National Certification Exam Candidates

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  • 1.  couple of clarifications

    Posted 07-08-2025 14:23

    Good Afternoon, 

    I am going through the review book, nurse builders note cards and Dr. Selkman's Ecourse for a second time. 

    1-Vision Referrals- 

    Ecourse handout says- 3/4 y/o refer 20/50 and 6y/o and up refer 20/40 (no 5 y/o indicated). Review course book says 3/4 y/o 20/50, kindergarten through adult 20/40. Note cards say 5 and younger refer 20/50 and 6 and older 20/40.  Ugh.... when do we refer 5y/o kinders...??  20/50? 

    2- Causes of death --I know this has been discussed .-- sorry to bring is up again. 

    Leading cause of death for all age groups accidents. 

    Ecourse handout says 6-12y/o 2nd= suicide and 3rd Cancer, 4th Homicide. 

    I have noted 5-9 y/o 2nd= cancer, 10-14 2nd= Suicide and 15-19 y/o 2nd is Homicide. 

    I believe Dr. Selkman responded to a thread 5-9y/o  2nd= cancer, 3rd= Congenital anomalies.  10-24 y/o (don't know if 24 is a typo for 14) 2nd is homicide and 3rd is suicide.   

    The age groups are just a bit different and overlap in the younger group-- I don't know how important it is... between a 5 and 6 y/o or 10-12 y/o.....  ???

    3-Scoliosis

    I know most school nurses don't screen for scoliosis anymore but ...  In the text book, The degree of curve for scoliosis is 10 degrees with or without a compensatory rotation, -- in the E-Lecture (I believe) >20% Cobb angle will likely require a brace and 40% spinal fusion. 

    Is it important to know the degrees of curvature??  

    Thank you in advance for your feedback!  



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    gretchen Henderson MSN, RN, BSN
    Triad Community Unit School District #2
    Troy, IL United States
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  • 2.  RE: couple of clarifications

    Posted 07-09-2025 21:27
    Let me try to ease your angst over these.
    First I need to stress that I am not an employee of NBCSN, so they do not control what I write or say. I do not write the certification questions nor do I have access to them. I get feedback from nurses like you who take the exam. I also try to write what is current state-of-the-science.

    Having said that, I have never heard that they asked a question that is on the cusp of anything; so you shouldn't have to worry about question #1. Just understand that there is some leeway for pre-schoolers and when they are referred (20/50) and those in elementary school (20/40)

    For causes of death: yes you need to know them. beyond accidents. These data are also updated by CDC every year or so. There are also different age groups (school age vs. 5-9 vs. 10-14, etc.) What is important to know is that homicide is often #2 for teens and suicide is #3. For school-age, the answer for #2 is suicide, #3 is cancer, and #4 is homicide. Firearms are the most common modality for death for ALL ages 1-19. Again, remember that they will probably not identify children in those in-between ages

    For scoliosis, don't worry about the degree of curvature. Just know what to look for and know what is abnormal. You would never be making the decision about the treatment, so relax.

    You've got this.
    Janice


    --
    Janice Selekman DNSc, RN, NCSN, FNASN
    Professor Emeritus
    University of Delaware
    302-622-8884 (home)



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: couple of clarifications

    Posted 07-11-2025 17:03

    Thank you Dr. Selekman!  I am definitely feeling some anxiety. My test date is a week and half away.  I have listened to your review a couple of times as well have read most of the textbook.  I have 27 years of experience in school nursing but have learned a lot through this studying process.  Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!  

    Gretchen Henderson 



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    gretchen Henderson MSN, RN, BSN
    Triad Community Unit School District #2
    Troy, IL United States
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    Original Message