ABCGN Classification System - 
Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN)

I. General Nursing Care

1. Assist in assessing the client through data collectionin order to determine the client's status.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Assessment techniques
Data-collection techniques
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Interpersonal communications
Normal diagnostic values
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Risk factors
Scope of nursing practice

Skill in:
Collecting data
Communicating
Interpreting data
Interviewing
Thinking critically

2. Monitor the client's ongoing health status by observing changes in the client's condition in order to evaluate alterations in the client's level of wellness.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Assessment techniques
Data-collection techniques
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Interpersonal communications
Monitoring equipment
Normal diagnostic values
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Risk factors

Skill in:
Collecting data
Communicating
Interpreting data
Interviewing
Thinking critically
Utilizing equipment

3. Collaborate with the client through listening and communicating effectively in order to contribute to a relevant plan of care.

Knowledge of:
Assessment techniques
Data-collection techniques
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Health promotion
Interpersonal communications
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Risk factors

Skill in:
Collecting data
Communicating
Interpreting data
Interviewing
Listening
Thinking critically

4. Educate the client by providing appropriate information for the client's level of knowledge and comprehension in order to promote optimal health.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Assessment techniques
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Gastrointestinal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Health promotion
Interpersonal communications
Learning theory
Nursing process
Nutrition
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Risk factors

Skill in:
Collecting data
Communicating
Interpreting data
Interviewing
Listening
Presenting information
Teaching
Thinking critically

5. Facilitate support for the client by multidisciplinary collaboration in order to provide holistic care.

Knowledge of:
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Health promotion
Interpersonal communications
Patient's rights and responsibilities
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Risk factors

Skill in:
Collaborating
Communicating
Interpreting data
Interviewing
Listening
Networking
Thinking critically

6. Provide culturally relevant care by recognizing diversity in order to offer services that are sensitive to the uniqueness of the client.

Knowledge of:
Assessment techniques
Cultural norms (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual preference, language, religion, economic status)
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Gastrointestinal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Health promotion
Interpersonal communications
Learning theory
Nursing process
Nutrition
Patient's rights and responsibilities
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Risk factors

Skill in:
Collaborating
Collecting data
Communicating
Empathizing
Interpreting data
Interviewing
Listening
Teaching
Thinking critically

II. Gastroenterological Procedures

1. Support the physician during endoscopic procedures by team collaboration in order to accomplish procedures in a safe and effective manner.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Endoscopic procedures (diagnostic and therapeutic)
Equipment and accessories
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Infection control
Interpersonal communications
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Potential complications
Risk factors
Scope of nursing practice
Specimen collection

Skill in:
Collecting data
Collecting specimens
Communicating
Delegating responsibility
Interpreting data
Listening
Patient monitoring
Performing therapeutic modalities (e.g., polypectomy, biopsy, banding, wire exchange)
Setting priorities
Thinking critically

2. Support the physician during non-endoscopic procedures by team collaboration in order to accomplish procedures in a safe and effective manner.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Equipment and accessories
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Infection control
Interpersonal communications
Non-endoscopic procedures (diagnostic and therapeutic)
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Potential complications
Risk factors
Scope of nursing practice
Specimen collection

Skill in:
Collecting data
Collecting specimens
Communicating
Delegating responsibility
Interpreting data
Listening
Patient monitoring
Performing non-endoscopic procedures (e.g., feeding tube insertion, manometry, liver biopsy, foreign body extraction)
Setting priorities
Thinking critically

3. Perform non-endoscopic procedures consistent with established practice in order to promote optimal patient outcomes.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Equipment and accessories
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Infection control
Interpersonal communications
Non-endoscopic procedures (diagnostic and therapeutic)
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Potential complications
Risk factors
Scope of nursing practice
Specimen collection

Skill in:
Collecting data
Collecting specimens
Communicating
Delegating responsibility
Interpreting data
Listening
Patient monitoring
Performing non-endoscopic procedures (e.g., feeding tube insertion, manometry, pH probe)
Setting priorities
Thinking critically

III. Patient Care Interventions

1. Prevent emergencies by recognizing pertinent changes in the client's health status in order to avoid complications.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Equipment and accessories
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Infection control
Interpersonal communications
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Potential complications
Risk factors
Scope of nursing practice

Skill in:
Collecting data
Communicating
Delegating responsibility
Interpreting data
Listening
Patient monitoring
Setting priorities
Teaching
Thinking critically

2. Intervene in emergencies by prioritizing and delivering appropriate care in order to minimize negative outcomes.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Acute-care interventions
Equipment and accessories
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Infection control
Interpersonal communications
Moderate (conscious) sedation
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Potential complications
Risk factors
Scope of nursing practice

Skill in:
Collecting data
Communicating
Delegating responsibility
Interpreting data
Listening
Patient monitoring
Setting priorities
Teaching
Thinking critically

3. Assist the client in managing discomfort through interventions in order to promote well-being.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Advance directives
Cultural norms
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Interpersonal communications
Nursing process
Pain theory
Palliative care
Patient's rights and responsibilities
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Potential complications
Risk factors
Scope of nursing practice
Therapeutic interventions in pain management (e.g., imagery, touch, massage, ambulation, medication, positioning)

Skill in:
Collecting data
Communicating
Interpreting data
Intervening therapeutically
Listening
Patient monitoring
Setting priorities
Teaching
Thinking critically

4. Administer medications and fluids consistent with established practices in order to provide safe and effective care.

Knowledge of:
Acceptable deviations from the norm
Cultural norms
Gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
Interpersonal communications
Nursing process
Pharmacology
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Potential complications
Risk factors
Scope of nursing practice

Skill in:
Collecting data
Communicating
Interpreting data
Intervening therapeutically
Listening
Patient monitoring
Setting priorities
Teaching
Thinking critically


IV. Professional Standards and Responsibilities

1. Adhere to established professional codes of ethics and standards of practice in order to advocate for the best interests of the client and the gastroenterology-nursing specialty.

Knowledge of:
ANA Code of Ethics
Federal, regulatory, and state agency guidelines (e.g., JCAHO, EPA, OSHA, CDC, HICFA)
Interpersonal communications
Nursing process
Patient's rights and responsibilities
Performance improvement
Physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of illness
Scope of nursing practice
SGNA guidelines and practice standards
Standards of nursing practice

Skill in:
Advocating
Communicating
Interpreting data
Setting priorities
Thinking critically

2. Comply with regulatory agency requirements and the standards set forth by professional organizations in order to ensure consistency of care.

Knowledge of:
ANA Code of Ethics
Federal, regulatory, and state agency guidelines (e.g., JCAHO, EPA, OSHA, CDC, HICFA)
Interpersonal communications
Nursing process
Patient's rights and responsibilities
Performance improvement
Scope of nursing practice
SGNA guidelines and practice standards
Standards of nursing practice

Skill in:
Advocating
Communicating
Interpreting data
Setting priorities
Thinking critically

3. Provide a safe environment by maintaining equipment and complying with infection control standards in order to prevent negative outcomes.

Knowledge of:
Equipment and accessories
Federal, regulatory, and state agency guidelines (e.g., JCAHO, EPA, OSHA, CDC, HICFA)
Infection control standards
Management of hazardous materials
Nursing process
Original equipment manufacturer's guidelines
Performance improvement
Product guidelines
Scope of nursing practice
SGNA guidelines and practice standards
Standards of nursing practice

Skill in:
Communicating
Following infection control standards
Interpreting data
Reprocessing equipment
Setting priorities
Thinking critically

4. Document relevant aspects of practice in order to provide information for future reference.

Knowledge of:
Federal, regulatory, and state agency guidelines (e.g., JCAHO, EPA, OSHA, CDC, HICFA)
Methods of documentation
Nursing process
Performance improvement
Scope of nursing practice
SGNA guidelines and practice standards
Standards of nursing practice

Skill in:
Communicating
Interpreting data
Thinking critically
Writing

5. Utilize research by applying credible scientific findings in order to guide nursing practice.

Knowledge of:
Data analysis
Process improvement
Research methods
Research process

Skill in:
Communicating
Interpreting data
Thinking critically

6. Continue professional development through education, evaluation, supervision, and consultation in order to maintain competence and enhance professional effectiveness.

Knowledge of:
ANA Code of Ethics
Federal, regulatory, and state agency guidelines (e.g., JCAHO, EPA, OSHA, CDC, HICFA)
Outlets for professional development (e.g., journals, conferences, Internet)
Performance improvement
Scope of nursing practice
SGNA guidelines and practice standards
Standards of nursing practice

Skill in:
Communicating
Interpreting data
Managing time
Setting goals
Thinking critically

PHASE III
TEST SPECIFICATIONS
Test Blueprint

The final phase of a role delineation study is the development of test specifications that identify the proportion of questions from each domain and task that will appear on the certification examination. Test specifications are developed by combining the overall evaluations of importance, criticality, and frequency and converting the results into percentages. These percentages are used to determine the number of questions related to each domain and task that should appear on the multiple-choice format examination.