How do you study for health assessment?

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Hey ya'll. I was just wondering how everyone goes about studying health assessment, or what they think is the best way. Sadly, I've already learned two systems we are going to be tested on but haven't done ANY practicing except for writing out everything I need to cover in the assessment. In my class, we learn 8 systems then at the end of the semester we have to draw a system out of a hat and perform the health history and assessment over that system by memorization on our lab partner. Just knowing I have to do this, along with the fact I haven't practiced yet, is overwhelming me A LOT. I have never been that good and memorizing speeches, and I feel this is like that in a way, and kind of worse. And there is SO MUCH to memorize I can't believe I will be able to do it. I don't even know where to start. The day of the test I want to be completely confident about every system and not have a single worry that I will fail, but right now I'm just plain scared to think about it. Any advice would be great especially from those who have already been tested in health assessment! Thanks!

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Practice, practice, practice.... I performed head to toe assessments on family members, friends, classmates, etc--whoever would let me! :lol2:

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This is like the CPNE for Excelsior College. If you don't break it down and get started practicing your lines you will regret it come test day. Pick your partner and help each other write your speeches and practice, practice, practice! There is no other way out of it.

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I wrote a speech for my first eval... (we did "skill evals", and had to basically go over the "checklists"....of pretty much every skill)

It organized my thoughts in a "perfect" scenario...then I recorded my speech and would play it a lot while practicing the "motions"...it worked out great...for subsequent skills (we'd add more on and on, and we could have anything...) I'd just record the checklists, and perform them as I listened to it....

When it came time, things just flowed naturally (DONT GET CAUGHT UP IN MEMORIZING LINES...IT'S TOTALLY NOT THE POINT!!!) Def use #'s to help you recall things (ex. there are 10 things to access for before administering an IV...), then I'd just count them off until I hit them....practicing is your best route, and understanding the WHYS because then u see the purpose

it's a lot of work, but don't let that overwhelm you or let u procrastinate...get started now, and u'll feel so relieved you did. It's not memory that will get u there, it's understanding why. The memory aids can help you recall when you're stressed too...Be confident, breathe, and practice ;-) you can do it!!!

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Thank you!!!! I'm totally going to do this!

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We had to do a full physical assessment in one whack, so to speak. What I do on all of the check-offs is to write out a step-by-step guide, complete with washing hands and identifying the patient, even turning on the light! But, the best thing is practice. Even if your partner isn't available, I'm sure someone else in the class could use some extra practice, too. Or, do what I did/do, get a family member/friend to be my "patient" and do the procedure.

The biggest thing to remember is this: breathe!!!!!

Good luck and God bless :angel:

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