I can't believe I am 5 weeks into this 12 week semester. Flying!
Last week we were introduced to cardiac murmurs and lung sounds. Our professors have this ancient machine, okay if you consider the 90's ancient. This old piece of machinery attempts to replicate heart sounds. I would include lung sounds, but those were recorded on a cassette tape, yes a cassette and then transmitted. We all had to wear this semi-stethoscope, instead of having a bell and diaphragm it contained a transmission box. This box hung from the ear piece weighing approximately 20 pounds, okay not so much, but my ears would agree.
Anyways, six of us entered the room at a time. We placed the weighted semi-stethoscope in our ears and then our professor would present a sound. After fighting for a proper position for a clear transmission I was able to jump through this test.
You know your in PA school when you google images of currant jelly stool...Intussusception. (Ya, I dare you...)
Week gap...It is now 6 weeks! Half way through the summer semester! The best way to describe it, intermittent lectors with exam fillers. Lately, each week has consisted of either 2 or 3 tests. Though, because of the numerous exams we will finish behavioral medicine a few weeks early!!! Yes! Don't get me wrong, psychological disorders are interesting, but to incorporate it as a mainstay...no thanks.
Now, about these lecturers, most of our classes this semester are taught by guests. It is interesting to have a variety of educational methods, but we have had a few with less than understandable accents. And some with a good sense of entertainment and humor. Others, I would have rather poured tabasco sauce in my eyes!
On that note, a few of us ventured to the local hospital for a laboratory tour. I personally thought it was going to be a boring blood work tour. (Man, don't I sound like a pessimist during this post) It ended up being extremely interesting. In fact, a pathologist assistant described her job. She works closely with the OR docs in determining margin edges and cancer types. For instance, the surgeon had just delivered a section of the sigmoid and rectum of a present patient (Fresh/hot of the press). The cancer had not only thickened in some parts of the lower colon, but the disease had also eaten through the walls. This allows feces to enter the peritoneal space and cause toxicity of the surrounding tissues and a lot of pain to the patient. So, her job is to take thin layers of the resected tissue --> biopsy and inform the doctors on whether they removed all the diseased tissued and the type of disease.
Sorry about the graphic picture, but this is how it looked:
She also displayed a number of different diseased portions of body parts from previous autopsies and surgeries. Everything from lung cancer, gallstones and 18 week old twin fetuses.
Anyways, six of us entered the room at a time. We placed the weighted semi-stethoscope in our ears and then our professor would present a sound. After fighting for a proper position for a clear transmission I was able to jump through this test.
You know your in PA school when you google images of currant jelly stool...Intussusception. (Ya, I dare you...)
Week gap...It is now 6 weeks! Half way through the summer semester! The best way to describe it, intermittent lectors with exam fillers. Lately, each week has consisted of either 2 or 3 tests. Though, because of the numerous exams we will finish behavioral medicine a few weeks early!!! Yes! Don't get me wrong, psychological disorders are interesting, but to incorporate it as a mainstay...no thanks.
Now, about these lecturers, most of our classes this semester are taught by guests. It is interesting to have a variety of educational methods, but we have had a few with less than understandable accents. And some with a good sense of entertainment and humor. Others, I would have rather poured tabasco sauce in my eyes!
On that note, a few of us ventured to the local hospital for a laboratory tour. I personally thought it was going to be a boring blood work tour. (Man, don't I sound like a pessimist during this post) It ended up being extremely interesting. In fact, a pathologist assistant described her job. She works closely with the OR docs in determining margin edges and cancer types. For instance, the surgeon had just delivered a section of the sigmoid and rectum of a present patient (Fresh/hot of the press). The cancer had not only thickened in some parts of the lower colon, but the disease had also eaten through the walls. This allows feces to enter the peritoneal space and cause toxicity of the surrounding tissues and a lot of pain to the patient. So, her job is to take thin layers of the resected tissue --> biopsy and inform the doctors on whether they removed all the diseased tissued and the type of disease.
Sorry about the graphic picture, but this is how it looked:
She also displayed a number of different diseased portions of body parts from previous autopsies and surgeries. Everything from lung cancer, gallstones and 18 week old twin fetuses.
OH MY!! I'm glad its you looking at that.