South Carolina CNA study plan

Define the scope of physical care skills a South Carolina nurse aide performs and list which tasks must be reported to the licensed nurse

Demonstrate the sequence of hand hygiene and explain when soap-and-water versus alcohol-based rub is required

Identify standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, and the proper use and removal of personal protective equipment

Apply body mechanics principles to at least five common resident-handling situations and describe safe alternatives to unsafe lifting

Build a one-page infection-control and safety cheat sheet from your own notes

Sequence the steps for complete and partial bed baths, mouth care (including denture and unconscious-resident care), and perineal care

Describe how to assist with dressing, grooming, shaving, nail care, and hair care while preserving resident independence

Explain intake and output measurement, fluid consistency/thickened-liquid precautions, and signs of dehydration or aspiration risk

List interventions that promote normal elimination and describe how to assist with bedpan, urinal, commode, and incontinence care

Practice reporting observed skin breakdown, redness, or changes using a structured observation format

Measure and record temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, weight, and height within accepted ranges and know when to report abnormal values

Describe positioning techniques for supine, lateral, prone, Fowler's, and Sims' positions with correct body alignment and support devices

Explain safe transfer and ambulation techniques, including gait belt use, pivot transfers, and falls prevention

Perform passive range-of-motion movements for major joints and identify when to stop and report pain

Differentiate between observations you document and changes you must report immediately

Summarize South Carolina resident rights, including privacy, dignity, confidentiality, personal possessions, and the right to refuse care

Demonstrate respectful communication techniques for residents with hearing, vision, speech, or cognitive limitations

Adapt care approaches for cultural, religious, and language differences without imposing personal values

Describe how to support resident choice, autonomy, and participation in their own care planning

Practice two role-played conversations: one where a resident refuses care and one where a resident requests privacy

Distinguish delirium, dementia, and depression and describe stage-appropriate approaches for each

Select de-escalation and redirection strategies for wandering, agitation, sundowning, and repetitive behavior

Identify the nurse aide's mandatory duty to recognize and report suspected abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and misappropriation of property

Describe supportive care for residents experiencing grief, loss, dying, and the death of a roommate

Explain how to include family and significant others in care while maintaining resident confidentiality

Define the nurse aide's legal and ethical boundaries, including tasks outside scope that must be declined and reported

Explain the chain of command, what constitutes appropriate delegation, and how to clarify an assignment you do not understand

Apply objective, timely documentation standards and distinguish documentation from verbal reporting

Describe the South Carolina nurse aide registry requirements, certification renewal, and consequences of findings of abuse or neglect

Outline confidentiality obligations under HIPAA-style rules and resident record privacy in the facility

Demonstrate teamwork behaviors that support licensed staff, including shift handoff reporting and prioritizing competing resident requests

Build a time-management routine for a typical 8-resident assignment and identify tasks that can be combined safely

Describe continuing education, inservice training, and professional conduct expectations for South Carolina nurse aides

Re-drill the two weakest physical care subtopics identified in Week 3 using targeted practice sets

Practice recognizing and reporting changes in condition using the SBAR-style structure

Take two full-length timed practice exams that mirror the domain weighting of the South Carolina written test

Review every missed item across all three domains and write a corrected rationale for each

Rehearse the clinical skills checklist verbally, stating the key steps and safety checks for each required skill

Assemble a test-day plan covering scheduling, identification requirements, arrival time, and anxiety-reduction strategies