Rn Refresher Course Review Volume II

Volume II


The module tests are mailed to the university. There is a two week wait period before you hear back. However, I am impatient and I am doing more modules so I can mail the next batch of tests as soon as I get the feedback on the test results. Because I am out of work I am stressed. Working on the modules and doing the tests takes my mind off the fact that people are not beating my door down with job offers. I feel like my future is out of my control. But I can lose myself in this busy work and not worry about my lack of employment. I feel like I am doing something to help myself to secure future job opportunities by increasing my marketable skills.

The modules are getting more challenging. I am using the internet to look things up. I am also referencing the University library. Many of the reference links in the documents no longer work. I have to hunt to find the reference material mentioned in the modules. The broken or outdated links are because the on line version of the course will be released soon and the hard copies have not been updated. Invalid links are a little painful but I would prefer to have the hardcopy of the manuals. I am still happy that I did not wait for the on line version. My laptop is out of commission so I would have to work at the desktop computer for long periods if I did not have the hard copy.

Module 6 is actually the last module in Volume I. I did not discuss this module earlier because I did not include the module in my first submission. Module 6 introduces nurse and patient safety. The number of deaths from medical errors is staggering. I want to learn safety measures that I can implement to protect my patients and myself. I do not want to be a statistic. In an effort to reduce medication errors, abbreviations are discouraged. A person’s writing is often difficult to read. For example the handwritten U (unit) could be misread as a zero (0) or the number four (4). MSO4 could be interpreted as Morphine or Magnesium Sulfate. Entering orders on line and avoiding abbreviations help reduce reading and interpreting orders incorrectly. Most medical schools and the associated hospitals in the United States are in the process of developing Hospital Information Systems (HIS). I hope that the hospital where I will work will have a HIS system where medical doctors can enter their orders. I do have a terrible time trying to read hand written orders and I frequently have to call the doctor to get orders clarified.

Volume II starts with module 7, Pharmacotherapy. This module also has a nice section on Blood type. The blood typing is explained well. The pharmacotherapy section divides drugs into classes or categories. Categories include things like Anti-Influenza (very timely since we are into the flu season), Antiviral (non-HIV) such as Anti-Herpes and HIV Antiviral (sexually transmitted disease information is very important today). Precautions, side effects and administration of each class of medication are introduced. Obviously additional just in time reference information will need to be consulted when preparing for medication administration.

Module 8 is Medication Administration. I know! You are thinking, there are a lot of modules on medication. I agree but administering medications is a big responsibility. The patient’s Six Rights are reviewed. I thought there were Five Rights but it seems another Right has been added, Right Documentation. The Six Rights are: 1) right client, 2) right medication, 3) right dose, 4) right route, 5) right time and 6) right documentation (documentation is to be done immediately are administering the dose). The Medication Administration Record (MAR) is an online system for medication administration. I am looking forward to checking this out. I not familiar with the system but I am looking forward to experiencing it.

Module 8 is the end of the medication modules. Module 9 changes the topic to Fluid and Electrolytes. I will pick up with module 9 in my next post.