A&P2

BetterThanFiction · Sep 24, 2012

I took pictures & made powerpoints with labels on them. That's what helped me. Also, playing with the models in class was an excellent way for me to learn since I'm hands on.

It really depends on the type of learner you are.

Nurse2b7337 · Sep 25, 2012

Betterthanfiction great idea I plan on going to the Lab this Friday our midterms will be coming up I think next week. OMG!!! We do have this software on mymasteringa&p.com that I forgot about that is extremely helpful. Thanks again for the tip as I am a hands on type of learner.

kmlnielsen · Sep 26, 2012

My professor told us to draw on our kids (if we had them- I have 3) with washable marker. It totally worked!!! If you don't have kids, draw a person on a paper and draw them on the paper. It makes you accountable instead of just pointing to a vessel. It really helped.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 26, 2012

Make a stick figure drawing. I called mine "Blood Vessel Man" :)

Start with the heart and arteries. Follow the path of blood flow out of the heart up to the brain, down the arms to the fingers, and down the trunk all the way to the toes. Use a red pencil to draw these and label each artery as you go. Then work your way back to the heart with the veins. Use a blue pencil to draw these and label them next to the arteries you just did. There are only 4 differences in names between the arteries & veins, otherwise, most are the same (e.g. brachial artery/brachial vein as opposed to carotid artery vs. jugular vein...get it?)

Your stick figure man may look a little funny and out of proportion, but don't worry about that. Once you draw him a few times, you will NEVER forget the correct path of blood flow through the body and you'll always remember the names of your arteries/veins :)

hudabelle · Sep 26, 2012

I think of them like roads. (for some reason I can remember maps well). The veins/arteries will seem like the same vein/artery but they change names.. just like a road when it has a slight bend. If I remember the directions from aortic arch to right hand... leaving aortic arch it takes a right to brachiocepahlic then veers off to right subclavian which turns into axillary and then brachial etc... until you reach your destination.

christina731 · Sep 26, 2012

I also had trouble with the veins and arteries. I had a list of about 100 items to memorize for that lab. What made it easier for me was to focus on only one area at a time such as thoracic & head, abdomen & pelvis, upper extremities, lower extremities. I studied each area for about 2 days an I did well that way. But I did have a week in between labs and that was the only class that I took that semester so I had some time on my hands. What made it a little hard for me was that not every single model in lab looked exactly the same and they did not have the same vessels on them but we still had to know EVERYTHING. I also took pictures of the models which helped a well. Good luck to you! :)

EMT89 · Sep 27, 2012

It helps if you remember the arteries and veins due to location. Also the coloring book is great!

Nurse2b7337 · Sep 29, 2012

How about learning the blood flow?? Not through the heart got that; I'm getting stuck in tracing it from say aorta to left leg!!!

christina731 · Sep 29, 2012

How about learning the blood flow?? Not through the heart got that; I'm getting stuck in tracing it from say aorta to left leg!!!

Wow, I didn't have to trace blood flow outside of the heart! I don't know... :/

Nurse2b7337 · Sep 30, 2012

With the veins and arteries!!! C'mon guys!!! :)

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 30, 2012

Start with the aorta. What are the 3 main branches? Trace the blood flow from one branch until the end of its path. The do the 2nd one, then the 3rd. Follow it all the way back to the heart via the veins and you've got your complete loop.

Like I said in my previous post, this is easier if you draw it as a rudimentary stick figure. Draw a heart with the 3 main branch coming off the aorta and sketch accordingly. It doesn't have to be proportional, just as long as you get the general concept. It will firmly entrench the correct path of blood flow if you draw it a few times.