Any helpful advice to learn procedures & instruments?

[ruralgirl08]

I am taking an OR program, and have an upcoming exam. It covers: gen sx, urology, & gyne. I don't have a lot of time to study, but I need to make the most out of the time I have. Any suggestions on how to learn the procedures & instruments from the text book in these specialties? I am studying from Alexander's, and have not had the opportunity to step into the OR yet to handle the instruments or see these procedures in action. Any tips on how to memorize these basics, in a way that it will "stick" in my mind?

How did you successfully learn them?

Any feedback would be appreciated:)

[Scrubby]

I learned the instruments by getting copies of the instrument tray lists that are usually in the sterile trays and memorising them and writing some notes on how to identify them-is it toothed or non toothed? Retracting instrument,dissecting, probing or a clamp?

There is also this online quiz that can be helpful but some of the names are different here in Australia:

http://www.surgical-instrument-pictures.com/instrumentquiz1.html