The ROPE method will get you in trouble at the wound station during the CPNE!

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whatever you do, do not and i repeat do not use the rope method at the cpne to pack your wound. ec no longer accepts that method and you will fail that lab for trying to use it. they say that the end is to tight. i would suggest the parachute method. a girl at the cpne failed the wound station on friday using the rope method. civita the ca told her that it was not an acceptable method. luckly i was able to show her how to do the parachute method and she passed the following night. but if we had never met over small talk, she would have failed the cpne.take my message for what its worth but you be you will be thankful when you are at the wound station on friday night during your cpne and you pass with flying colors. lynn is still teaching this technique at her workshop and ec frowns on this method. just be careful.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
So maybe anything even remotely resembling the rope method could be open for interpretation.

I believe this has been the case for the last few years, which is why Lynn was so adamant that what she teaches is not the rope method. But I didn't want to go near anything twisty for this very reason!

The post that covered this was on the EPN on April 9, 2008. The title of the thread is "???? 4 EC Staff only." The original author asks, "6. I read on several posts here on the EPN network that the parachute method or lightly twisting a small portion of the guaze (not rope) was acceptable to pack the wound. But to assure it was fluffed correctly to fill the entire wound bed. Does this remain true?" Civita responded the same day "6. This does remain true!"

Might not be a bad idea to print that out and have it with you if your method of packing does include a small twist. Just a suggestion. :) Like Sue mentioned, a small fold in the end would probably accomplish the same thing for the purposes of packing that particular wound.

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I agree I would stay away from Lynn's method also it is too close to the rope method. I was nervous at my cpne using it. I would use the parachute method.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Lunah, that is not a bad idea to print it off for proof but I think there is a more recent post on the EPN about it. Like within the month. I will research it more and try to find it since I brought all this up.

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Sorry Guys! I didn't want people to panic. That was not my intentions. I was trying to warn that this could happen. Now I feel so bad. I wish I had not posted it. I was just letting everyone know what happened in this particular incident. You can post on EPN for clarifation fron Civita but I believe what the girl said who tested this weekend because she was in a panic trying to find another techique for her makeup lab. I was happy to help. Also Like Sue says, she used a different method other than the parachute and it was fine. There are several ways to do it. I care about all of you and it freaked me out that this happened to her on her CPNE weekend and I wanted others to know about it.Sorry for any confusion.

Don't feel bad.. anything at this point is making me crazy so I'm just overly sensitive.. I appreciate the advice.

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More cowbell, more Xanax, changeofpace.

;)

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

Found this on the EPN. Go to Page 76 or scroll down and look for this thread. As you can see this area is gray for some of the EC staff. While ok for others. Again take it for what its worth. Its just too risky if you ask me.I would say stay away from any packing that even resembles the rope. I am done, hope this helps

om_menu_tee_plus2.gif Civita, I am confused and upset! small_thread_prev.gif 3 SUSAN TOKLES October 20, 2008 1:44 PM

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Thank you NC Girl for bringing up this topic. Useful information for those who are getting ready for the CPNE.

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No, thank you NC girl. I think when we don't keep an open mind, that is when we are in trouble. I think if we don't question each other and think it through there is a problem. You can't learn in a vacuum and you have to be able to with stand someone's challenge to your way, or perhaps your information. I would much, much rather know something like this in advance, so I can be prepared to defend myself, or have a back up method. Than to go in blind and think everything is perfect, and BAM!! I would much rather email so-so at EC and have a response to my name with my student # on it, directly addressing this or that. So I just want to say thank you very much. I know you are not trying to upset anyone, trust me I've been accused of attacking someone in reason history just because I questioned their information. The whole system of asserting a position and having someone challenge is part of the whole learning process. In no way do I consider you posting this information out of line!!! Thank you very much!!!:yeah: As changeofpace says, we are all a little on edge!! :bugeyes:

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

you probably just saved me because i am attending a lynn workshop right before the cpne and probably would be a victim to the over twist...where do i find info on the parachute method?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Found this on the EPN. Go to Page 76 or scroll down and look for this thread. As you can see this area is gray for some of the EC staff. While ok for others. Again take it for what its worth. Its just too risky if you ask me.I would say stay away from any packing that even resembles the rope. I am done, hope this helps

I'll attach a PDF of the question and Civita's response here. Like I posted earlier, the whole rope/twisting business has long been a sore spot; some CEs may see any twisting of the end of the gauze and think "rope," even if it's not truly the rope (twisting of the entire gauze). It really is open to interpretation. NC Girl, I'm glad you brought it up! I had almost forgotten the whole flap about twisting. It comes up every few months.

Tx, this is the parachute method, as posted by Dr. A on the EPN:

1. Moisten gauze sponge (4x4)

2. Remove from tray and squeeze out excess NS

3. Open sponge to 2 ply (this leaves only 2 jagged edges of cotton gauze)

4. Hold onto 1 corner in fingers of dominant hand and then place the other 3 corners into fingers of dominant hand (it should look like an upside down parachute)

5. Punch up the "parachute" into your fingers so that it looks like a "scrunchy" used to clean pots

6. Place this "scrunchy" into the center of wound.

7. Pull out ends of gauze sponge to fill in wound bed

8. Apply outer dressings and tape all 4 edges.

9. Label dressing

I was able to make that work for me a few times, and then I could never do it again! LOL. I have really small hands, though, which I suspect was part of my problem.

I think my buddy Redden may have posted a video of the parachute on his CPNE blog, but I'm not sure: http://cpnex.blogspot.com

twisty.pdf

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Specializes in Nursing home, Research, Pulmonary.

when i went to ec workshop mar 08, they said no do not do that method. i guess if you think about it, a rope will not absorb as well all twisted up....so it makes sense not to use it.

gail:d

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.

you're doing a good service nc girl! yep just think loose and fluffy. don't twist. i passed the cpne in november and no one used the twisted rope method. i couldn't get the parachute method to work for me so what i practiced doing and passed with was this: i opened up the gauze all the way, held it out like a diamond, smoothed it out a little, loosely gathered it into my palm, pulled out one corner of the gauze, folded that corner over, nudged that folded part in the littlest corner of the wound, and fed the rest of the gauze into the wound using a pattern that was like flower petals to cover the majority of the wound. the link that lunah gave is a great resource to video demonstrations.

when i went to ec workshop mar 08, they said no do not do that method. i guess if you think about it, a rope will not absorb as well all twisted up....so it makes sense not to use it.

gail:d

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