Post by Brian G on Oct 1, 2014 23:45:06 GMT
Clinical experiences can be confusing, nerve-racking, even scary. So how do you get the most out of them?
Start at the records review. See something interesting like a diagnosis of AFIB? Hypertension? Make a note of this in your 3" x 5" notebook.
Also in your notebook, write down the goals that are usually listed in the study guide for the week. Something like "Assess jugular vein distenston" (and then if you're like me, Google jugular vein distention).
Now, when you greet your patient and are taking vitals don't just take the pulse. See if you can detect the irregular heartbeat. Is the apical heartbeat louder with the stethoscope placed lower and more lateral indicating an enlarged heart?
The more practice you get correlating what you read with what you see and touch, the easier it will get-and the less stressful it will be.
Brian
Start at the records review. See something interesting like a diagnosis of AFIB? Hypertension? Make a note of this in your 3" x 5" notebook.
Also in your notebook, write down the goals that are usually listed in the study guide for the week. Something like "Assess jugular vein distenston" (and then if you're like me, Google jugular vein distention).
Now, when you greet your patient and are taking vitals don't just take the pulse. See if you can detect the irregular heartbeat. Is the apical heartbeat louder with the stethoscope placed lower and more lateral indicating an enlarged heart?
The more practice you get correlating what you read with what you see and touch, the easier it will get-and the less stressful it will be.
Brian