Q: Let your doctor know if you develop prolonged bleeding or signs of an infection. Check your wound every day. If the discharge from the wound has an odor, or if the area appears to be swollen or reddened, contact your doctor. You may be developing an infection. Also let your surgeon know if you have any difficulty passing urine. It is normal for the surgical site to bleed or ooze a little over the first few days following surgery. The amount of blood or drainage is minimal, but obvious. You may notice small blood stains on your underwear or clothing for a few days following the procedure. While a dressing on the wound is not needed, if you are uncomfortable with the small amounts of blood or drainage staining your clothes or bedding materials, a small dressing can be used at your discretion. A small dressing, like a 4 x 4 gauze pad, can be lightly taped to the area to absorb any blood or drainage. Notify your doctor if the wound actively bleeds. An adult should be with you at all times for the first 24 hours after your surgery. Do not lock personal privacy doors, such as the door to the bathroom or bedroom, for the first few days as you recover. The person with you may need to get to you quickly. Rest quietly at home. Recline in a comfortable chair or nap throughout the day in bed. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Do not attempt to be physically active or operate any kind of machinery or heavy appliance for the first few days after your surgery. It may take two to three days to feel your normal energy level return. Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinking beverages that contain large amounts of caffeine, such as tea or coffee. Moderate intake is ok. Eat lightly at first. Stick with soup, small meals, and sandwiches for the first few days. Avoid eating greasy, spicy, or heavy foods as this may make you feel sick. Do not drink alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours after your surgery. If you feel any pain or discomfort, take acetaminophen products, or take the medication prescribed by your surgeon. Only take products your surgeon advised you would be ok. Always follow the directions on the product label or prescription container. Do not take more than what is recommended or prescribed. If any stitches are visible, do not pull them or cut them. Ask your doctor about the types of stitches used during your procedure. Most stitches used for this type of surgery are dissolvable, and are absorbed by your body in about three weeks. Some surgeons may still use the kind of stitches that require removal by the doctor. The types of stitches used may also require that you wait a few days before you bathe or shower. Ask your surgeon when you can resume your normal bathing or showering routine. Wear loose fitting clothes to avoid rubbing against your surgical site and causing irritation. Your doctor will advise you on how long to avoid sexual activity. Most surgeons advise to refrain from all sexual activity for three to six weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery. If you wake up with an erection, try to get up, go to the bathroom, or walk around for a few minutes, to prevent the erection from continuing. Do not touch your genital area, other than to shower if allowed and to urinate, for 48 hours after the procedure. You may return to work as soon as you feel able. Most men are able to return to work within a few days. Some more involved procedures may require a longer recovery period, possibly as long as two weeks. Your surgeon will advise you when you can resume your normal daily routine. Allow yourself several days to feel more energetic and more like yourself. It takes time for the lingering effects of the anesthesia to wear off. You can return to your exercise program gradually starting several days after your surgery. Avoid activities that are irritating or put pressure on your penis for a longer period of time. For example, you should not return to bicycling for two weeks. Ask your doctor about returning to specific sports that require tight binding in your groin area, or may be irritating to your penis. Your doctor will guide you in returning to your sport. Once you have waited the appropriate amount of time before engaging in sexual activity, the experience should be pain-free. If you continue to have pain with an erection or with intercourse, talk with your doctor to discuss the results of the surgery and other options.
A: Watch for complications. Do not apply dressings to the wound. Have an adult with you. Resume your normal diet gradually. Take pain medication. Leave your stitches alone. Avoid sexual activity. Return to work. Resume exercise. Inform you doctor if pain continues.

Q: There are several resources available to help you prepare for both certification exams. The NCBDE certification exam handbook has an appendix with an extensive list of resources. The AADE handbook also offers a list of useful resources in its appendix. Appendix 3 in the NCBDE handbook offers a content outline. The content outline describes broadly what the diabetes education test will cover. Examine this content outline closely. Seek assistance from a mentor or consult diabetes education literature to answer questions you might have about the material. Appendix 5 in the NCBDE handbook offers a list of suggested references. Look over these references, taking notes as necessary, to sharpen your knowledge of specific content areas. Focus on areas that you are less familiar with in order to remedy any gaps in your understanding. For a $55 fee, you can take a practice NCBDE examination through Psi/Amp. A practice AADE test is available online for $95. A test tutorial to help you familiarize yourself with the computerized testing system is also available online. Visit the test center at the time and date you selected. Arrive early so that you have plenty of time to find a seat and settle in. The NCBDE test consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. You'll have four hours to complete the exam. The AADE test consists of 175 multiple-choice questions administered over three-and-a-half hours. Bring at least two types of valid, government-issued photo ID. You might bring a passport, driver's license, military identification card, or state identification card with photo. You should also bring a printout confirming your test site, date, and other relevant information. Do not bring your phone, hat, electronics, or other personal items into the test center with you. The AADE exam results are mailed six to eight weeks after taking the exam. NCBDE scores are reported in two ways: raw scores and scaled scores. The NCBDE exam's raw scores will give you your score as a percentage of the total number of questions you got correct out of 200. For instance, you might get a raw score of 150/200. Scaled scores are reported as a percentage of correct questions on a scale of 0 to 99. You must score at least a 70 on this scale in order to pass the exam. Using the above example 150/200 you would earn a 75, giving you a passing grade. You must recertify your NCBDE and/or AADE credentials every five years. Recertification for the NCBDE requires that you accrue at least another 1,000 hours of DSME and that you hold the same position in the same medical field that you held when you obtained certification originally. If you cannot meet the 1,000-hour practice requirement but wish to maintain your certification, you can substitute the practice requirement for 75 clock hours of continuing education. When your certification is close to expiration, the NCBDE, and/or AADE will send you a reminder notification along with directions outlining how to renew your certification. Renewal costs $250 for NCBDE certification and $500 for the AADE certification (or $800 if you are not an AADE member). With your new credentials, you'll have a legitimate claim to expertise in the field of DSME. With your certification, you should be eligible for a pay raise. Broach the subject discretely with your employer. You might ask, for instance, what kind of financial benefits you're eligible for as a certified diabetes educator. Many medical professionals find that they are more confident, respected, and financially secure as a result of earning their certification.
A:
Prepare for the test. Take the test. Review your scores. Renew your certification. Use your certification.