Any specific books that helped you study?

Hi, I am in my first month of anesthesia school and I am starting to get discouraged. I have done well on my first two test, however, the third test was awful:o . Even though the class average was low, I still think I should have done better. I felt prepared for the test when I went in, but my grade did not reflect this. Our professor told us to re-evaluate our study methods. So, I was wondering if there were any specific books that helped you SRNAs or CRNAs study? I have been reading, studying with groups, making flash cards, and recording/listening to the classes. She teaches from Stoelting(Pharm&Phys) which I feel it is hard to break down the content. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

What specifically are you studying? Physiology? Pharmacology? Anesthetic techniques?

We are specifically covering Physiology. For example, we are now on ANS/lymph in Stoelting. She has been asking a lot of k-type questions on the material. Most of the Q/A are not specifically stated in the book. Our teacher said those with less clinical experience(me!-2yrs) would have to study a lot harder than those who had it. Are there any books that you know of that would help me link all of the info together or that give example questions? Thanks!

What are K-type questions?

K-type questions are a type of multiple choice. There will be four (1,2,3,4)statements and the answer choices will be: a.1,2,3 b.1,2 c.1,2,3,4 d.1,4.

I just finished my first semester which included physiology. I and many of my classmates didn't care for the Stoelting text you mentioned (however, we used it for our pharm class primarily). I never thought it was very good for physiology either. I have used two other physiology books and found the Guyton/Hall text to be the most readable. Look for "Textbook of Medical Physiology" Tenth edition.

Otherwise it sounds like you are doing all the right things. Besides study tips I think you need a pep-talk. Don't give up, you can do it. Keep telling yourself that. Like you, I had a bad exam grade early in the semester that threw my confidence into a tailspin. It got better and I'm still in the program! You have come too far to let one low score to throw you off course.

Thanks for the pep talk! I am not going to give up.

Physiology by Linda S. Costanzo is a good reference/outline book that we used. I like it a lot to add a different perspective and it's cheap. It's a review book for the USMLE

I heard that the Costanzo book was good too. Someone recommended the physiology book by Silverthorn as the one my future program (UNCC) uses. It is an easy read with lots of diagrams/graphics. I had previously skimmed the Lange book by Ganong, but it was hard to read...had lots of detail though.

I think you are right on track with what you are doing. Spending a lot of time double-reading material will make you crazy! Keep the faith...

Good luck!

I agree with the others. Linda Costanzo's book is easy to read. We used Guyton but I always read Costanzo.

If you will start Renal, Vander's book is excellent and Pulmonary Physiology by Levinsky. Also, if you have a copy of the Valley Anesthesia Review, thats also excellent.

Good luck.

K-type questions are a type of multiple choice. There will be four (1,2,3,4)statements and the answer choices will be: a.1,2,3 b.1,2 c.1,2,3,4 d.1,4.

Eeewww, I hate that kind of question.

Guyton/Hall is quite good, I used it for a pathophys course this past semester. The language is straightforward and easy to follow.

Respiratory Phys by West is great too. Renal phys by Koeppen is good too. these should all be supplements to your Guyton or Ganong, which I think are the two most popular comprehensive phys books.

Eeewww, I hate that kind of question.

Guyton/Hall is quite good, I used it for a pathophys course this past semester. The language is straightforward and easy to follow.

I have K-types too. Up to 20% of our tests are K-type questions. Sucks.