Short day! Only a few hours, but it included an quiz. Which wasn't terrible at all, actually! Following a brief quiz, half of the class went into the lab for more skill learning, and the other half stayed to watch movies about the consequences of being bedridden and what happens with patients aren't able to move or aren't moved (i.e. pressure ulcers, muscular atrophy, etc.). I was in the half that stayed and watched movies. Halfway through the remaining class time, the groups switched. I got a new lab partner temporarily, so we got to practice helping each other walk with the gait belt, catching the other who falls (ease them to the floor).
We also practiced doing transfers from one bed to another with a transfer board. Oddly enough, it seems there were two opinions about how to use a transfer board. Our lab content DVD told us to use it as a bridge, but one of our professors told us to use the board to slide the patient. The latter makes more sense; the plastic will slide a lot better over sheets than trying to use it as a bridge. Either way, we create friction trying to drag the patient, but it seems overall it would be easier to use the board to decrease effort. We used the biggest guy in class (I would say maybe 6'0", 230 pounds, muscular, Army-type) to transfer, and he said it was good fun getting slid about.
Then, we had our very petite professor (maybe 5'0", 100 pounds) show us how to help a patient to the floor with the gait belt, using the Army-type guy, which was interesting to watch. I shouldn't laugh, because she did a great job: she did exactly what she was supposed to: help the patient slide to the floor and prevent a head injury. But, to do so, she also found her way to the floor. She was a good sport about it, and it was a good lesson that no matter the size difference between you and your patient, you can do it (although she recommended not having such a huge size difference or having another nurse assist if there is a great size difference).
The other things we did were to practice putting bed pans in place and removing them, bed-to-chair transfers, chair-to-bed transfers, and practiced with the Hoyer lift. It was a pretty good day in lab; there was quite a bit to learn and getting to practice with a walker and a cane and falling really gives a good insight for what it would be like as a patient, which can give a nurse good insight on what to say and how best to help. Oh, and I'm getting really good at taking vitals! I'm excited for my check-off, because I've got a pretty fluid system on how to do it in the shortest amount of time and without harassing the patient too much!
I then went home at noon and proceeded directly to bed and slept for six hours. I have a great immune system: it keeps me well until weekends! To be honest, I have been very stressed out, which definitely weakens the immune system. So, after six hours of sleep, I was up for another few, and then slept for another eight! My next post will go over the weekend!
Week 2 complete; only 15 more until Christmas break!
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