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Does anyone know of a website you can go to listen to the sounds you hear while taking a blood pressure? How about for a normal cardiac exam?
Originally posted by Medic171:
•I mean no disrespect, but are there really people in medical school that have never taken or do not know how to take a blood pressure(i.e. not familiar with the sounds)?
I mean granted, as a paramedic I may have a little more clinical type experience than some pre-clinical med students, but I learned to take blood pressures in health occupations class in high school back in 1992. It just seems like a gimme that BP, pulse, breath sounds, cpr, and basic airway stuff is known by all med students, but I am not there yet so I do not know.
Again, no disrespect or attitute, I am just asking and clarifying my preconseption.•••
Your assumptions are wrong. While it is true many medical students have some sort of clinical training prior to entering med school, the majority do not. Most don't know how to take a blood pressure. They will learn it adequately in med school. It is not a prerequisite for entrance to med school, nor should it be. Thankfully the clinical training is long and arduous, sufficient to impart expert clinical skills.
I wouldn't harp on your skills. While it is true that medics have basic understanding of bp monitoring, I would venture to say the majority do not take it properly. This comes from a wealth of experience working directly with, and training medics. The med student will eventually learn this skill in deft fashion, and be able to apply this clinical skill in context.