Free Face Rub Anyone?

Today I had the most relaxing moment in a long time. Extra-oral exams are a good way to put the patient to sleep. Have you ever had anyone palpate your supraorbital ridge medial to lateral and then rub your temporalis and slowly palpate to the maxillary sinus, and then back to the masticatory muscle to palpate the parotid gland. After that, check pre-auricular and post-auricular for enlarged lymph nodes, and then feel down the back the neck starting at the base of the occipital bone and down the trapezeus muscles. I was ready to fall asleep by the time my class partner was done.
Here is a Mark moment for you, so while we were going over the practical examination with our instructor, I said, "pre-aereolar" instead of "pre-auricular" Anyone in the biology/healthcare field is definitely laughing right now. Saying this to a female instructor and having only lady classmates. This makes things even more embarrassing, but I had a good laugh.
I'm going to end my post now.
Mark, out.

The Slippery Scaler

So I have come to the realization that this dental hygiene thing is a lot harder to master than I thought. It doesn't help that I don't use the right hand as my dominant. I'm actually starting to ponder the idea of using my right hand as well, it would definitely would make things easier between monday's instructors and I. I don't think my pod would have too much confidence in me to practice if I used my off hand, so it will have to wait until summer I guess.
 Now to get to the point of the title, I realized today that the scaler is very finite and tactile, but I also found my instrument becoming a little slippery over time between my fingers due to the sweat in my nitrile glove. I know with time this skill will become easier and less stressful. I know what you are thinking, "I'm never going to be Mark's patient." I can guarantee you that I won't drop the scaler in the back of your mouth or prick your bums until it's a bloody mess. That's what my classmates are for...Hehe!

Mark, out.

Anyone for Vitals?

After having learned health history, this lab session was a walk in the park. There was actually one of my classmates that was hard to find the pulse on the wrist. I had to switch arms just to find it. Note to self, when all else fails, check on the left arm. One thing about having to count respirations of the patient, it makes great awkward silence. I can't wait for that! Lol. I know, I'm weird. Just don't hold it against me, I really do like to make conversation. Just ask my parents, they used to tell me to shut up, because I talked to much. Can you pronounce this word, "Sphygmomanometer"? I butchered that word the first time trying to say it. I'm not the most proficient at remembering words, but this one I have down. So, the next time you see me, let me know if you can say it correctly. Nothing crazy really happened today, so no great story to write about, so I'm going to end this abruptly.

Mark, out.

Medical History?

 Today was a very detailed clinic lab, health histories. Would never have guessed that this part of patient care and procedure could be so time consuming and detail oriented. I don't ever remember having to fill out a health history questionnaire, sit through a health interview, and tell them every medication I'm currently on. Now don't take this the wrong way, its great that we learn and apply this to our patients here at Weber State University, but it is a lot to learn in one class period. I will say, that if you are healthy and do not take any prescribed medicine, you will not be a burden. My classmate filled out my medical history and was done in 5 minutes! She didn't even have to circle a yes on the medical history questionnaire. Anyway, I know this is going to be a challenge for me down the road, because I have horrible penmanship  and I'm slower than mo louses hand writing. Wish me luck.


Mark, out.