school days

First week of classes successfully completed. Tuesday was Composition. Yeah, I do have to take it. The course description from my class 12 years ago does not include a research paper. I did a research paper, but it was simply called "an essay." Therefore, I get to take Composition. YAY! My first paper is to write a compare/contrast paper that is 2-4 pages long. Ok, what do I WANT to write about. Well, I don't like to write, so nothing really, but I have to do the assignment. I think I have narrowed it down to comparing the differences of starting my vet tech program and starting my MA program. If only I had seen NKOTB when I was a kid, I could compare them then and now...but alas, I did not.

Wed I have Intro to Patient Care Sciences. Last night we watched a video on how to take vitals. The video was very cheesy, but I guess it made its points. We then were shown and practiced taking Temperatures and height at weight. FYI, for most visits to your clinic, you are not required to be weighed. For weight related illnesses you are, things such as diabetes, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, etc...you need to be weighed. For pregnant lady exams, yup, gotta be weighed. For your annual physical you have to be weighed. If you haven't been in for over a year, you gotta be weighed. Other than that...if you go in for a cold, nope. And then next month you have a sore shoulder, nope. You can kindly decline to be weighed at those visits. :)

Back to what I learned. We practiced taking temperatures in 3 places: oral, axillary, and tympanic (or aural). We were told that rectal temperatures can be taken, but that was the extent of that route. I do have a fair amount of practice taking rectal temps, however, it is on dogs and cats, and I somehow think that is a bit different.

I have homework in both classes. I plan to get started on it this morning so I can make sure I am finished and don't have to work on things last minute. :)