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PEARSON VUEDistrict of ColumbiaNURSINGASSISTANTwritten (or oral) examination& skills evaluationCANDIDATE HANDBOOKJuly 2013SEARCH
Quick ReferenceAmerican Red Cross (ARC)Competency Evaluation ProgramPO Box 5875Harrisburg, PA 17110(888) 399-7729Fax 1 (866) 257-6506Hours of Operation:Monday through Friday8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Address for Overnight Mail:American Red Cross1804 North Sixth StreetHarrisburg, PA 17102Call the American Red Cross to: Obtain a Candidate Handbook Obtain an application Apply for the examination Cancel a scheduled examination Arrange special examination requests and servicesDC Department of HealthDistrict of ColumbiaBoard of Nursing899 North Capitol Street, NESuite 200Washington, DC 20002(877) 672-2174Web site: http://hpla.doh.dc.govEmail: hpla@dc.govHours of Operation:Monday through Friday8:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.(Eastern Standard Time)Go to the Health Professional Licensing AdministrationWebsite (www.hpla.doh.dc.gov) to: Obtain information on official regulationsand guidelines for nursing assistants Download a copy of District of ColumbiaNursing Assistant Certification Regulations Find a list of Board of Nursing ApprovedNursing Assistant Programs
Pearson VUE District of Columbia NNAAP PO Box 13785Philadelphia, PA 19101-3785(888) 274-6060Hours of Operation8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.(Eastern Standard Time)Call Pearson VUE to: Obtain information regarding your Score Report Request a duplicate Score Report Obtain information regarding the examination Clarify information about the Registry Change your current address or name prior toexamination results being sent to the Registry Change your current address or name once you areon the Registry Obtain information regarding reciprocity Obtain information on continued certification onthe RegistryGo to Pearson VUE’s website(www.pearsonvue.com) to: Download a Candidate Handbook Download an application View the Nursing Assistant Practice WrittenExamination Search the Nursing Assistant Registry
Pearson VUE and ARC do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed,disabling condition, religion, national origin, or any other protected characteristics.Copyright 2013 Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliate(s).All Rights Reserved. Pubs orders@Pearson.comNNAAP Written Exam Content Outline and Practical Skills ListingCopyright 2010-2012 National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN ). All rights reserved.
Table of Contentsquick reference. inside front coverIntroduction. 1Criminal Background Check Requirement. 1National Nursing Assistant Assessment Program. 1Exam Overview. 2Eligibility. 3Eligibility Routes. 3Application and Scheduling. 4Filling Out an Application.Exam Fees.Exam Scheduling.Admission Letter.Testing Locations.Accommodations.456666Cancellation. 8Re-scheduling.Refunds.Absence Policy.Weather Emergencies.8889Exam Day. 9Checking In. 9What to Bring. 9Proper Identification. 10Security and Cheating. 10Testing Policies. 11Lateness. 11Electronic Devices. 11Study Aids. 11Eating/Drinking/Smoking. 11Misconduct. 11Guests/Visitors. 11The written (or Oral) exam. 12Written Exam. 12English or Spanish Oral Exam . 12continued on next page
Written (or English or Spanish ORal)Exam Content Outline. 13Sample Questions. 14Self-assessment reading test. 15-18The skills evaluation. 19What to Expect. 19Setting. 19Who Will Act as a Client?. 19Candidate Volunteer Requirements. 19Candidate Dress Requirements. 19The Tasks. 20Recording a Measurement. 21Sample of Recording Sheetfor Measurement Skills. 22Tips for the Skills Evaluation. 23Skills Listing. 24-39Score Reporting. 40Exam Results. 40Written (or Oral) Exam. 40Skills Evaluation. 40Failing. 40How to Read a Failing Score Report. 41Passing. 42grievance process. 43Overview. 43Process. 43The registry. 44Change of Address or Name. 44Certification Renewal. 44district of columbia nursing Assistantfrequently asked questions. 45-47AppendixAppendix A: Request for Duplicate Score Report orHandscored Answer Sheet FormAppendix B: Change of Address or Name Form
IntroductionThis handbook is designed for candidates seeking nursing assistant certification in the District of Columbia.It describes the process of applying for and takingthe National Nursing Assistant Assessment Program(NNAAP ) Examination.The District of Columbia Department of Health,Health Regulation Administration, has contracted withPearson VUE , a nationally recognized leading providerof assessment services to regulatory agencies and nationalassociations, to develop, score, and report the results ofthe NNAAP Examination for the DC Nursing AssistantRegistry. The American Red Cross (ARC) will be working with Pearson VUE to schedule and administer theNNAAP Examination.Criminal Background CheckYou cannot be hired as a certified nursing assistant, or inany position in a health-care facility in which it is foreseeable that you will have direct contact with residents orpatients, unless you pass a criminal background checkand your name is not on the nursing assistant abuseregistry. See D.C. Law 12-238, the Health-Care FacilityUnlicensed Personnel Criminal Background Check Actof 1998, D.C. Official Code 44-551 et seq. If you haveany questions regarding the criminal background checkrequirement, please contact the Criminal background Unitof the Health Regulation & Licensing Administration at(202) 442-9004.National nursing AssistantAssessment Program (NNAAP )The Nursing Home Reform Act, adopted by Congress aspart of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987(OBRA ’87), was designed to improve the quality of carein long-term health care facilities and to define trainingand evaluation standards for nursing assistants who workin such facilities. Each state is responsible for following theterms of this federal law.The National Nursing Assistant Assessment Program(NNAAP ) is an examination program designed to determine minimal competency to become a certified nurse aidein your state. The NNAAP was developed by the NationalCouncil of State Boards of Nursing, Inc., (NCSBN) to meet1
the nursing assistant evaluation requirement of federal andstate laws and regulations. Pearson VUE is the authorizedadministrator of the NNAAP in your state.The NNAAP Examination is an evaluation of nursing assistant-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. TheNNAAP Examination is made up of both a Written (orOral) Examination and a Skills Evaluation. The purposeof the NNAAP Examination is to test that you understand and can safely perform the job of an entry-levelnursing assistant.Exam OverviewThe two parts of the examination process, the Written(or English or Spanish Oral) Examination and the SkillsEvaluation, will be administered on the same day. Youmust pass both parts in order to be certified and listed onthe DC Nursing Assistant Registry.The Written Examination consists of seventy (70) multiple-choice questions written in English. Sample questionsare provided in this handbook.An English or Spanish Oral Examination may be takenin place of the Written Examination if you have difficultyreading English. The English or Spanish Oral Examination consists of sixty (60) multiple-choice questions and ten(10) reading comprehension questions. If you want totake the English or Spanish Oral Examination, you mustrequest it when you submit your application.At the Skills Evaluation you will be asked to perform five(5) randomly selected nursing assistant skills. You willbe given twenty-five (25) minutes to complete the five(5) skills. You will be rated on these skills by a NursingAssistant Evaluator. A complete listing of the skills isshown on pages 24 to 39.See Written (or Oral) Exam and Skills Evaluation for moredetails on the parts of the NNAAP Examination.2
EligibilityEligibility RoutesYou are eligible to apply to take the NNAAP Examinationfor certification as a nursing assistant in DC if you qualifyunder one of the following eligibility routes:D1You have completed a DC Department of Health approvedtraining program within the last twenty-four (24) monthsand are not currently listed on the DC Nursing AssistantRegistry or on a nursing assistant registry in another state.Attach a copy of your training certificate.D2You have completed equivalent practical nursing or registered nursing “Fundamentals of Nursing” course with aclinical component in the USA within the last thirty-six(36) months. Attach a copy of your official school transcript. Enter 99994 in Section 4 of the application.D3You are currently an RN or LPN who has been licensed inWashington, DC, within the last thirty-six (36) months.Attach a copy of your RN or LPN license. Enter 99990 inSection 4 of the application.D4You have trained as an RN or LPN outside the UnitedStates within the last thirty-six (36) months. Attach acopy of your foreign credentials certification. Enter 99910in Section 4 of the application.D5You are taking the NNAAP Examination for re-application to become current on the Registry after lapsing, witha Registry Certificate LESS than twenty-four (24) monthsexpired. Attach a copy of your expired Registry Certificateand enter your Registry Certificate number on Item 1.Enter 99995 in Section 4 of the application.D6You are taking the NNAAP Examination for re-application to become current on the Registry after lapsing, witha Registry Certificate that is MORE than twenty-four(24) months expired, and have completed a new training3
program. Attach a copy of your expired Registry Certificateand your new training program certificate and enter yourRegistry Certificate number in Section 1 of the application.D7You are applying for “reciprocity by examination”. Attacha copy of your out-of-state registration certificate and enter99998 in Section 2 of the application.Applicationand SchedulingFilling Out an Application You may get a registration form from yournursing facility employer or your nursing assistanttraining program, by calling the American RedCross or by downloading the application fromPearson VUE’s web site. Complete the registration form with the assistanceof your training program provider, director ofnursing, facility administrator, or other employer.Include a copy of your valid training certificate andpayment for the examination fee. You are responsible for completing the registrationform. You may ask someone from your nursingassistant training program or employer for assistance in completing the registration form. If you want to take the Oral Examination, you mustcheck “Oral” in box #2 on your registration form. If you need help or have any questions about the registration form, please contact an American Red CrossCustomer Service Representative at (888) 399-7729. Mail your completed registration form, requireddocuments, and appropriate fee together in oneenvelope to:American Red CrossCompetency Evaluation ProgramPO Box 5875Harrisburg, PA 171104
Exam FeesThe fees listed below have been established for theNational Nursing Assistant Assessment Program in DC.EXAMFEEWritten Examination &Skills Evaluationfirst time 117*English Oral Examination& Skills Evaluationfirst time 127*Spanish Oral Examination& Skills Evaluationfirst time 127*Written Examination &Skills Evaluationre-test exam 105English Oral Examination& Skills Evaluationre-test exam 115Spanish Oral Examination& Skills Evaluationre-test exam 115Written Examination onlyre-test exam 40English Oral Examination only 50Spanish Oral Examination only 50Skills Evaluation only 65* The first time test fee includes a(one-time) 12 Registry placement fee.You must pay for both the Written (or English or Spanish Oral)Examination and the Skills Evaluation the first time you test.Payment must be made by certified check, company checkor money order only. The check or money order should bemade payable to “American Red Cross”. Even if it is fromyour employer, the company check or certified check mustdisplay your name so it can be applied to your examination. If you are not currently employed at a nursing home,you may pay the fee yourself. Personal checks, cash,and credits cards will not be accepted. Fees are nonrefundable and non-transferable once submitted to theAmerican Red Cross because they cover the administrative costs of registration and testing.Under federal and District of Columbia laws, nursinghomes are required to pay for the NNAAP Examinationfor their nursing assistant employees, including individuals required to re-test.5
Exam SchedulingTesting is scheduled through the American Red Cross.Once the American Red Cross receives your registrationform, required documents, and fees, they will scheduleyou for testing. You will not be scheduled to test untilall required materials (registration form, documents, andfees) are received. The American Red Cross will mail yourAdmission Letter to the address listed on your registrationform within two (2) to five (5) business days after theyreceive your required materials.admission letterYour Admission Letter has important information aboutthe NNAAP Examination. The date you are scheduled totest and the address of the test location where the examination will be administered is included in that information. If you do not get your letter within ten (10) businessdays, call the American Red Cross at (888) 399-7729. TheAmerican Red Cross is NOT responsible for lost, misdirected, or delayed mail.testing locationsThe NNAAP Examination is given by the American RedCross at Regional Test Sites. The complete testing schedule, titled Regional Test Sites and Test Schedules, is available on the Pearson VUE website www.pearsonvue.com.accommodationsPearson VUE complies with the provisions of theAmericans with Disabilities Act as amended. The purposeof accommodations is to provide candidates with fullaccess to the test. Accommodations are not a guarantee ofimproved performance or test completion. Pearson VUEprovides reasonable and appropriate accommodations toindividuals with documented disabilities who demonstrate a need for accommodations.Test accommodations may include things such as: A separate testing room Extra testing time A Reader or Recorder, for individuals with mobilityor vision impairments and cannot read or write ontheir ownTest accommodations are individualized and consideredon a case-by-case basis. All candidates who are request6
ing accommodations because of a disability must provideappropriate documentation of their condition and howit is expected to affect their ability to take the test understandard conditions. This may include: Supporting documentation from the professionalwho diagnosed the condition, including the credentials that qualify the professional to make thisdiagnosis A description of past accommodations the candidatehas receivedThe steps to follow when requesting test accommodationsvary, depending on your test program sponsor. To begin,go to http://pearsonvue.com/accommodations, and thenselect your test program sponsor from the alphabetized list.Candidates who have additional questions concerning testaccommodations may contact the ADA Coordinator ataccommodationspearsonvue@pearson.com.7
CancellationIf you are unable to attend your examination, you mustcall the American Red Cross at least three (3) businessdays before the examination date to re-schedule (Saturdayand Sunday and national holidays are not considered business days). If you do not call the American Red Cross atleast three (3) business days in advance of your examination date to re-schedule, and do not show up for yourscheduled examination, you will be responsible for theexamination fee. Your fee will not be refunded and cannotbe transferred to a new examination date, and you maynot give your examination date to another person. If you notify the American Red Cross in time, there isno penalty, and your fee may be transferred to your newexamination date. If your employer paid your examination fee, you should tell them about missing the examination or re-scheduling. Let them know how you havehandled re-scheduling and when you plan to re-test. If you do not report to the testing location on the dayof your scheduled examination, you will be considereda “no-show” and the absence will count as one of thethree attempts to pass the examination.Re-schedulingTo re-schedule your examination, please call the AmericanRed Cross at (888) 399-7729 weekdays between 8:30 a.m.and 5:30 p.m.refundsOnce payment of exam fees is received, NO REFUNDSWILL BE ISSUED.Absence PolicySince unexpected situations sometimes occur, the AmericanRed Cross will consider excusing an absence for a seriousillness or an emergency. A request for an excused absencemust be submitted at least two (2) business days prior to,or within one (1) day after, the scheduled examination. Youmay be asked to provide evidence of the situation.8
Acceptable reasons for an excused absence are: Illness of yourself or a member of your immediatefamily Death in the family Disabling traffic accident Court appearance or jury duty Military dutyWith proper notification, there is no fee for re-schedulingan examination; however, you are only permitted to reschedule one time.The American Red Cross’s decision regarding whether anabsence is excused will be final.Weather EmergenciesThe examination will be delayed or cancelled only inemergencies. If severe weather or a natural disaster makesthe test site inaccessible or unsafe, the examination will bedelayed or cancelled.Exam Daychecking inYou must arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time forBOTH the written and skills examinations. If you are latefor the written examination you will not be allowed to testand your fees will not be refunded. If you missed your written examination and are scheduled for a skills evaluation,please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time. SkillsEvaluation test times are approximate. You will be requiredto check in for both the written and for the skills examinations. You will be required to present proper identification.What to BringBe sure to arrive at least thirty (30) minutes prior to yourexamination. You MUST have the following items withyou when you take the examination: Two (2) forms of signature identification, one ofwhich must be photo identification Three (3) No. 2 pencils (sharpened) Eraser Your Social Security numberNo other materials will be allowed.9
Proper IdentificationYou are required to bring two (2) forms of official, signaturebearing identification to the test site (one of which must be aphoto identification). Photocopies of identification will NOTbe accepted. Examples of proper identification include: Driver’s license Signature-bearing Social Security card (or affidavitstating that you have applied for your Social Securitynumber. Please Note: Your Social Security numberwill be required when you renew your certification.) Clinic card Credit card Library card State-issued identification card Passport Alien registration cardThe name on your identification must be the same as thename you used on the application to register for the examination. If your name is different, you MUST bring proof ofyour name change (a copy of an official document such as amarriage license or divorce decree) to the test center.If you do not bring proper identification, you will notbe allowed to test and your examination fee will notbe refunded.Security and cheatingIf you give help to or receive help from anyone during theNNAAP Examination, the examination will be stopped. Theincident will be reported to the DC Board of Nursing forreview, and your examination will not be scored (see TestingPolicies).All examination questions, each form of the examination,and all other examination materials are copyrighted by, theproperty of, or licensed to Pearson VUE. Consequently,any distribution of the examination content or materialsthrough any form of reproduction, or through oral or written communication, is strictly prohibited and punishableby law. Anyone who removes or tries to remove examination material or information from the test site will beprosecuted.10
Testing PoliciesThe following policies are observed at the test site.LatenessPlan to arrive about thirty (30) minutes before the examination starts. If you are late for your scheduled examination, or do not bring all of your required items (see Whatto Bring), you will NOT be allowed to test and yourexamination fee will NOT be returned.Electronic DevicesCellular phones, beepers, or any other electronic devicesare not permitted to be used and must be turned offduring testing. There is no place for storage of personalbelongings at the Regional Test Sites.Study AidsYou are not permitted to take personal belongings such asbriefcases, large bags, study materials, extra books, or papersinto the examination room. Any such materials brought intothe examination room will be collected and returned to youwhen you have completed the examination. Pearson VUE isnot responsible for lost or misplaced items.Eating/Drinking/SmokingYou are not permitted to eat, drink, or smoke during theexamination.MisconductIf you cause a disturbance of any kind or engage in anykind of misconduct, you will be dismissed from theexamination and reported to your state licensing agency.Decisions regarding disciplinary measures are the responsibility of this agency.Guests/VisitorsNo guests, visitors, pets, or children are allowed at theRegional Test Sites.11
The Written(or Oral) ExamWritten ExamThe Nursing Assistant Evaluator will hand out materialsand give instructions for taking the Written Examination.The Written Examination has seventy (70) multiplechoice questions. You will have two (2) hours to completethe Written Examination. You will be told when fifteen(15) minutes are left to finish. Fill in only one (1) oval onthe answer sheet for each question. Markings in the testbooklet will not be accepted as answers. Your answersmust appear on the separate answer sheet. Sample questions for the Written Examination are located on page 14.Oral (English or Spanish) ExamAn Oral Examination may be taken in place of the WrittenExamination if you have difficulty reading English. Youmust request an Oral Examination when filling out yourapplication. The Oral Examination is provided on a cassette tape. A cassette player and earphones are provided atthe test center. You will be asked to listen to a tape of theOral Examination and follow along in the test booklet asthe questions are read aloud on the tape.The Oral Examination consists of two (2) parts, and youmust pass both parts in order to pass the Oral Examination.The first part of the Oral Examination has sixty (60) multiple-choice questions. Each of these questions is read twice.As each question is read, you will be asked to choose thecorrect answer and mark it on your answer sheet.The second part of the Oral Examination has ten (10)multiple-choice questions. These questions test your abilityto speak a minimum amount of English by recognizing common words used as a nurse aide in long-term care facilities.Each word is read three (3) times. You are asked to matchthe word you hear on the tape to the written word in the testbooklet. As you find the match, you mark your answer onthe answer sheet.The Oral Examination takes two (2) hours to complete. Youwill be told when fifteen (15) minutes remain in order tofinish. Fill in only one (1) oval on the answer sheet for eachquestion. You may write in the test booklet, but markingsin the test booklet will not be accepted as answers. Youranswers must appear on the separate answer sheet.12
Written (or Oral) ExamContent OutlineThe current NNAAP Examination Content Outline isbased on the findings from the 2009 Job Analysis of NurseAides published by NCSBN in spring 2010.The NNAAP written examination is comprised of 70multiple-choice items; 10 are pretest items (non-scored)on which statistical information will be collected. TheNNAAP oral examination is comprised of 60 multiplechoice items and 10 reading comprehension (word recognition) items. The candidate is allowed to choose betweena written and an oral examination.% ofthe exam# ofquestionsin the examI. Physical Care SkillsA. Activities of Daily Living. 14% .81. Hygiene2. Dressing and Grooming3. Nutrition and Hydration4. Elimination5. Rest/Sleep/ComfortB. Basic Nursing Skills.39%. 241. Infection Control2. Safety/Emergency3. Therapeutic/Technical Procedures4. Data Collection and ReportingC. Restorative Skills. 7%.41. Prevention2. Self Care/IndependenceII. Psychosocial Care SkillsA. Emotional andMental Health Needs.11%.6B. Spiritual and Cultural Needs.2%.2III. Role of the Nurse AideA. Communication. 8%.5B. Client Rights. 7%.4C. Legal and Ethical Behavior. 3%.2D. Member of theHealth Care Team. 9%.513
Sample QuestionsThe following questions are samples of the kinds of questions that you will find on the Written Examination.Check your answers to these questions in the box below.1. The client's call light should always be placed:(A) on the bed(B) within the client's reach(C) on the client's right side(D) over the side rail2. Which of the following items is used in the prevention and treatment of bedsores or pressuresores?(A) rubber sheet(B) air mattress(C) emesis basin(D) restraint3. When caring for a dying client, the nursing assistant should:(A) keep the client's room dark and quiet(B) allow client to express his feelings(C) change the subject if client talks about death(D) contact the client's minister, priest or rabbi4. What does the abbreviation ADL mean?(A) Ad Lib(B) As Doctor Likes(C) Activities of Daily Living(D) After Daylight5. A fter giving a client a back rub, the nursingassistant should always note:(A) the last time the client had a back rub(B) any change in the client's skin(C) client's weight(D) amount of lotion used6. How should the nursing assistant communicatewith a client who has a hearing loss?(A) face the client when speaking(B) repeat the statement(C) shout so that the client can hear(D) use a high-pitched voice1. B2. B3. B4. CCorrect Answers145. B6. A
Self-AssessmentReading TestThe two-part Self-Assessment Reading Test that appearsbelow will help you decide if you should consider takingthe Oral Examination instead of the Written Examination.To complete the reading test, follow the instructions provided below and select the answer to each question. Whenyou have completed the reading test, you will be able todetermine the number of questions you answered correctly.Part 1: Vocabulary1. Circle the best answer to each question.2. W hen you have finished, check your answers usingthe answer key on page 18.3. Count up the number of correct answers.4. I f your score is less than 17, you may have difficultyreading the Written Exa
nursing facility employer or your nursing assistant training program, by calling the American Red Cross or by downloading the application from Pearson VUE’s web site. Complete the registration form with the assistance of your training program provider, director of nursing, facility administrator, or other employer.
