Attended an autopsy today

[econ2nursing]

Just wondering how many students here get the oppportunity to witness an autopsy? How did you feel about it? What was the worst part for you? What was the most exciting? Or, it you have not attended an autopsy, would you want to and why?

I had the opportunity today for my A&P class thanks to a great relationship between my professor and the state's forensic lab. I found it very exciting and interesting, but still had some trouble with the smells, despite the Vicks! (it does wear off eventually, and a little too soon I might add) I have heard this is a very unusual experience to have- especially since I do not start the nursing program until Jan '10.

Just curious...

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I haven't witnessed an autopsy but when I took A&P we did go and see a cadaver.

[Nepenthe Sea]

I got to go to cadaver lab also when in A&P II, but no autopsy. Although I would love to see one. (sounds weird, I know)

[CBsMommy]

I would love to see an autopsy. We also got to see a cadaver and it was VERY interesting! Prior to nursing, I kicked around with the idea of going into mortuary science but I just don't think that I could handle the kids that come wheeling through the door.

How exciting for you! Did you learn a lot? Congrats! I hope I get to see one some day!

[BVP910]

I would love to have the opportunity to witness an autopsy being done! The human body has always fascinated me and i hope i get that chance. Dont know how much i would enjoy the smell though lol

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

We did cadavers in A&P, different then an autopsy but that's the closest I've gotten to digging in someone. I think I'd react the way I did with the cadavers...weirded out at first but then didn't bother me. I think it would be interesting.

[rbytsdy]

I just went to an autopsy as part of my first clinical experience. Of the 10 clinicals my school has going, we are the only clinical that got this experience since my instructor has no qualms about asking for this kind of stuff.

It was really interesting. I do agree about the smell though. I wore a mask and it was still tough. The worst this is that I was reading the story about a guy who was killed in a MVA online the day before the autopsy. When the tech was explaining the situation, suddenly realized t was the case I had just read online. I didn't realize little things - like the the ER leaves the body exactly as is which means the body still had the intubation tube in and all of the person's personal items were still on him. I did walk up and get close a few times but for the most part, I kept my distance. It was really interesting to see all the organs inside a body (rather than just pictures in a book). I could have learned more if I watched them take out all the organs but I kept having to look away. It could get overwhelming. The medical examiner was good though - she predicted everything that she was looking for. She knew exactly what she was looking for and described everything too us.

It's worth asking about! It really just boiled down to my instructor asking. They let 2 of us in at a time. As it turned out, the autopsy room was on the same floor that I'm doing clinical on.

[econ2nursing]

rbytsdy- I didn't realize the hospital left everything as is either. Our cases were DOA's at the scene so they never went to the hospital for resuscitation. The there were 2 cases we were able to view and the first was really interesting because he had a pacemaker and it looked to be a very tedious procedure to take it out. The ME said he needed to be especially cautious b/c he wanted to send it for testing to make sure it was not faulty. The other case was was more smelly, (probably from the marijuana and all the munchies in his stomach) but he also had a heart that weighed 940g! That was by far the most incredible thing that day! I think I would like to stick to the living and seeing 'real life' anatomy instead.

Thanks everyone for your comments, it's good to know I'm not the only weird one who thought this experience was really cool!