Bed Number Ten

For the past few months I have been reading an extraordinary and compelling novel named Bed Number Ten. This novel was written by a former patient who turned into an author to fulfill the purpose of sharing her life changing story with the world. Author Sue Baier and publishers Taylor & Francis first released this amazing story back in 1989.

The book begins with Sue living her everyday life, then it soon takes a drastic turn, her toes begin to tingle. She made nothing of it at first but it would stop, so in a desperate search for answers she goes to the hospital. After a few tests at the hospital they come to a diagnosis, Sue has a rare terminal illness called Guillain-Barre disease. The rest of the story goes into depth about her experience and recovery as a patient all taking place in bed number 10. It is truly a great and easy read, definitely recommending it to everybody.

A.E.D. The Automated Lifesaver

An automated external defibrillator A.E.D. is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and sends an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm from a baseline. AEDs are used to treat cardiac arrest which usually causes death if it's not treated within minutes. In fact, each minute of CA leads to a 10 percent reduction in survival. Using an AED on a person who is having CA may save the person's life but should be used as soon as possible.

1. Confirm cardiac arrest then if the victim is unable to respond and there is no breathing, tilt back the head and lifting the chin up

2. Turn On A.E.D.

3. Plug in wires next to a flashing light

4. Apply pads to the victim's bare chest

5. Allow A.E.D. to analyze heart rhythm

6. If any shock is indicated then push the shock button

7. If shock advised stand clear and do not touch the victim

8. If victim is still not breathing begin CPR

Blog 10: Working EQ

Content

1.I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

Essential Question
Once a topic is chosen, the student will develop a working essential question. The purpose of the working essential question is to help the student build a strong foundation of research which will allow him or her to create an essential question that encourages depth and rigor in the chosen topic. An essential question must:

Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
Take a stance (It allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

2. Review the following EQs and

Tell us if each meets the rule of three.
Tell why they do or don't.

a. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

• Framework: Not a yes or no question. Provides framework for studies.
• Stance: It allows for an argument.
• Format: It is specific and makes sense.

b. What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

• Framework: Not a yes or no question. Provides framework for studies.
• Stance: Seems as if there is no room for argument or expansion.
• Format: The wording seems a bit odd.

c. What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

• Framework:  The satisfaction of a customer is opinionated. Research may be difficult.
• Stance:  There is room for an argument, although it may be difficult to argue the satisfaction of a customer.
• Format: The questions makes sense. Wording is okay.

d. How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

• Framework: Allows for research and is not a yes or no question.
• Stance: Allows for an argument.
• Format: It is specific enough and is logical.

3. What are the most important steps one must follow when caring for a patient?

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Reflection

Content:

1.Positive Statement (What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?)
Doing this presentation really made me realize how much knowledge I really have in my area of study. This component was less of a presentation and more of a personal test.

2. Questions to Consider

• What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?
• P
• Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.
• I believe that I deserve a P for this presentation is because I was very confident in everything I did throughout the presentation on top of the fact that I met all of the requirements in the contract and even exceeded in some aspects.

3.What worked for you in your Lesson 1?

What really helped me a lot during my presentation was my lesson plan, due to the fact that the presentation had to be tech-less, my lesson plan became my best friend due to the fact that it was an outline of everything i was going to say and do.

4.(What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?
If I were able to go back the only thing that I would fix would be to organization. The lesson plan did help me a lot because it's simply a outline of everything I'm going to do. When I went slightly off track my lesson plan would help me get back on track and continue. So basically organizing myself better would be the only thing that I would fix.

Freeway to a Patients Stomach

The video above is a prime example of how to properly insert a Nasogastric Tube. Throughout the last three weeks we have been going over the meaning, uses, and the "how to" on the NG Tube. Briefly explaining the tube, it is a rubber or plastic tube that is passed through the nose and down through the nasopharynx and esophagus into the stomach. It also has bidirectional potential which allows it to remove contents of the stomach such as air, decompress the stomach, or to remove small solid objects and fluid, from the stomach. An NG tube can also be used to put substances into the stomach, including medication that cannot be swallowed by the patient. So basically an NG tube is a direct line to the patients stomach that can be used for a number of various reasons.

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

What are the most important steps one must follow when caring for a patient?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.

EQ:What are the most important steps one must follow when caring for a patient?

• The given nurse must ensure to provide clear and concise holistic healthcare to the client.
• The nurse  on duty must ensure that she is following the code of ethics correctly.

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

The most important source that I have been using is my Nursing Fundamentals Textbook which was written by Caroline Bunker Rosdahl and Mary T. Kowalski and published in 2008.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you doing mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is Silvia Davila who is a teacher at Hacienda La Puente Adult School for Psychiatric Technicians, and she is also a nurse at BHC in Alhambra. My mentorship consists of another class outside of school. I am learning and studying the same curriculum as the current students in her class. This greatly relates to my working EQ because as a Psych Tech you are responsible for the patients' care as well as the patients safety. Due to the fact that these are the main focuses of a psych tech they have also become the main focus to my working essential question.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

To get your idea approved now, please answer the following questions:

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

For my independent component I plan to attend a CPR and AED class at the Hacienda La Puente Adult School It will take about 20 hours of class time but i plan to fill the extra 10 by getting my Injection Certification at the American Red Cross as well.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

As evidence of my 30 hours I plan to use my BLS (Basic Life Support) textbook and swell as notes that were taken in the class.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

To go more in depth with my topic I plan on continuing my Psychiatric Technician classes. These are real classes that are attended by other students who want to pursue a career in the medical field. Although I am not receiving credit or actually taking the State Board exam, I am still receiving the same curriculum.

4.  Update your Senior Project Hours log.

The new link is posted on my blog.

Extra Blog Post: September

The video above is one of many interesting tasks that were gone over in fundamentals throughout the course of the month of September. It was displayed to the class how to properly insert a Nasal Cannula and Face Mask on a patient. Knowing how to properly apply these tools in a real life scenario is extremely crucial mainly due to the fact that if the process is not done correctly there is a possibility of endangering the patients life. 

Blog 6: Second Interview Preparation

1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?
My mentor is Silvia Davila who works at Hacienda La Puente Adult Education and also at BHC Alhambra hospital.


2. What five questions will you ask them about their background?

• Where did you do your schooling and how was your experience?
• In what areas have you needed to improve on throughout the course of your career?
• Throughout your many years of experience did you ever feel like it was too much for you?
• What is the most stressful part of your career?
• What challenges have you faced throughout your experience as a nurse?
• As charge nurse when on the floor what are your duties?
• Was there a point in life where you wanted to just give up and choose an easier career?
• What was the biggest challenge you face when going to school?

Blog 5: Mentorship Reflection

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship? If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search for a mentor.

My experience when looking for a mentor was quite short, painless, and very resourceful. The reason as to why it was so easy is simply based on the fact that my mentor is my mother. Now I did not go directly to my mom, I had first asked her if she knew anyone that could mentor me or if there were any places that I could mentor at. Then it clicked, she could be my mentor, as i asked her she said that I could be in her Psych Tech class. So as of now I am not actively enrolled but I am studying and testing along with them.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?
The most important article I have read isn't necessarily an article. It is the text book that I have been reading. It is about the basic fundamentals of patient care, the actual textbook that students use where they learn the fundamentals. It has been such a primary source for all of my info because it is full of information such as the history of nursing, the anatomy of the body, and a section on STI's. 

Class Away From I-Poly

On the first week of school I showed the class my textbook that I have been using. The textbook has all of the basic skills and fundamentals that any nurse should have no matter what. But what I didn't talk about was that I'm using that book for an actual Psych Tech class that I am apart of. Since I haven't been able to attend class because I'm still in school, I have been doing the same homework and quizzes as my mentors current students because she posts them on an online class interaction website called Edmodo. 

The book above is the book that I have been using throughout the course of the Psych Tech class.

The image above is a screen shot of the website my mentor uses to post the homework, power points, and quizzes.

Blog 4: Interview Preperation

Content:

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?
I plan on interviewing a woman by the name of Nancy Maldonado because she works as a Psychiatric Technician in an all woman's prison. I plan on interviewing her because she would give me another type of outlook of how it is on the field versus a classroom environment.

2. You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask?

1. What are some of the negatives and positives of being a Psychiatric Technician?
2. What inspired you to become a Psych Tech?
3. What advice would you give to a person wanting to pursue this career in your field?
4. What factors would be a plus when looking for a hiring position?
5. Are there any tasks or duties that you did not anticipate performing when you were hired?
6. If you had to start all over again, would you choose a different career path? Why?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1. List your topic here: Psychiatric Technician

2. What are the most important steps one must follow when caring for a patient?

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship Component

•Literal:

1.Hacienda La Puente (Psychiatric Technicians) Summer Mentorship Hours

2. Contact Name: Silvia Davila
    Occupation: Registered Nurse and Teacher
    Phone: (626) 367-0550

3. When identifying a triage patient what aspect is the most crucial in treating first?
    Why is it important to check the placement of a GTube?
    When caring for a patient with a mental illness what precautions must one take versus if the patient isn't mentally ill?

•Interpretive:

4.What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
The most important piece of knowledge that I gained from mentoring was that Psych Techs are extremely vital to the healthcare society. They are in the front line of patient care serving as the doctors eyes and ears when he is not around, therefore, making them a key piece in today's modern society of healthcare. Often known as the nurse that interacts the most with its patients, I feel like I could really make a mark in peoples lives through having a medical career.

•Applied:

5. What is your senior project topic going to be?  How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.

My senior topic is going to be on Psychiatric Technicians. What I did that really inspired me towards wanting to do it on Psychiatric Technicians was based off of the fact that they help people every single day but not just normal people like you and I, they help people that are in dire need of assistance such as the mentally ill or unstable. Just knowing that I was potentially able to make someones day by simply performing my duty and helping them gives me an over sense of joy.

Blog 1: Senior Presentations

1.  What presentations did you see? Boyd, Jackie-Ski Patrol
Quiroz, Jasmin -Soccer Training
Gallegos, Analysa-Criminology
Velez, Christian-Bodybuilding
Moreno, Symphony -Photography
Peralta, Stacy-Yearbook
Martinez, Ronnie-Coaching Soccer
Flores, Angel-Photography Studio
Arredondo, Angel-Angioplasty
Ontiveros, Beladona-Bakery  Delgado, Madisyn-Culinary Arts
Delgado, Diego-High School Basketball
Murillo, Gabriel-Advertising
Salud, Allyana-Nursing
Cervantes, Luz-Cake Decorating
Vasquez, Christian-Fire Protection

2.   What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.
I do not have any questions.

3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?
There are obviously several aspects to the senior project all of which are extremely important. As for the most important they include: meeting time, projecting your voice, and knowing you topic and as well as your presentation.

4. What topic are you considering
doing and why?
I want to do my topic on psychiatric tech, because I have always had an interest for helping and providing for others in dire need.

5. What are you doing for your summer mentorship?
For my senior mentorship I will be attending a special education high school located in Los Angeles along with a current class of psychiatric technicians, with my mentor as my mothers friend who is a registered nurse but teaches psych tech.