Unprepared for my first SIM man experience, looking for some book suggestions

[LaurenGibson]

I just had my first SIM man experience (fundamentals course). All of my fellow students said it was easy, you just did your skills on the patient (dressing change, foley cath insertion etc) My instructor (different from the other students) did it completely differently! My wound dehissed, and was bleeding everywhere, my pt. BP was tanking, PR went up etc.... I knew I needed fluids and blood but I guess I needed to check H/H and a whole bunch of other problems that I had no idea how to address.

Needless to say, it was a very eye opening experience! She said that she has already seen us do the skills in the lab and she wanted to see what we could do, which I understand. However, none of us have EVER been taught any of this, like what lab values mean or what labs to look at when your pt is hemorrhagic (as a basic example). I have my next book (med surg) and have been looking at it and it really doesn't have that information either (it has some but not specifics).

I was contemplating getting an Emergency medicine book for nurses, thinking that it might explain exactly what you would need to do in the most dire of situations. I was wondering if anyone knew if that type of book is what I am looking for, if not does anyone know where I can find that info? or recommend a good book? I just want to be able to know what to do so my pt. doesnt crash on me! Thanks

[phuretrotr]

For fundamentals? Where do you go to school at?!!?!?!?!

[MadeNew]

You don't need a new book. You will learn what to do as you move forward in your classes.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

What a great opportunity for you.

As an educator, I would have wanted you to identify general principles that you have already learned from your A & P class - and see how you could apply them in this situation. For instance, for an open wound, you could have verbalized & demonstrated your understanding of protecting the area from contamination with some sort of sterile cover. You should be able to recall the problems associated with uncontrolled bleeding so put head down & feet up to maximize pressure & prevent shock. You should be able to recall facts about how to stop/slow bleeding so you would exert direct pressure on the bleeding area or 'upstream' on a pressure point. And of course, your instructor would expect you to act exactly like you would in a real situation.... Yell for help immediately when you notice that the situation is waaay beyond your capability.

No one expects you to have advanced knowledge at this point in your education. You don't need lab values for nursing interventions.