Student4Now

I will check it out and make use of them Im sure. Thank you so much for the great resource!

I'm having a bit of a hard time. None of these concepts or skills are difficult to grasp per say, Its just that our advisors do not do demos so its hard to know exactly how they want us to do things. They tell us to refer to book a, book b, and video c (if a video is even available) and it will just happen that all 3 will have conflicting techniques, or they will have holes in them somewhere. I have found some videos on youtube of nursing instructors giving demos and they are GREAT! But I am afraid that those certain techniques wont be accepted. For example, I watched a video where the sterile packages were opened and then the instructor put on sterile gloves and just maintained her field that way. I thought that was the cats meow! Lol because I have a hard time "flopping" things onto the field.

Thanks for the great feedback- I really appreciate it. Before I do my skills check off I will just ask my advisor what they want me to pack it with (wet, dry, saline, etc.,).Thank you!

When packing a wound should the gauze be wet or dry? Will the doctor specify that?

Hi all, I have to check off on several skills on Tues so I am trying to get all of my info straight before then. One question is, what is the difference between a wet to dry dressing and packing a wound? They seem virtually the same to me. (unless I am missing something, which is of course a high probability.) Any info appreciated. Thanks!

I was just thinking that when I gave birth to my daughter that someone could have stretched my bottom lip over my shoulders and I wouldnt have noticed...:chuckle

Oh ok great!what about tape? If I pre-cut my tape and have it ready to go, I am only supposed to use my right hand to apply it- is that right?

Hi all, When doing a sterile dressing change, doesnt the field become contaminated every time you reach over to grab an item? Will someone explain this to me? ( I posted this in the LPN student forum but decided to also put it here as I might get more answers). Thanks!

Hi all, When doing a sterile dressing change, doesnt the field become contaminated every time you reach over to grab an item? Will someone explain this to me?

Thanks for the info although I am pretty familiar with what I have :) lol I do have the muscle weakness (cataplexy) and thats the biggest problem for me. I do not "go to sleep" which is a pretty common misconception when I say that I drop, some people make the assumption that I just drop, lay there and sleep, which isnt that case. Although in some severe caes people do go to sleep, I do not. My legs give out from under me and I fall to the floor and have to get right back up. I am concerned that this would happen while I am doing a procedure if I saw something too funny for example. The only portion of narcolepsy that would affect me at work is the cataplexy. I do have ESD but I dont have to sleep at work/at the store/ while driving (things of that nuture). The sleep paralysis obviously wouldnt affect me at work as I have to wake up from sleep to have that. I guess ultimately I will just have to talk to the dr. about treatments that could control the cataplexy, or maybe find some mental coping techniques to block out anything funny. I would never put a pt in harms way by not having control. Maybe I will be able to find a non-clinical area such as case nursing, or phone nursing that I could try. Just looking for a little support......

I am not mentally unstable Valerie. I'm sorry but for some reason the examples you gave were kind of offensive to me. My cataplexy is most usually triggered by laughter or a heightened pleasurable emotion, with being startled (like someone jumping out from behind a door). I havent always been this way. Last year I was fine. The examples that you gave prob. wldnt trigger my cataplexy although other simple things could. Its frustrating.But I am looking for encouragement not discouragement, as I obviously already have doubts. Thanks- Forgot to add that I am not unable to control my emotions ie I can handle stress.

Hey there, right now I am a student (Lpn) and am worried about my future. I have cataplexy, which is pretty scary. I am just wondering if any of you have this and can make it through the day w/o falling or dropping. I havent had any episodes at school yet because things are pretty ho-hum there.I know that If I were to be surprised, excited, or especially if I laugh or think something is really funny I will drop no matter where Im at.I am def. gonna make an appointment, but for now just looking for some coping techniques, encouragement or tips (not asking for medical advice;) Thanks

I got my call/letter about a week after I had all of my app turned in. They have a pretty lengthy waiting list but not too many people do well on the tests, and those are a big part of the entry score in our program.

lol thanks!

Hey thanks!