Pediatrics

Hello everyone!!! Thank God, I had an early night! Got to blog a bit about what I've been up to for the past one week. YES! It's already been one week that I've been posted to the Pediatrics ward. And how do I feel? ... erm... so far so good. I think I'm becoming more and more heartless each day. Hihi. I know I sound mean, but I am just not bothered to think about what they feel and just want to get my job done, and make him/her better quickly.


Earlier this week, I remember feeling sorry for the babies that I had to 'poke' needles into them, but now, I no longer feel the same. It's better that way so that I can concentrate on setting the IV line. Different ages have different challenges. The smaller the baby is, the more challenging it is to find the vein, but, they don't move a lot so it's easier to control the needles. The bigger ones have bigger veins so it's relatively easier but they are much more stronger, so they move!

Examining them is becoming more doable and easier. With children, you just cannot examine them like examining adults. We have to cater them, and not them listening to our instructions. If they don't want you to touch them, don't ever touch them or you'll waste minutes trying to console them and not find any lung findings. So you cannot do examination step by step according to the scheme. I got a very good tip from one of my MO, she said that start from far, like the respiratory rate, what color is the face, is he/she active... and later, get acquainted with them, let them play with stethoscope etc... before they start crying, quickly look for the lung findings. When they start crying... look at their throat, find any enlarged tonsils, then their ears. Nice, right?

Ok.. I have a lot to say but if I go on, I'll feel sleepy to get up. I plan to get up at 5 am tomorrow and study. Yes, you do have to study although you're working. I need to refresh my knowledge on pediatrics!!!

This is one of my favourite patient, before she was discharged. Known as Aira... really cute and cheerful! Oh gosh, I miss her but I am glad she got better. :)