Practicals help!

Re: Practicals help!

Sue Cox — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:17:23 GMT

Hello!

Some people have said to practice with real animals which is definatly important so you can understand which way they are likely to tilt and anatomical landmarks etc but i would suggest to practice with a teddy too as that is what you will get in your exam. They do have strange limbs which is why you should get used to them as the metacarpal bones can look like the radius/ulna, and the femurs are often positioned strange too!

I got a toy off ebay that was a large version of the andrexx puppy!! it had huge ears and feet but was really good to get used to positioning and where wedges should go etc. you can also use them to practice bandaging on!

I agree with the others in that you need to practice with real animals though! so just ask nicely if you can have a go positioning etc and most vets love sharing their knowledge so it shouldnt be a problem!

Good luck!

Re: Practicals help!

Nick Shackleton — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:05:52 GMT

none of our vets position/take radiographs! It's the nurses and interns that do them. Radiography being one of my favourite parts of the job, think it's important that you get to practice your techniques prior to practicals. I had to position for thoracic radiograph for my practicals. I kno you can read about it in books but there is only so much you can gain from them.

Good luck and as Erica has suggested why not ask you head nurse or the vet in charge of a case to allow you to position for the radiograph. At the end of the day if they want you to qualify they should be flexible and allow to learn and practice for your exams

Re: Practicals help!

Erica Huggins — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:57:43 GMT

'Nurse dont do radiography!' hum........

Prehaps if you speak to the vets you can get some practice in setting up and positioning with them, most them are human and will often help; but usually always need promting first.

I agree teddy's are rubbish especially when trying to get cranial/caudual views of limbs.

Re: Practicals help!

Maisy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:03:57 GMT

Hi Michelle,

Do you not do radiography at all? Have you done your radiography cases for portfolio? It is really important that you are practising on a live patient, and not a teddy (the ted they use in the practicals is rubbish anyway as has no joints and weird anatomical structure!!)

You must speak to your practice assessor, or your college about this as you will find it extremely difficult otherwise. I can't believe your practice is not allowing you to do radiography at this level, when are your practicals? There are some good books around on radiography, and the education section of this site has some great information but you need to be confident approaching your practicals on positioning etc.

I hope you manage to get things sorted out.