Seventh Day

The lady reported feeling like crap because her blood pressure meds were doubled. But she wasn't worried anymore, so that's good. She looked good.

We learned about diabetic emergencies like ketoacidosis, diabetic coma, and insulin shock. We also covered anaphylaxis again...not sure why.

We did two assessments in front of the class. The first was fine, it ended badly only because the guy lacked confidence and took too long. The second assessment was an awkward mess. The guy was one of those guys who has an heir of "I'm too good for this.". I thought maybe I was just imagining it and judging a book by it's cover, but he proved me right.

They were simulating insulin shock. The AEMT aide was the patient (acting extremely disoriented), the teacher was his roommate, and the med student aide was the patient's brother. The EMT student started out mostly fine, save for a very $hi**y rapport with the "roommate" and "brother". He also assessed pulmonary unnecessarily and way too early - a critical fail (though he was the second guy to do it that day).  **Update: I saw a YouTube video on assessments, and it was demonstrated the same way. Maybe they're doing it right?**

Then, the diabetic patient got up and started walking off out of the room, and the EMT student basically let him. He went after him, only to come back saying he gives up and sitting down like a puss. There was an awkward pause as the class collectively tried to decide the validity of his entirely-uncalled-for claim. Sho 'nuff.

So his friend finished it for him - deciding to give the patient insulin for his glucose reading of 40. This would kill the patient by lowering his already-low glucose. It would've been a critical fail for ordering a dangerous treatment were it not for the annoying guy behind me who insists on answering every time someone asks the teacher a question.

This was especially irritating because they specifically said before the simulation NOT to help. He just wants to look good and show off the fact that he was once certified. We get it. But I know I didn't pay the teacher $1,000 for your instruction.

Later on, he tried answering one of my questions about handling a disoriented patient. There is such a thing as battery and unlawful detainment, after all. When is it okay to stand in front of a patient to prevent them from leaving? When is it okay to put your hands on them? How do you put your hands on them?

I digress. That guy gave it away, trying to show off, and the EMT student fixed his answer - thus learning nothing.

Kind of obnoxious day, but otherwise nice. Not bad at all.