Which parts of A&P to review?

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I am starting nursing school in June. I want to use the time I have left to review my A&P. Which parts would you say are most important and I'll be referring to most often during nursing school? I want to prioritize on what I'll need the most. Circulatory system? Respiration? Acid-base and electrolytes?

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I have a sis in Process 2, another sis starting in aug and I hope to start in Jan. Based on their experience and my research, u should review:

1 12 cranial nerves- where they are and what they do- ie optic, aducens, vestibulear etc You will need for health assessment

2. Where the radial, ulner, carotid, intercoastal ribs, eg 2nd 5th, fibula, facial large bones eg maximilla, zygomatic, for health assessment. These just merit a basic review. all of this will be need for health assessment. I strongly recommend doing a search on Youtube for the 6th part health assessment video series done by 2 nurses from Johns Hopkings and Duke University School of Nursing. It is well done and if you view these 6 parts (abou 10mins each) about 3 times you should be familiar so that when you start process 1, Health assessment isn't a complete shock to you.

Dosage Calc- if you are good at basic math, you shouldn't have a problem. However, if you are anal like me and want to have a jump or familiarity with subjects while waiting for school to start, do a search on this site for math for nurses or dosage calc and you should come up with lots of threads with info on conversions, how to set up problems etc.

3. For Pharm if you want to, you can start to review how medicine is given i.e IV = by IV, IM= via muscle, PO = by mouth, id, the 5 rights of how to give medicine i.e check name, medicine, dosage etc - there is a method of what to check.

4. the movements ie extension, etc This is the part in the chapter in AP1 that I didn't have time to study but my sis said at her school, they had to know it. I forgot what this part of study is called but it has to do with the way the body moves/is extended etc

5. What school are you going to? If HCC or BC in florida, they use Perry and Potter and most seem to review the history of nursing, ethics, handwashing techniques (lots of videos on youtube) etc.

This should give you a start.

Good luck.

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Specializes in CTICU.

I'd save it for school and enjoy yourself now while you can!

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Me, personally, I would review if you have nothing to do until May. Spending a few moments reviewing key concepts such as antomy, health assessment during down time will make things a bit more accessible when school does start. My sis classed stared with almost 90 students at South. They are now down to 64 at the beginning of Process 2 and that does not include the 10 or so who flunked math for the 2nd time last week. They will not be able to do Process 2 inclinicals and will have to retract.

I figure at this rate, they will have less than 50 students when med-surge starts in August...not to scare you but when you throw Pharmacy, clinicals, busy work, return demos etc into the mix, especially if you plan on working, if you have free time now, it doesn't hurt to review. Just my 2cents.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Thanks, great tips, NewGoalRN--I will review anatomical landmarks and cranial nerves.

For the life of me I can't remember muscles except for the main ones... Even though I got A's in A&P I and II. The tests didn't stress memorization that much... or maybe I got enough of the other stuff right that it didn't hurt me. But if you ask me which muscles are involved in doing x,y or z, I'm blank. How important is it to get that down pat before nursing school?

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
I'd save it for school and enjoy yourself now while you can!
But I enjoy studying!

:)

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

4. the movements ie extension, etc This is the part in the chapter in AP1 that I didn't have time to study but my sis said at her school, they had to know it. I forgot what this part of study is called but it has to do with the way the body moves/is extended etc

Oh, good. This part I know. Just don't ask me which muscles are involved!
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Hi Chayn, I will ask my sis but I don't recall her stressing nerves. She mentioned the cranial nerve, range of motion(Somewhat), dosage calc/nursing math, general review of ap but nothing heavy- just know where your radial, ulnar arteries/viens are, corotid artery, intercoastal vertebraes, major facial muscles, sternum,heart, lungs- just generalities, breathing sounds.

Regarding eletrolytes, I wouldn't spend time on that now. You wont get into that in Process1. What school are you attending? I looked at these youtubes on health assessment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvU3-ZN_VjE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGf8NvqoTNs&feature=related

If you like studying, you can look at handwashing techniques, how to put on a glove, etc Basic pharmacy. You sound like me. there is nothing wrong with people who want to do nothing and relax before school but there is also nothing wrong with folks who want to use their time and get a jump on reviewing things.

Good luck.

p.s my sister says that the program is doable but alot of busy work, a lot of self study. One has to be self motivated, highly organized and willing to put other things on the backburner to put nursing first or almost first.

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