How are these 2 patients different?

[lovin]

Yesterday I rounded with the PA. Upon learning that I was a new grad, the PA felt the need to quiz my knowledge. I failed the quiz. But, here is the question:

You have 2 trauma patients.

Patient one has a left facial droop, but can raise both eyebrows.

Patient two has a left facial droop and cannot raise the left eyebrow.

What is the difference between the injuries in these two patients. He told me it has nothing to do with cranial nerves.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

One of my favorite attendings had a clinical pearl or fun fact or bit of trivia at the beginning of every day's rounds. It lightened things up and you could learn some interesting things. Take a few minutes to research about a dozen of them and spit it out at the beginning of report or rounds every day and start a new tradition. Have some fun with it.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Ours did too but we brain stormed and discussed over break or at the desk....and walked away smarter for the day.

[lovin]

Thank you all for your insight. The PA never followed up with me about how the patients were different. I agree with Esme12, that a good teaching moment involves both the question and the answer.

[msygrnbw]

I agree with the previous posters, it would have been a much better learning experience if the PA had discussed the answer/rationale with you afterward. However, I am glad you shared this with us, because it was a good learning reinforcement for me too =)