CGRN Exam Format | CGRN Course Contents | CGRN Course Outline | CGRN Exam Syllabus | CGRN Exam Objectives

Exam Name: CGRN (Certified Gastroenterology Registered Nurse)
Certifying Body: American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN)
Exam Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice
Number of Questions: 175 (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest questions)
Exam Duration: 3 hours
Passing Score: Scaled score of 75 (range: 0–100)

I. General Nursing Care (21%)
- Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Physiological, psychological, social, sexual, cultural, and spiritual aspects of patient wellness
- Pharmacology (e.g., prescription medication, OTC, supplements/herbal, compliance/non-compliance issues, education, drug interaction)
- Patients' rights and privacy (e.g., HIPAA, ethics)
- 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
- Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Physiological, psychological, social, sexual, cultural, and spiritual aspects of patient wellness
- Pharmacology (e.g., prescription medication, OTC, supplements/herbal, compliance/non-compliance issues, education, drug interaction)
- Patients' rights and privacy (e.g., HIPAA, ethics)

II. Gastroenterological Procedures (35%)
- Endoscopic procedures (diagnostic and therapeutic)
- Equipment, devices, and accessories
- Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Environment of care (e.g., thermal burns, chemical spills, radiation, timeout)
- Pharmacology (e.g., sedation/anesthesia medication, reversal agents, procedure medications, resuscitative medication)
- Physiological, psychological, social, sexual, spiritual, and cultural aspects of wellness
- Potential complications and anticipated interventions (e.g., hemorrhage, perforation, compromised airway, medication reaction)
- 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
- Non-endoscopic procedures (e.g., diagnostic, therapeutic)
- Equipment, devices, and accessories
- Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Environment of care (e.g., time out, spills)
- Pharmacology (e.g., learning needs, sedation/anesthesia medications, reversal agents, procedure medications, resuscitative medication, biologics)
- Physiological, psychological, social, sexual, spiritual, and cultural aspects of wellness
- Potential risks, complications, and interventions
- 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
- Potential risks, complications, and anticipated interventions (e.g., underlying conditions)
- Resuscitation procedures and equipment
- Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Emergency/reversal medications
- Sedation/anesthesia guidelines and principles (e.g., American Society of Anesthesia [ASA], airway status)

B. Promote Wellness by Managing GI Health Care Needs
- Health maintenance, health promotion, and disease prevention activities (e.g., diet, nutrition, screening intervals, adenoma detection rates [ADR], lifestyle modification)
- Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Therapeutic interventions in pain management (e.g., ambulation, medication, positioning)
- Patient's rights and responsibilities (e.g., advance directives)
- Pharmacology (e.g., PPI, laxative, pro-biotics, biologics, timing of medication)
- Potential complications (e.g., flare ups, drug reactions/interactions)
- Physiological, psychological, social, sexual, spiritual, and cultural aspects of wellness
- Resources (e.g., palliative, support group, financial and social assistance)

C. Administer Medications and Fluids to Provide Safe Care
- Established standards for administering medications and fluids (e.g., safe administration practices)
- Normal and abnormal gastrointestinal anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Pharmacology (e.g., biologics, infusions/injections, antibiotic, timing of medication)
- Physiological, psychological, social, sexual, cultural, and spiritual aspects of wellness
- Potential adverse reactions, complications, and anticipated intervention

IV. Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention and Control (19%)
- Implement Procedure-Related Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention, and Control
- Standards for infection prevention in an endoscopy setting (e.g., validation of competencies, OEM instructions for use, PPE, spills)
- Equipment reprocessing (e.g., scopes, devices, and accessories, AER, bio burden, timing/delayed reprocessing)
- Sterilization and high-level disinfection (e.g., Spaulding classification, single use devices versus reusable devices, minimal effective concentration of disinfection solutions)
- Safe administration practices (e.g., multi-dose vial)
- Body mechanics (e.g., ergonomics, abdominal pressure, repetitive injuries)
- Electrical, laser, radiation, and chemical exposure (e.g., body piercings, tattoos, implanted devices, return electrode placement)

V. Implement Environmental Safety, Infection Prevention and Control in Gastroenterology
- Patient education related to infectious disease
- Pathogen transmission (e.g., bloodborne, airborne, contact)
- Multi-drug resistant organisms (e.g., VRE, CRE)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Surface disinfection (e.g., point-of-care monitors, non-disposable equipment, communication devices, contact time)