How did you memorize path of bloodflow in the heart?

Teebee5 · Jul 12, 2010

When I did this I would draw it out, and make a list.

First I would remember the big important words, list them down to the side, then draw a heart divide it into four quaters, and draw the path and number the path to the corresponding list. Then compare to make sure you are right. I found that after 3 times of this practice I was able to remember. On the test, I just drew the heart and could recall the correct path of blood.

Remember Vein has the word "in" in it, meaning it carries blood into the heart!

Good luck, happy studying!

Samantha79 · Jul 12, 2010

I made a song out of it using the first letter of the word and then sang and wrote it out over and over. It only took about an hour before I had it down. I didn't miss one question. But don't ask me what the song was now... that was a year ago. :)

caliotter3 · Jul 12, 2010

I don't remember how I did it, but you should make up your own mnemonic using the words of the pathway. Go over your mnemonic until you have it down pat.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 12, 2010

I have used several ways first to teach myself and then others.

Get some sidewalk chalk and draw a big heart on the street/driveway whatever. Start at the IVC and you are a RBC. Walk through it and say where you are each time. I would also have people say what part of the EKG they are at during contraction and if they were oxygenated or not. This way when you get to the test you can either draw a heart on your test and walk through it again or you will just remember it.

The other way Im not really going to say cause its not entirely appropriate ha ha.

Waitingtill2010 · Jul 12, 2010

I had to memorize bloodflow of the heart in A&P II. The only thing I did was review the diagram everyday for about a 1/2 hour to an hour till it was time for the test. It helps me to review something continuously.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2010

Repeating it over & over & over again! It may seem sort of hard @ first, but when you get to the end of the semester you'll be able to trace a drop of blood easily :)

CBsMommy · Jul 12, 2010

For A&P, I drew it all out and mapped it through. I know that it seems hard but it will become second nature throughout school and will keep popping up through every class from here on out so make sure however you learn it, you will know it always!

Good luck!

notmanydaysoff · Jul 12, 2010

my M/S text has a "bonus" CD that has animations of the heart, glomeruli/nephro/RAA systems, blood, CNS, etc.

additionally, by using the scratch-off registration ID on the inside of the front cover, that gave me access to the publisher's online videos. I am a very visual learner and the animated videos that show pumping action/pathways have been infinetly helpful to me.

I'm sure there are other sites that have equally good videos.

but specific to the heart, once I was able to see how all the chambers/valves work separately and in unison, I "got it." I was then able to diagram it out. that was months and months ago and I still remember it!

wish I could say the same about lab values... :uhoh3:

krltdy · Jul 13, 2010

Freenursetutor.com has an excellent interactive tutorial! I learned it in a matter of 30 min.....seriously

One1, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2010

2 Things that helped me to learn it in the beginning:

1) Arteries = Away from the heart

2) Try before you Buy (this is thanks to a former teacher of mine) = tricuspid before bicuspid (mitral) valve.

Hope that helps.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 13, 2010

However you choose to memorize it, be sure to pick one point as the same starting point every time so you don't confuse yourself. I always started with the right atrium and went from there.