Nursing & Healthcare Exam Prep
byRan Chen, EA, CFP®
EducationCoursesHealthFitness
Nursing & Healthcare Exam Prep is a daily podcast designed to help future nurses and healthcare professionals pass their licensing and admission exams with clarity and confidence. Built and operated by OpenExamPrep, this podcast breaks down major nursing and healthcare exams into focused, easy-to-digest episodes covering NCLEX-RN, NCLEX-PN, CNA certification, and ATI TEAS, across national exam standards and applicable state-level requirements. Each episode targets one key concept, common exam trap, or high-frequency test topic—making it ideal for studying during commutes, workouts, or short study sessions. Created by Ran Chen, EA, CFP®, a financial professional and exam specialist who has personally pas...
Episodes(40 episodes)
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 61, Geriatric Care and Functional Safety
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- How to identify and prioritize immediate safety interventions for fall risks in exam scenarios.
- The CCMA's crucial role in recognizing and reporting polypharmacy without needing to be a pharmacology expert.
- Why you must report sudden cognitive changes as potential medical issues, avoiding the common exam trap of attributing them t...
Published: Oct 5, 2026Duration: 4m 2s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 60, Pediatric Clinical Care and Communication
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- The correct sequence for taking infant vital signs to ensure accuracy (Respirations, Pulse, Temperature).
- How to differentiate between legal parental consent and the concept of a child's assent for medical procedures.
- The critical importance of involving caregivers as partners in pediatric care and using comfort positions.
- To recognize c...
Published: Oct 4, 2026Duration: 2m 47s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 59, Mobility Transfers and Fall Prevention
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- To apply proper body mechanics by bending at the knees and maintaining a straight back during patient transfers.
- How to use the mnemonic 'COAL' (Cane Opposite Affected Leg) to ensure correct cane placement on the patient's stronger side.
- The correct way to use a gait belt by positioning yourself s...
Published: Oct 3, 2026Duration: 3m 22s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 58, Suture and Staple Removal Assistance
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- To always verify the provider's order and assess for proper wound healing before beginning the procedure.
- Why strict aseptic technique is a non-negotiable safety standard to prevent secondary infections.
- The correct sequence for suture and staple removal and the critical immediate response to wound separation (dehiscence).
- How to p...
Published: Oct 2, 2026Duration: 3m 7s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 57, Wound Assessment Cleansing and Dressings
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- How to differentiate the four key types of wound drainage: serous, sanguineous, serosanguineous, and purulent.
- The critical difference between clean technique for chronic wounds and sterile technique for acute or surgical wounds.
- The correct direction for cleansing wounds to prevent contamination (center-outward or top-to-bottom).
- The essential signs of a...
Published: Oct 1, 2026Duration: 3m 9s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 56, Allergies Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- To distinguish an immune-mediated allergy (e.g., hives, itching) from a predictable side effect (e.g., nausea).
- That an adverse reaction is a broad term for any unintended harmful effect, which includes allergic reactions.
- How to identify the signs of anaphylaxis, such as airway compromise, as a medical emergency r...
Published: Sep 30, 2026Duration: 2m 51s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 55, Vaccine Storage Administration and Documentation
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- That your first action for an out-of-range vaccine temperature is to isolate the vaccines and notify a supervisor, not adjust the temperature.
- That the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) must be given to the patient *before* every single dose, and its edition date must be documented.
- How to differentiate common l...
Published: Sep 29, 2026Duration: 3m 30s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 54, Intradermal Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Injections
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- Differentiate injection angles: 5-15° for intradermal, 45-90° for subcutaneous, and a strict 90° for intramuscular routes.
- Master landmarking for key IM sites like the deltoid, ventrogluteal, and vastus lateralis to ensure patient safety.
- Recognize maximum injection volumes per site, such as the 1 mL limit for the deltoid muscle.
- Apply the...
Published: Sep 28, 2026Duration: 3m 7s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 53, Oral Topical Inhaled Eye and Ear Medications
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- Differentiate between oral, sublingual, and buccal routes, emphasizing that sublingual/buccal medications should not be swallowed.
- Apply transdermal patches to a clean, dry, hairless site, rotating sites with each new patch and removing the old one first.
- Master the age-specific technique for administering otic (ear) medications: pull the pinna u...
Published: Sep 27, 2026Duration: 3m 28s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 52, Medication Orders and Delegated Administration
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- The seven essential components of a complete and valid medication order.
- How to correctly identify a patient using two identifiers before every administration.
- The critical steps for seeking clarification on ambiguous or incomplete orders.
- The correct procedure to follow when a patient refuses their medication.
- The 'A-C-T' m...
Published: Sep 26, 2026Duration: 3m 43s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 51, Minor Surgical Asepsis and Procedure Assistance
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- The correct sequence for setting up a sterile field, including the critical one-inch border rule.
- Proper techniques for opening sterile packages and adding items or solutions without causing contamination.
- How to recognize and prevent common breaks in sterile technique, a frequent subject of NHA CCMA exam questions.
- The C...
Published: Sep 25, 2026Duration: 1m 42s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 50, Assisting with Physical Examinations
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- The critical importance of the 'Prepare, Assist, Secure, Summarize' (P.A.S.S.) workflow for physical exams.
- How to select the correct patient position (e.g., Fowler's for dyspnea) based on clinical scenarios presented on the exam.
- The non-negotiable first step in specimen handling: accurate labeling in the patient's p...
Published: Sep 24, 2026Duration: 3m 2s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 49, Exam Room Setup and Equipment Readiness
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- Why your first step in room turnover after an infectious patient leaves is proper PPE removal and hand hygiene, a common safety-focused exam question.
- How to identify breaks in a sterile field by maintaining a strict separation between clean and dirty items, a frequent topic in exam scenarios.
- The i...
Published: Sep 23, 2026Duration: 3m 11s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 48, Draping Privacy and Chaperone Procedures
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- The primary purpose of draping is to preserve patient dignity by minimizing exposure to only the necessary examination area.
- How to properly manage a patient's refusal of a chaperone by ensuring the refusal is informed and meticulously documented.
- The crucial role a chaperone plays in legally and ethically protecting b...
Published: Sep 22, 2026Duration: 3m 32s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 47, Patient Positions and Clinical Uses
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- To differentiate Fowler's (90 degrees for acute respiratory distress) from Semi-Fowler's (30-45 degrees for comfort and aspiration prevention).
- When to select Sims' position (left side, right knee to chest) specifically for enemas and rectal examinations.
- The key difference between Lithotomy (feet in stirrups for pelvic exams) and Dorsal Recumbent (feet f...
Published: Sep 21, 2026Duration: 3m 31s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 46, Pain Scales and Screening Measurements
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- How to select the correct pain scale (Numeric, FACES, FLACC) for different patient populations, a common NHA CCMA exam scenario.
- The critical importance of patient self-report as the gold standard for pain assessment, even when observations conflict.
- A memorable mnemonic, PQRST (Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, Timing), to thoroughly assess a...
Published: Sep 20, 2026Duration: 4m 29s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 45, Height Weight BMI and Growth Measurements
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- The critical first step before any weight measurement is to zero-out, or calibrate, the scale.
- To master the key conversion factors: divide pounds by 2.2 for kilograms and multiply inches by 2.54 for centimeters.
- How to apply the BMI formula and classify results into the four main categories: Underweight, Normal, Overweight, a...
Published: Sep 19, 2026Duration: 3m 46s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 44, Pulse Oximetry and Respiratory Findings
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- The three appropriate placement sites for a pulse oximeter to ensure an accurate reading.
- How to identify and troubleshoot common factors that cause false SpO2 readings, such as nail polish, poor perfusion, and patient motion.
- The key signs of respiratory distress, including accessory muscle use and cyanosis, and the i...
Published: Sep 18, 2026Duration: 3m 37s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 43, Temperature Routes and Technique
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- The specific contraindications for each temperature route, such as avoiding oral measurements after a patient has consumed a hot beverage.
- The expected temperature differences between routes, with rectal being the most accurate and highest reading, and axillary being the least accurate and lowest.
- Proper technique for each method, including t...
Published: Sep 17, 2026Duration: 2m 48s
NHA CCMA Exam Prep 42, Pulse and Respiration Assessment
This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams.
In this episode you will learn:
- How to select the correct pulse site for different clinical scenarios, such as using the apical pulse for irregular rhythms.
- The critical difference between pulse rate, rhythm, and strength, and the correct terminology like tachycardia, thready, or bounding.
- The proper technique for measuring respiratory rate without the patient's awareness t...
Published: Sep 16, 2026Duration: 2m 59s