Block 4 maricopa community college advice

AZirish · Jun 18, 2014

I am finishing Block 4 now. We only had two days between block 3 and 4, but knowing what I know now, I would have taken an ACLS class. I had a difficult time reading the EKG strips and distinguishing the different rhythms. I can also suggest reading ahead if you have time: advanced respiratory (ARDS, ventilators) shock (cardiogenic, septic, neurogenic, hypovolemic, etc), emergent care and trauma, and burns. Just read the chapters and get the ideas in your head, so when you go to lecture in the fall, you will already be familiar with the concepts. Hope this helps!

Spunj13 · Jun 23, 2014

thanks for the advice @AZirish, I really appreciate it.

Hobberdog · Jun 25, 2014

This site has a great ECG simulator. You can adjust the time of the game with the settings button. It really helped me recognize the rhythms. ECG Simulator | SkillStat Learning - Fast, Fun and Effective!

I would also start reviewing the values for blood gas (if you haven't already), and the basics of hemodynamics. Good luck.

Spunj13 · Jun 25, 2014

Thanks @wbthomas ABGs I feel I have a good handle on them. ECG/EKGs are a foreign language to me so I can use all the help i can get. When you say hemodynamics I am not sure what you mean? could you explain a little further. Thanks for the help

Hobberdog · Jun 28, 2014

Spunj13. Recognizing the difference between metabolic and respiratory changes in the blood gases. What is the cause of the change, and what can be done to help stabilize the patient.

ECG's just take practice. The link I provided really helped me. Several of the rhythms listed there are not rhythms that we were required to learn for school, but I learned them anyway. It helped with the NCLEX.

Good Luck.