCMA" (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) is credentialed by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Both are widely recognized by healthcare employers nationwide.

Intramuscular (IM) injections are administered at 90° with a 20G–23G, 1–1.5 inch needle; Subcutaneous (SubQ) injections are given at 45° (or 90° for short needles) with a 25G–27G, 3/8–5/8 inch needle; and Intradermal (ID) injections (such as TB tests) are administered at a 10°–15° angle with a 27G–28G, 1/2 inch needle.

No. Medical Assistants work under the delegated authority of a licensed physician, PA, or nurse practitioner. They cannot independently diagnose, prescribe medications, or provide independent clinical advice. They can transcribe provider orders and relay physician instructions.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is scored on a scaled range from 1000 to 1600. A passing score is 1400 or higher.

No. Clinical counseling and drug consultations are strictly restricted to licensed pharmacists. If a patient asks about drug interactions, side effects, or OTC recommendations, the technician must immediately refer them to the pharmacist.

Controlled substances are classified by abuse potential: Schedule I (illicit drugs with no accepted medical use, e.g., heroin); Schedule II (high abuse potential, severe dependence, e.g., oxycodone, fentanyl; no refills allowed); Schedule III (moderate abuse, e.g., buprenorphine, ketamine); Schedule IV (low abuse, e.g., alprazolam, zolpidem); and Schedule V (lowest abuse, e.g., low-dose codeine cough syrups).

While both provide direct bedside patient care, a PCT has an expanded acute care scope including phlebotomy (blood draws), performing 12-lead EKGs, basic telemetry monitoring, Foley catheter care, and sterile dressing changes. PCTs predominantly practice in acute inpatient hospital wards, ICUs, and emergency rooms, whereas CNAs practice widely in skilled nursing and long-term care settings.

The primary national credentialing body is the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), which awards the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A) credential. The National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) also provides patient care credentials.