Using an Interactive Protocol as a Preceptors’ Assistant to Teach Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation, by Robert Demers, BS, RRT, of Demers Consulting Services, Inc.
Experienced RCPs are usually well-versed in the task of Arterial Blood Gas ("ABG") interpretation themselves. Because of this, they’re often tapped to train Respiratory Care, Nursing, and Medical students, as well as junior staff members, in the intricacies of this vital
clinical skill.
This module develops and describes powerful protocol-based techniques, as well as
computer-linked tools, to make the task of clinical training easier for senior preceptors. By using
this module as a “Preceptors’ Assistant”, senior instructors will be able to teach junior staff
members how to interpet literally any ABG report that they encounter as: uncompensated or
partially compensated or completely compensated; respiratory or metabolic or mixed; acidemia or
alkalemia. The “mind maps” provided in this module teach the student HOW to think, instead or
merely showing that student WHAT to think. This transforms the task of ABG interpretation from
a burdensome task requiring brute memory to an intellectual exercise that engages the clinician’s
cognitive and judgemental capabilities.
The student will acquire the skill of ABG interpretation
painlessly, such that s/he will be able, in very short order, to perform ABG interpretation in the
absence of any graphic or electronic adjuncts whatsoever. What better way to assess and
document a crucially important competency that is a fundamental component of the skills
inventory of any ICU caregiver?
A post-test is available for this module, at an additional charge, that is accredited by the California Board of Registered Nurses for 3.0 RCP credit hours and 3.6 RN credit hours. Through reciprocity, these credits are recognized throughout the US. Contact Demers Consulting Services (BobDemers@aol.com) for information.
System Requirements
CD contains Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files and the Adobe Acrobat Reader, for Windows and Macintosh platforms.
Windows® System Requirements: 386, 486, or Pentium ® processor; Windows 3.1, 95, or NT 3.51 or later Operating System; 8 MB of RAM (16 MB for Windows NT); CD-ROM drive; 650 MB of available hard-drive space (if you choose to install it on your hard drive); Adobe Acrobat Reader (included).
Recommended: Pentium processor or later; Windows 95/NT or later; 16 MB of RAM (24 for Windows NT).
Mac ® System Requirements 68020 or PowerPC processor; 3.5 MB of RAM (5 MB for PowerPC); System Software version 7.0 or later; CD-ROM drive; 650 MB of available hard-drive space (if you choose to install it on your hard drive); Adobe Acrobat Reader (included).
Recommended: PowerPC or later; 16 MB of RAM; System Software version 7.1.2 or later.
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