Cath Lab Digest - November 2007 - (Page 41)

41 Where Do I Start with a Hemodynamics Review? The information provided in the beginning of this article can also be applied to preparing yourself for the hemodynamics questions on the exam. There are many books that can be recommended, but without “seeing” the information and working with it in an interactive manner, it can be hard to pick it up, especially if you are not performing these procedures every day in the lab. One example of a recently published useful resource is the hemodynamics article series written by Jon Jenkins RN, RCIS, in various 2007 issues of Cath Lab Digest: Hemodynamics is a 12-Letter Word! An intro to the basics. Part I: Basics with Wiggers (March 2007): http://cathlabdigest.com/article/6928 Part II: Normal Values/Waveforms and Attention-getters (May 2007): http://cathlabdigest.com/article/7232 Part III: Stenosis and regurgitation (July 2007): http://cathlabdigest.com/article/7511 These are simple, basic and to the point. Each article highlights what you need to know not only to perform your job, but also to prepare for the examination. I strongly believe that the very first step in familiarizing yourself with hemodynamics is to have a solid grasp of anatomy. You should challenge yourself to know the flow of blood through the body, including the chambers of the heart and valves that the blood flows through. You should be able to recite this flow starting from anywhere in the body until you return back to where you started. Until you are able to do this, you will likely always struggle with waveform identification and pathology of abnormalities. Learners post their progress on assignments and interact with other learners through the discussion boards. A “snippet” from a recent Virtual Class session. More information about this class can be obtained at http://www.rcisreview.com/SCConlineRCISreview.html, or by emailing tginapp@rcisreview.com. learner to the areas where they need to concentrate their studies. If you come away from the review session thinking you are still not ready or you are the type of person who needs a structured direction for studying over a period of time, you could also participate in an online RCIS Review program, such as the one I facilitate through Spokane Community College. This continuing education program requires the use of the Wes Todd CD. There are required weekly assignments, as well as weekly interactive discussions through a discussion board. There are also weekly A useful tool for this study is available at: www.blaufuss.org/tutorial/#. “Virtual Classes” that allow real-time interaction with the instructor and other students. These classes are broken down into two parts (able to be taken in either order) and are offered in concurrent 11-week quarters to make one semester. Some of you may have to take a basic science examination as a precursor to obtaining your RCIS credential. Most individuals with a nursing degree or who have graduated from an accredited CVT program will be exempt from this requirement. You will have to work with CCI to determine your eligibility of exemption. If you must take the basic science exam, http://cathlabdigest.com/article/6928 http://cathlabdigest.com/article/7232 http://cathlabdigest.com/article/7511 http://www.rcisreview.com/SCConlineRCISreview.html, http://www.blaufuss.org/tutorial/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cath Lab Digest - November 2007

Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute Treating Patients with Complex Vascular Disease with a Multi-Disciplinary Approach Improving Patient Compliance with Antiplatelet Medications Clinical Editor’s Corner Cath Lab Nurse/Tech Vascular Access and Closure Using the StarClose® Device The Clinical and Economic Impact of Measuring Fractional Flow Reserve FFR and Choosing an Optimal Revascularization Strategy Finally! The New Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) Credential Use of a Mobile Lab to ‘Test the Waters’ at a Rural Hospital Remembering a Cardiac Cath Lab History ACVP• Membership Page What Do You Think? The Ten-Minute Interview with… Ernie Livingston, RN, BSN SICP* Chapter Updates Who’s in Charge? Working to Eliminate Bottlenecks: Florida Hospital’s Cardiac Cath Lab Achieves Greater Efficiency and Higher Satisfaction Preserving Left Ventricular Function during Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Ask the Clinical Instructor: A Q&A Column for Those New to the Cath Lab Making the Most of Your First Impression: Interviewing Tips and Techniques CEU Education Center Clinical & Industry News Meetings Calendar

Cath Lab Digest - November 2007

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