ABCGN Classification System - Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN)

CGRN Test Blueprint

Practice Domains	Percentage Questions on Exam
1. General Nursing Care	24%
2. Gastroenterological Procedures	33%
3. Patient Care Interventions	27%
4. Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention and Control	16%

CGRN Test Plan

Domain I: General Nursing Care

Task A: Assess and analyze the patient’s health status through data collection.

Knowledge of:

1. Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

2. Physiological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of their wellness

3. Pharmacology (e.g. Prescription medication, OTC, supplements-herbal)

Task B: Monitor and assess the patient’s health status to determine necessary nursing interventions.

Knowledge of:

Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

2. Physiological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of their wellness

3. Pharmacology (e.g. compliance/noncompliance issues, education, drug interaction)

4. Advocating and protecting patients’ rights and privacy (e.g. HIPAA, ethics)

Task C: Educate the patient through effective communication to develop a plan of care directed to the patient’s level of understanding.

Knowledge of:

1. Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

2. Physiological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of their wellness

3. Pharmacology (e.g. Prescription medication, OTC, supplements-herbal)

Domain II: Gastroenterological Procedures

Task A: Collaborate with the health care team during endoscopic procedures to provide safe and effective care.

Knowledge of:

1. Endoscopic procedures ( e.g. diagnostic, interventional)

2. Equipment and accessories

3. Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

4. Environment of care (e.g. thermal burns, chemical spills, radiation, time out)

5. Pharmacology(e.g. sedation medication, reversal agents, procedure medications, resuscitative medication)

6. Physiological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural aspects of wellness

7. Potential complications and anticipated interventions (e.g. hemorrhage, perforation, compromised airway, medication reaction)

8. Specimen processing and handling (e.g. labeling, storage, transportation)

Task B: Collaboration with the health care teamduring non-endoscopic procedures to provide safe and effective care.

Knowledge of:

1. Non-endoscopic procedures (e.g. diagnostic, interventional)

2. Equipment and accessories (e.g. needles, probes, capsules, ligature, PEG exchange)

3. Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

4. Environment of care (e.g. spills, time out)

5. Pharmacology(e.g. learning needs, sedation medication, reversal agents, procedure medications, resuscitative medication)

6. Physiological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural aspects of wellness

7. Potential risks, complications, and interventions

8. Specimen processing and handling (e.g. labeling, storage, transportation)

Task C: Perform non-endoscopic procedures to promote optimal patient outcomes.

Knowledge of:

1. Non-endoscopic procedures (e.g. diagnostic, interventional)

2. Equipment and accessories (e.g. probes, capsules, PEG exchange)

3. Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

4. Environment of care (e.g. time out, spills)

5. Pharmacology (e.g. biologics)

6. Physiological, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural aspects of wellness

7. Potential risks, complications, and interventions

8. Specimen processing and handling (e.g. labeling, storage, transportation)

Domain III: Patient Care Interventions

Task A: Recognize and respond to emergent changes in the patient’s status to prevent complications and maximize positive outcomes.

Knowledge of:

1. Potential risks, complications, and anticipated interventions (e.g. underlines conditions)

2. Resuscitation procedures and equipment

3. Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

4. Emergency medications (e.g. Romazicon, Atropine, Narcan, Epinephrine)

5. Sedation guidelines and principles (e.g. ASA, airway status)

Task 2: Promoting wellness by managing GI health care needs.

Knowledge of:

1. Diet and Nutrition (e.g. supplements, high fiber diet, other specialized diets, diet modifications)

2. Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

3. Therapeutic interventions in pain management (e.g. ambulation, medication, positioning)

4. Patient’s rights and responsibilities (e.g. advanced directives)

5. Pharmacology (e.g. PPI, laxative, pro-biotics, biologics, timing of medication)

6. Potential complications (e.g. flare ups, drug reactions/interactions)

7. Physiological, psychological, social, sexual, spiritual, and cultural aspects of wellness

8. Resources (e.g. palliative, support group, financial and social assistance)

Task C: Administer medications and fluids consistent to provide safe and effective care.

Knowledge of:

1. Established standards for administering medications and fluids (e.g. safe injection practices)

2. Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology

3. Pharmacology (e.g. biologics infusions/injections, antibiotic, timing of medication)

4. Physiological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of wellness

5. Potential adverse reactions, complications, and anticipated interventions

Domain IV: Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention and Control

Task A: Procedure related infection prevention and control.

Knowledge of:

1. Standard for infection control in an endoscopy setting (e.g. validation of competencies, manufactures guidelines, PPE, spills)

2. Equipment reprocessing (e.g. Scopes and accessories, bioburden)

3. Sterilization and high level disinfection (e.g. Spaulding classification, single use devices vs. reusable devices, minimal effective concentration of disinfection solutions

4. Safe Injection practices (e.g. multi-dose vial)

5. Body mechanics (e.g. ergonomics, patient pressure, repetitive injuries)

6. Electrical, Laser, Radiation, Chemical (e.g. grounding pad placement, piercings, return electrode)

Task B: Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention and Control in Gastroenterology

Knowledge of:

1. Patient education related to disease (e.g. Crohns, C-DIFF, VRE, CRE)

2. Bloodborne pathogen (e.g. Hepatitis C, transmission)

3. Multidrug resistance organisms (e.g. MDRO, VRE, CRE)

4. Personal Protective Equipment (e.g. standard precautions, communication devices, attire)