ABCGN Classification System - Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse (CGRN)

CGRN Test Blueprint

 Practice Domains

 Percentage Questions on Exam

 1. General Nursing Care

 21%

 2. Gastroenterological Procedures

 35%

 3. Patient Care Interventions

 25%

 4. Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention and Control

 19%

 

CGRN Content Outline

 

I. General Nursing Care

21%

 

A. Assess, Analyze, and Monitor the Patient's Health Status through Evidence Based Practice to Determine Necessary Nursing Interventions

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

3. Pharmacology (e.g., prescription medication, OTC, supplements/herbal, compliance/non-compliance issues, education, drug interaction)

 

 

 

4. Patients' rights and privacy (e.g., HIPAA, ethics)

 

 

 

5. Standards of clinical nursing practice and role delineation in gastroenterology setting

 

 

B. Develop a Plan of Care and Educate based on the Patient's Level of Understanding

 

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

3. Pharmacology (e.g., prescription medication, OTC, supplements/herbal, compliance/non-compliance issues, education, drug interaction)

 

 

 

4. Patients' rights and privacy (e.g., HIPAA, ethics)

 

II. Gastroenterological Procedures

35%

 

A. Collaborate with the Health Care Team during Endoscopic Procedures to Provide Safe Care

 

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

1. Endoscopic procedures (diagnostic and therapeutic)

 

 

 

2. Equipment, devices, and accessories

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

8. Specimen preparation, collection, processing, and handling (e.g., labelling, storage, transportation, documentation)

 

 

 

B. Collaborate with the Health Care Team and Perform Non-Endoscopic Procedures to Provide Safe Care

 

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

2.  Equipment, devices, and accessories

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

7.  Potential risks, complications, and interventions

 

 

 

8. Specimen preparation, collection, processing, and handling (e.g., labelling, storage, transportation, documentation)

 

III. Patient Care Interventions

25%

 

A. Recognize and Respond to Emergent Changes in Patient Status to Prevent Complications and Maximize Positive Outcomes

 

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

2.  Resuscitation procedures and equipment

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

4.  Emergency/reversal medications

 

 

 

5.  Sedation/anesthesia guidelines and principles (e.g., American Society of Anesthesia [ASA], airway status)

 

 

B. Promote Wellness by Managing GI Health Care Needs

 

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

1.  Health maintenance, health promotion, and disease prevention activities (e.g., diet, nutrition, screening intervals, adenoma detection rates [ADR], lifestyle modification)

 

 

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., advance 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)

 

 

C. Administer Medications and Fluids to Provide Safe Care

 

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

1.  Established standards for administering medications and fluids (e.g., safe administration 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, sexual, cultural, and spiritual aspects of wellness

 

 

 

5.  Potential adverse reactions, complications, and anticipated interventions

 

 

 

IV. Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention and Control

19%

 

A. Implement Procedure-Related Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention, and Control

 

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

1. Standards for infection prevention in an endoscopy setting (e.g., validation of competencies, OEM instructions for use, PPE, spills)

 

 

 

2. Equipment reprocessing (e.g., scopes, devices, and accessories, AER, bio burden, timing/delayed reprocessing)

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

6. Electrical, laser, radiation, and chemical exposure (e.g., body piercings, tattoos, implanted devices, return electrode placement)

 

 

B. Implement Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention and Control in Gastroenterology

 

 

Knowledge of:

 

 

 

1.  Patient education related to infectious disease

 

 

 

2.  Pathogen transmission (e.g., bloodborne, airborne, contact)

 

 

 

3.  Multi-drug resistant organisms (e.g., VRE, CRE)

 

 

 

4.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 

 

 

5. Surface disinfection (e.g., point-of-care monitors, non-disposable equipment, communication devices, contact time)

 

 

 

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