Microbiology advice (biology of infectious diseases)

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Hey all. I am currently taking prereqs for the LPN to RN program through Excelsior. Passed the A&P with an A and now moved on to micro. The study material isn't too bad but was wondering what you guys did to help you remember all the diseases, microorganism that causes the disease, treatment, signs and symptoms, and all that good stuff. Basically the 5th section of the content guide "Biology of Infectious Diseases". Flash cards bever helped me. What can I do because this is the only part holding me back from taking the test? Thanks guys.

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Bumpp

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Did you take the practice test to assess your current knowledge?

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No I did not yet. That is not such much the problem. I was wondering what you guys did to remember all the infection disease causes treatment and signs and symptoms.

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Specializes in Intensive Care.

I used the practice exams to help guide me to what I would need to focus on from the "Biology of Disease" portion of the exam, along with Study Group 101. Now, I cannot really recall what areas the exam focused on in terms of diseases when I took it back in May. I may have had more gastrointestinal disease questions than anything else. I would suggest making note cards with the disease listed on the front and the signs/symptoms, mode of transmission (how does it get in and out), and treatment therapy on the back. Hope this helps :up:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
No I did not yet. That is not such much the problem. I was wondering what you guys did to remember all the infection disease causes treatment and signs and symptoms.

Being honest with you since I'm not a biology person, I didn't try to learn ALL of them...it was impossible for me. I took the practice exams, reviewed the questions and answers/rationales to see what one word or phrase stood out in the question that made the answer /rationale correct or incorrect.

After reading your question, I pulled up the content guide and went to the sample questions at the end. I randomly picked a question and tried my hand at the answer. I guessed correctly (YAY me!!) using the process of elimination. Hey, when all else fails, right? Anyway, if you look at question #18 (the one I chose), those answers look intimidating. But reading the question, the scenario mentioned a rash as one of the symptoms. I chose the correct answer because in simplifying the answer choices (removed the scientific portion of the name), I've never heard of the flu, pneumonia, or strep causing a rash. So I figured the correct answer had to be the option that I knew nothing about.

I pretty much much did that entire exam like that and passed with a C.:D If this one section is the only thing holding you back from the exam, go ahead and take those practice exams just to see how well you do (I personally think, given your confidence with the other sections, that you'do be pleasantly surprised), and you'd be even more surprised with the actual exam.;)

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I've never heard of the flu, pneumonia, or strep causing a rash.

Psssst... Strep can cause a rash. :D

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.
Psssst... Strep can cause a rash. :D
Operative phrase: "I never heard of it". If I had, the confusion may have been even greater because I surely would not have remembered which respiratory condition had the rash. I've got to eliminate my options some kind of way. Sometimes, what we don't know might help us.....it sure did me!:roflmao:

As as I said before, being that I'm not a science person, I've practically passed all of my sciences using some sort of process of elimination. I can guarantee you all that it wasn't because of information retention.:) Thank you, Pixie.RN for proving this point for me.:D

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I take my a&p test in 2 weeks. Is there anyway you could help guide me in the direction you used to study? Study guides, certain books, or videos that were helpful? Thank you for

your help!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I take my a&p test in 2 weeks. Is there anyway you could message me how you studied and what types of questions were on it???

Discussing test content violates academic honesty policies and can result in dismissal from EC's program. Please don't ask others to risk their status in the program.

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I'm so sorry. So new to all

of this. Just need some guidance as to how to study and if there are any resources that are helpful as well :yes:

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I'm so sorry. So new to all

of this. Just need some guidance as to how to study and if there are any resources that are helpful as well :yes:

No worries, I just don't want to see anyone get in trouble! Did you download the exam content guide from EC?

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