A&P 1 help

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Feb 2, 2015

A&P.... Hmmm... Sounds like you have a good system to learn the anatomy/lab portion. The other half of A&P is physiology, which is heavily dependent on learning the "why" of the "process" and the pathophysiology of our bodies.

Recreating the organs/organ systems is different modalities really helped me.

For example, verbally explaining how the heart pumps un oxygenated blood to the lungs through (I forgot the name of the vessels) them the blood returns to the heart, then is forced through the atrium to the ventricles ... Etc... To the body.., etcetera.

While I've forgotten the details at this moment, I knew this info in class and now I have a basic understanding of the implications to my Pts.

In sum, be able to put the process into words.

Also, draw a schematic picture of the physiology.

And make yourself a few flash cards about the process. Make both picture flash cards as well as word based flash cards.

Another thing that helped me was to think of an illness and think about how the physiology relates to the illness. For example, hypertension is related to too much volume or pressure in the blood vessels. Medications, such as beta blockers, cause the heart not to respond to the stimulation as effectively and this reduces the hearts work.

And when I ate food, such as neck bones and ox tails, you bet I could describe where a herniated disk would be on my food. Gross, I know, but it worked. I knew where each foramen was located, saw where the nerves would run through and was able to correlate that to my studies. Gross,yes, but immersion worked for me.

I studied at least 6+ hrs per week during my prereqs. This doesn't include extra time studying for tests or the completion of homework. Sometimes I studied 4-6 hrs per day 4-7 days per week.

I also created study groups which met weekly and and before tests.

PS I was close to failing my first accelerated summer school A&P course when I dropped it. I then worked my orifice off to pass micro then A&P 1 then A&P2, all with A grades.

I hope this helps!

Mami.RN, MSN, RN · Feb 2, 2015

Thanks so much vintagemother. I am already reading ahead for class and writing my own notes on text. I made flashcards for the lab practical. I think I should make flashcards for lecture was well. I have to do whatever works to remember this because I cant afford another 63%. I study but maybe I need to start studying more.

krrbrr, ADN · Feb 2, 2015

Thanks so much vintagemother. I am already reading ahead for class and writing my own notes on text. I made flashcards for the lab practical. I think I should make flashcards for lecture was well. I have to do whatever works to remember this because I cant afford another 63%. I study but maybe I need to start studying more.

Have you tried speaking with your professor? You'd be surprised how much it helps to have a little guidance. Knowing what you should be focusing on for your studies such as maybe some of the test questions are variations from homework? Quizzes? Review sections in the Chapters?

Good luck to you Mami, you can do this!

mbtsab · Feb 2, 2015

for your lecture test, was it fill in the blanks? I haven't taken my lecture test yet(feb 11), but every week we have a lab quiz. the practical for lab isn't until March! eeekk. well anyway, my first quiz I got an 85, and tonight is my next quiz. I am soo nervous at failing this. I have been watching you-tube after you-tube video to get an all around understanding of everything. I dream about this stuff...I feel like I can't even learn anything else in my brain... :wacky:

Moors33 · Feb 2, 2015

As far as the skeletal system, do you have access to a skeleton and/or a set of bones? Maybe in a science study lab or tutoring center? I found it far easier to learn the axial and appendicular skeleton if I had the actual bones right there in front of me.

Also, read the chapter(s) to be covered in your A&P lecture prior to that particular class, and try to have, at least, a passing familiarity with the basic concepts so that when the material is presented during the lecture it's not the first time you're hearing it--I bet that will help cut down on some confusion in class.

Mami.RN, MSN, RN · Feb 2, 2015

for your lecture test, was it fill in the blanks? I haven't taken my lecture test yet(feb 11), but every week we have a lab quiz. the practical for lab isn't until March! eeekk. well anyway, my first quiz I got an 85, and tonight is my next quiz. I am soo nervous at failing this. I have been watching you-tube after you-tube video to get an all around understanding of everything. I dream about this stuff...I feel like I can't even learn anything else in my brain...

No it was multiple choice. Our pratical was fill in blanks. We had memorize tissues and get spelling correct. The same will be for bones. We must learn all bones with correct spelling.

We don't have quizzes just exams. I dream about it too.

Mami.RN, MSN, RN · Feb 2, 2015

As far as the skeletal system, do you have access to a skeleton and/or a set of bones? Maybe in a science study lab or tutoring center? I found it far easier to learn the axial and appendicular skeleton if I had the actual bones right there in front of me.
Also, read the chapter(s) to be covered in your A&P lecture prior to that particular class, and try to have, at least, a passing familiarity with the basic concepts so that when the material is presented during the lecture it's not the first time you're hearing it--I bet that will help cut down on some confusion in class.

I do have access to rent skeletal system at our school. I think I am going to go to library and get before exam.

I also read material before lecture and take my own notes. After lecture I review power points and compare notes. I also read power points before lecture. Ahh...so much stuff to learn. I am not confused really I get material but its too much to grasp.

On a side note I got my microbiology exam and I got 92% so im glad for good news.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Feb 4, 2015

I did purchase models for use at home when I tools A&P1. I bought a mr thrifty skeleton from amazon and a brain and a skull so that I could study at home. I also practiced labeling the parts on people I knew. One of my instructors told me she would hold her cat and use her cat to learn.

Explaining everything to my kids was extremely helpful! Just today, my 9 yr old reminded me of the fact he can draw hydrophilic tails on lipid molecules as well as he can draw viruses. I made chicken soup today because he has a cold and I related this information to his cold and our food. Immersion helped me.

I'm glad to hear you earned over a 90% on your last exam! Keep it up and you'll be okay!!!

MoonlightIdle · Feb 4, 2015

Another thing is the study outlines for the chapter. These can usually be found on the book manufacturers website. What A&P book do you use? And also try taking a learning styles quiz. It will help you figure out your best ways on how to study.

foxystar, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2015

Samuel Chen's youtube.com videos on the skeleton parts helped me A LOT with practical exams! Good luck!

ssgage2015 · Feb 8, 2015

This may sound silly but when I was studying A&P bones and muscle systems I actually google games to play to help learn those things. I found poke a muscle and whack a bone. I think these game were what made me memorize those mundane things we as nurses must know! Honesty it may not work for everyone but if it's fun and also helps you remember things then I'll try anything! I got a 96% on those tests! Good luck!