[imafostermom]

Just a hint: buy a good stethescope. Buy one with soft earpieces and my experience is that the double tubing is harder to hear through buy play with them at the store if you can. Turn the earpieces toward your nose when you put them in your ears and make sure they are well in your ears. As you learn, keep the room quiet and try not to touch the stethescope beacuse these noises will confuse you. Practice, practice, practice...and definitely let someone know whe you are not sure of what you are hearing (as the other poster said) and get someone to redo it. Bottom line is that it needs to be a correct reading and be honest with co-workers about it if you are not confident with a reading and need more practice, they will respect you for that.

[rancelumsden]

I had the most problem with occupied bed. I just didn't get the rolling the person over far enough to get old linen, then putting on the new stuff and rolling them back over it (while keeping the new linen clean).

But yes, BP's were difficult for everyone. I learned this quickly on the job. First job was at a clinic. I 'roomed' people, got their meds and some other basic info, then had to take BP and weight. Did this for 50+ people a day. Got good at it quickly.

Stethoscope DOES make a big difference. I purchased my own. Some people are really difficult to hear.

[FutureNurse23]

As far as the state exam skills I agree BP was the hardest. And when I took my state exam I had BP for a skill,lol. I thought I had failed it but I passed it. I would say its always important to know that your stethescope ear pieces are facing the right way so you can hear correctly. Also make sure to focus and listen to the 1st and last sound. Nevertheless be aware that your stethescope dial is on the the brachial artery located at the elbow.

[rancelumsden]

Originally Posted by littlebitark

For me it was Range of Motions- Am I the only one???

No, not the only one. I forgot that almost kept me from certification during clinicals. We had to name the ROM area we were working and of course, properly do the motion. Yeah, I was really poor at that -- don't know why....

[Goldie_Ferragamo]

For me it was bed making. some days I just wanted to give up everything else was breeze and I ended up getting occupied bed on my state board exam and deal well! Been certified since april still in the job search mode

[2bELNurse1]

BP is hard especially on patient or residents with bigger biceps and arm.

[rancelumsden]

Originally Posted by 2bELNurse1

BP is hard especially on patient or residents with bigger biceps and arm.

I don't get that one

Most difficult are the elderly, as a generalization, where everything is so faint. The only issue with the 'big people' is that you need a larger cuff. You will get too high a reading if cuff is to small. Otherwise, I've not had any issue hearing them.

[calico5]

Manual BP is because don't want to look all clumsy at it, but I'm not any good at making beds. Never have been. I try, but they're just not the best.

[ecmb]

I'm most confused by the bedpan/output because I can't decide if you need one pair of gloves or two. I would think you'd start out with a pair of gloves to position the patient. Then, wearing the same gloves you'd remove the bedpan and pour the contents into the graduate to measure. But we were told not to write the amount with the pen until you remove your gloves. So if I remove the gloves to record the output, don't I need another pair of gloves to empty and rinse out the bedpan and graduate?

So, two pairs of gloves?

[2bELNurse1]

I think the procedure will go like this, first use one pair of gloves to position the person and maintain safety precaution. Provide privacy prior to leaving the room remove your glove,then wash your hands, then when you come back to the room when the patient is done, get another glove on to assist with cleaning and emptying the bedpan and pour specimen on graduate with the same glove and mark your measure then remove glove, wash your hands and record it. This is my idea of how things to keep things as safe as possible, let me know or comment back here to see if anyone have better answer.

thanks