matt1924

Thank you for the clarification. That's the justification I was looking for. And for the other issue with the wheeze, we had a question today that threw us all for a loop as well. We were given a simulated chart with two oral and two parenteral medications listed along with the times administered during the day. One oral med was given once a day and the other four times a day. The two IV meds once per day each. The question precisely asked " How many oral medications is this patient receiving?" We answered "2" but she was looking for "5." How do we justify that? Her rationale was that she was asking how many times a day the patient was taking oral medication, but that isn't in the question. And thanks for the advice to take a break, I had plenty of rest this weekend!

I'm glad you guys are responding to this, I am genuinely curious as to what other professionals think and I'm not trying to be difficult, I promise. However, I tend to agree with Don1984 in that her use of "q" instead of "over" can be misleading. Its not the mathematical portion, or my critical thinking skills, I know what the instructor is looking for. But, they tell us to only apply the information we've been given and to not assume anything. To me, I would be "assuming" the doc wants the fluid to infuse over an 8 hour period since it isn't explicit in the question. Every and over have two different definitions. I even referenced my textbook and could not find one example that was worded in that format. Every one that was asking something similar clearly stated "over 8 hours" or "infused in," etc. For example, if I were to receive an order for Ibuprofen 400 mg tab po q8h, I could assume that giving the patient a 50 mg tablet every hour would be fulfilling the docs orders. But I understand that this means I need to give a 400 mg tab or whatever combo depending on availability one time every 8 hrs. Anyway, I'm not confused or anything I just probably get too deep into trivial matters. On another note though, several of us were also marked as wrong when we answered this question " A somewhat musical sound heard in the lungs, usually with a stethoscope, caused by partial airway obstruction." our answer: Wheeze instructors answer: Wheezes us=wrong Even though in the text it may list the vocab word as "wheezes," its also used in a sentence which indicates plurality. "musical sounds." Our question was given in singular form, so we answer singularly. Still incorrect. -Maybe I need a break. Thank you for taking the time to respond!

Thanks for the reply! I understand the rationale for the answer, but I guess my dilemma is trying to figure out if my instructor was correct in using q8h as meaning "over 8 hours" instead of "every 8 hours", as all literature I can find states the definition is the latter- with no exceptions. I came to my conclusion with the understanding that if I use the literal definition I don't have an infusion time. To me, how a person interprets that changes the question altogether. The instructor has stressed the importance of reading literally and not to make assumptions. I'm just trying to understand why we are taught a system that is supposed to be standardized, it is appropriate to alter the actual definition depending on needs at the moment

Hi guys. I'm a first semester nursing student and I'd like to pick your brains for a minute. I find health calculations simple because the math never changes, it all boils down to extracting the pertinent information from the problem and solving for whatever. That being said, I'm having difficulty with medical terminology here and there and its usage in those problems. Not that I don't understand the abbreviations, but once I have been told that a certain acronym means one thing and nothing else, I interpret it that way. We have been given several problems on our quizzes and even a few exam questions that I feel may skew terminology somewhat which creates confusion. I know that confusion is a necessary evil in nursing school, but I feel that medical terminology shouldn't be messed with when it comes to drug calculations because it creates a potential for mistakes if you interpret xyz differently than I do. Here's an example, please tell me if I am mistaken: At 1600, the doctor orders 1L of D5W q8h. The nurse starts the liter at 1800. The patient receives xxxxxxxx 0.5g in 100 mL 0.9% sodium chloride at 2200. Calculate the patients 8 hr parenteral intake for the 1600-0000 shift. -My answer is 1,100 mL. This is total intake for the 8 hr period -I interpret the question this way: The facts- 1L q8h(every 8 hours) + 100 mL. The medication was all received within the 8 hr window, so I add it all together and thats my total. The question does not indicate the infusion time for the medication. But if I interpret the q8h as meaning "over 8 hours" I would have to factor in that the medication started two hours after the order, so that would only be 6 hours of medication infusion, plus the 100 mL. My total would then be 850 mL. That is the answer my instructor gave, and I was marked wrong. While I realize that it doesn't make sense to infuse instantly 1L of iv meds, reasonable people would realize the instructor means to calculate based on infusion time over 8 hrs. But I look at what I see and interpret it literally. Am I wrong? Real world I would question the intentions, but this is a test so I can't do that.

I got in with a cumulative gpa of 3.1 and 33 points because six years ago I was given an incomplete in a course which affected my average and points big time. Not sure if they calculated that or not, but without it I would have had a ~3.5 and 37 points. I'm sure a few got in with lower scores than me, so my advice is to shoot for the stars- you won't know for sure until you try;)

I would assume that it is Volume 1, though I don't remember anyone being specific. The first volume states at the beginning of the chapter the "theoretical knowledge," and the second volume "practical knowledge." So it is my belief that we should have an understanding of what we should do before we "practice" it...lol if that makes sense.

Yes, those are some ignorant words from your dad! I finally decided to buckle down and get my schooling done a little over two years ago at 28- with five kids! Luckily for me, my wife is very supportive and though I have worked a more-than-full-time job consisting of over 50 hours mon-fri, I still managed two evening classes every semester four nights a week for the past five semesters. Completed all the pre requisites for nursing spring semester this year and applied for the fall 2013 start- and got in! Though my wife and I are going to have a major role-reversal, we are motivated to succeed for the end result. Along the way, it has been difficult. Some people are naysayers who just love to get under your skin and mostly I've contributed this to those who have achieved very little and are just jealous. Hang tough and keep at it, good luck!

yep, its posted on webadvisor for me. i've got a question though- for our watches, did the instructor specify whether a wrist watch or pocket watch was required? I haven't worn one in years, but would assume a pocket watch with a clip of sorts would be less likely to interfere with hand-washing and toting around bacteria, since its not bound to the wrist.

Passed my CPR class! See you guys for orientation!

Thanks!

I was just reviewing my paperwork and it doesn't list the room number the CPR class is being held in, does anyone remember?

Yeah, same here

I spoke with the assistant today and she said it could be picked up on Monday, I was going to pick mine up today, but she was leaving at 3 so I didn't have time after work. I think the class starts before the offices open.

Very nice, glad things went good and thanks for reporting!

do tell how it goes...i'm going to pick up the book sometime in the next few days. I signed up for the 30th class so that I could take two consecutive days off from work. Getting really nervous about leaving my job next month