What did you fail for practicals?

sra

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I'm getting ready to take my practicals for basic. I feel that I am ready, and I have all of the skill sheets memorized. I know me though, and I am nervous that I will forget to do something simple. So here's my question.....if you failed a station at registry, do you remember what you messed up on? I'm just curious to see what other people have done.
 

STXmedic

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What I see failed most commonly:

-Failure to check PMS before or after splinting.

-Failure to check PMS after securing patient on spine board.

-Excessively moving an immobilized patient.

-Not voicing considering C-Spine and directing precautions to be taken if needed.

-Medical assessment in general
-The students that don't have it down well tend to jump around in places and miss steps.

-For BVM of an apneic patient, forgetting to put the patient on oxygen.

I despise proctoring skills. They really aren't difficult though. Don't over-think them and you'll be fine (assuming you are well-practiced). Best of luck.
 

teedubbyaw

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A lot of people in my class failed at any one of the tasks. Some on assessment, some on AED, backboard, etc. It's just a matter of missing a single failure point.

Don't worry too much. If you can regurgitate the sheet, then you'll be fine. The biggest key is to take your time. I saw a lot of people fail a skill and still have 10 minutes left (assessments).
 

dmfinn

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I failed medical and KED.

KED: Make sure that cervical collar is one tight! That's the only thing I messed up.

Medical: Know your physiology, the first time around I hit every single point, but didn't properly diagnos the issue. At least here in CT, if you don't properly identify the NOI, they'll find a way to fail you.
 

Hunter

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I gave nitro without asking about sexual enhancements drugs, had to work a code because of it
 

DrParasite

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when taking my New York EMT practical, I forgot to put O2 on the trauma patient... twice....
 

MidwestEMT

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1st time on my spinal immobilization/LSB practical, I failed due to the C-collar. I was nervous, and the c-collar was across the room, so I couldn't see it, and didn't think about it. I had my partner maintaining C-spine, while putting the PT on the LSB, and then saw the c-collar over by the wall. Talk about the 'Oh crap' moment... So while I didn't fail due to the loss of c-spine control (partner was maintaining), I hit the critical fail of 'performing as a competent professional blah blah blah'. Luckily I was able to re-test the same night and pass completely.

Moral of the story: before you get into the actual pt. care, do a scan and make sure to do a quick scan and see that you have ALL supplies needed, and lay them out where you can see
 
OP
OP
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sra

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I passed them all!!!! I was very nervous and thought I bombed trauma but I passed. For medical here we don't have to diagnose the problem. Its given in the scenario. For trauma I thought I forgot to say a few simple things but apparently I did say it!
 

teedubbyaw

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You have to diagnose? That's silly. You aren't a doctor. BLS emphasizes that we aren't there to diagnose. Effective/safe treatment and transport decisions is how we were graded.
 

STXmedic

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You have to diagnose? That's silly. You aren't a doctor. BLS emphasizes that we aren't there to diagnose. Effective/safe treatment and transport decisions is how we were graded.

You make it sound like diagnosing is some big, advanced, delicate procedure only to be attempted by physicians.
 

retarmyeng06

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Quoted PoeticInJustice -

-Failure to check PMS before or after splinting. (THIS)

-Failure to check PMS after securing patient on spine board.
-Excessively moving an immobilized patient.
-Not voicing considering C-Spine and directing precautions to be taken if needed.

-Medical assessment in general

-The students that don't have it down well tend to jump around in places and miss steps. ( and THIS)

-For BVM of an apneic patient, forgetting to put the patient on oxygen.

I despise proctoring skills. They really aren't difficult though. Don't over-think them and you'll be fine (<<<<Important point) (assuming you are well-practiced). Best of luck.[/QUOTE]
 
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JPINFV

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I gave nitro without asking about sexual enhancements drugs, had to work a code because of it


I swear... if I ever run a cardiac assessment station, every patient will be on Revatio.
 

lightsandsirens5

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You have to diagnose? That's silly. You aren't a doctor. BLS emphasizes that we aren't there to diagnose. Effective/safe treatment and transport decisions is how we were graded.


You better darn well diagnose. How else are you supposed to decide treatment? Without a diagnosis, there is no difference between having a human and a monkey in the back. Any time you give a treatment you are giving it based off of your diagnosis of the situation. At least you should be....

Now to answer the OP....


I failed a few basic stations for not verbalizing enough, according to the evaluator. So when I went to retest, I just gave then the old diarrhea of the mouth thing and did fine.

The way we test in EMS is lame. So totally unrealistic.

The further into this job I get, the more I wish we had education standards at last double what they are now....
 

medictinysc

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I failed oral boards. I retested and completely blanked on my third attempt at a completely different testing facility a proctor who didn't know me. Sat down didn't read the standard cue cards said " this station is for me to judge whether or not you know how to be a paramedic. You get dispatched to cardiac arrest. Go". I felt more comfortable with the last proctor than I did through the whole testing scenarios because the last one didn't attempt to fail me
 

ShortStuff

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I passed all my stations on my first attempt. I studied my sheets like crazy throughout my class and especially leading up to the end. Myself and 3 other classmates went to our ambulance service and practiced on nights and weekends (in edition to our hands-on instruction in class) two weeks leading up to our practical examinations. That is the best advice I can give is to study those skills sheets.
 
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rwik123

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Just took my AEMT practical today. Failed back boarding cause I reversed one of the head blocks to the slanted size. I'm a bit peeved. Oh well
 

matthewspear

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You have to diagnose? That's silly. You aren't a doctor. BLS emphasizes that we aren't there to diagnose. Effective/safe treatment and transport decisions is how we were graded.


I agree/disagree. Any honest nurse will tell you that BLS/ALS are some of the best diagnosticians around because we handle the body as it relates to emergency situations. Sure, we're not doctors. But we have a well-equipped understanding of basic human functions and know how to think critically regarding a PT's condition.
 

ardsranger

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Passed all my stations first time but
Almost for got to BSI one of them.
I said I would put on BSI just as i started to touch patient and they let it go.
I did not touch them yet.
 
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