Blog #10|: Senior Project Update

(1) What are you currently doing in your independent component? 
             
           Mentorship in the ER and getting extra volunteer hours. Taking a Chemistry class at Cal Poly.

(2) What is a recent piece of research (article, interview, or audio-visual) that have you reviewed you would say was significant in helping you understand where to go next in your senior project?  The piece of research should be something you reviewed in November.  Please explain what you learned and where are you going next because of this piece of research.

               Some time in the middle of November I ran into a Cardiothoracic surgeon while on a visit to my great grandmother in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) at the Arcadia Methodist Hospital.  I was only able to talk to her for a few minutes, but I plan to contact her again and have a more formal interview. Her name is Dr. Suzy Liu. When I first met her I was able to ask her what it's like working with an Anesthesiologist and how important an Anesthesiologists' role is to the success of any surgical procedure. She really emphasized the importance and how absolutely imperative it is for a patient to be properly sedated before surgery. This brief encounter with Dr. Suzy Liu really encouraged me to keep on doing research and contacting more professionals in the surgical field. I also asked her some things about the Anesthesiologist she works with. So, the next time I interview her I plan to try and ask her if I can also meet the Anesthesiologist(s) she works with. 


(3) Provide evidence from your independent component or the piece of research as something you recently did.  For example, a photo of something you working on for your independent component or your notes from the video you watched. 

(Refer to previous blog post) :D 

Independent Component

Sanitation gear I had to wear before dealing with highly contagious patients or to prevent from contaminating patients with my own germs. 

Blog #5b.|: Science Fair Proposal

1. What is your topic?: Obstetrical Anesthesiology 


2. What is the driving problem behind your experiment and the quote by an expert to support that problem? (Expert citation must be MLA format.)

Exposure to Anesthesia at a young age may be linked to altered academic performance during childhood. 

Block, Robert I., Ph.D., Joss J. Thomas, M.D., Emine O. Bayman, Ph.D., James Y. Choi, M.D., Karolie K. Kimble, RN, B.A., and Michael M. Todd, M.D. "Are Anesthesia and Surgery during Infancy Associated with Altered Academic Performance during Childhood?" Anesthesiology. American Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc., Sept. 2012. Web. 06 Sept. 2012.

3. What is your hypothesis? (Must be in If-Then form.)

If a woman in labor gives birth under the use of general anesthesia then the risk of her child being born with learning disabilities or defects increases.




4. Write a paragraph summary of how you will perform the experiment.  Include the tools you plan on using.



I plan to gather data from hospital records about women who have given birth with the aid of anesthesia and look what types of anesthetics were used. Afterwards I will look for any data that shows that their children may have learning defects and see if there is a correlation. 

5. Select one of the following Project Categories for your experiment:

Pharmacology 

Blog #9|: Working EQ and Possible Answers

1. EQ: How can an Anesthesiologist make their patients most comfortable in order to insure the execution of a successful surgical procedure?

2. I actually revised my EQ during my presentation while I was starting to gather and organize my information. My original EQ was What is the most efficient way to administer Anesthesia?

3. Possible answers to my working EQ:

• follow up with the patient as much as possible by monitoring the patient before, during and after surgery
• make sure to know the patient's medical history so the anesthesiologist can select the right anesthetic and/or sedative to use taking into consideration beforehand any possible health issues/contraindications that may cause complications when the anesthesia is administered.  

Blog #8|: Rough Draft of Presentation 1

10 Minute Presentation Contract

10 Minute Presentation

Prepared By: Zhailah Graza

House: West

Working EQ: What is the most efficient way to administer anesthesia?

Objectives (Specify skills/information that will be learned.): What is anesthesia?;Brief history of anesthesia, how it works, how it is administered, uses and risks.

	Guide	Time
Introduction	Stage presence is important!  In a few simple sentences, introduce yourself and your presentation objectives.	30 sec.	Hello, my name is Zhailah Graza and today I will be presenting on ‘What is Anesthesia’. I will go over a brief history of anesthesia, I will talk about  different forms of anesthesia and how they work, how it is administered, and the uses and risks of anesthesia.
Verification (Steps to check for student understanding)	Beginning of Presentation: What specific question will you ask the students about what they already know regarding the topic you will be teaching? End: Check for understanding by…	1 min	By a show of hands, how many of you have heard of anesthesia and have a rough idea about what it is ? Then I’ll ask random students to tell me  what they think anesthesia is.

Body (Give and/or demonstrate necessary information)

Break down what you plan on talking about into manageable sections. Literal: Facts you have learned Interpretive: Most important source to help you learn the facts and why Applied: Discussion of how what you are presenting on is the foundation of your working EQ/topic

Literal: 3 min 30 sec. Interp: 1 min Applied: 1 min

Literal: Start with how anesthesia became to be known as a medical sedative and the how it developed over time. For example, founders of its medical potential (Gardner Quincy Colton, Horace Wells, etc. ) Interpretive: Important Source 1: ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) gave me information on everything I need to know about how anesthesia is administered in various departments such as pediatrics, obstetrics, etc. The chemical makeup of anesthetics. Applied: What is anesthesia is the foundationdation of my EQ because it simply defines the basics of anesthesiology. Visuals: - My EQ - Possibly some empty plastic syringes/ gas masks to help me explain  how anesthesia is administered (that’s if I can get some)

Activity (Describe the independent activity to reinforce this lesson)

No Activity for this Presentation

x min

Materials (for activity) No Activity

Conclusion

Exiting the stage is just as important as entering it!  How will you depart the stage?

x min

Blog #7|: Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

 1. For the Independent Study Component I plan to continue mentorship and accrue volunteer hours in the ER; observing procedures performed by the nurses, running errands for the nurses and assisting patients.

2. Not only will I complete the 30 hour work requirement I will most likely end up doing additional hours. For example if I work once a week for 4 hours until the due date of the component I will have accumulated this many hours: ~ 64 hours.

3. My working EQ is "What is the best way to administer anesthesia?" While working in the ER often times nurse anesthetists and/or doctors will run into a situation where a patient will need to be put under right away; facing crucial life or death predicaments. I think I will be able to learn a lot just by observing the nurses/doctors when they are handling situations as these.

Blog #6|: Second Interview Question

1. Where did you attend school to study medicine and why?
2. When did you decide to become an anesthesiologist and why?
3. Why did you choose to work at (insert job place here)?
4. What are some benefits/downsides to being an anesthesiologist inside and outside of your workplace?
5. What are some things you struggled with while going through medical school? Any advice on how to avoid them?

Blog #5a.|: Science Fair Problem Statement

1: Anesthesiology

2: It's possible that anesthesia and surgery during infancy are associated with altered academic performance during childhood. That is, exposure to the baby during surgical procedures after birth. Such procedures including circumcision, pyloromyotomy and orchiopexy. After getting results, data, statistics, etc. I'd use whatever I learned to search for safer anesthetics.

3: Unsafe administration of anesthesia can result in numerous side effects. I'd research and survey for efficient guidelines for administering anesthesia. Publish the results under a professor from Cal Poly.

Blog #4|: Working EQ

The Pentagon:


1. Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far? 
       I have gained more knowledge on anesthesiology and why it's important as a crucial component for a successful surgery. I have also gotten to know a surgeon through my assignment to interview a professional. Although he isn't an anesthesiologist, he gave me another perspective on its importance and how it aided him during surgery. Also, through research I have learned a whole lot about anesthesiology and it's many distinctions in the medical world. 

2. EQ Content: Pick a piece of research or your interview. How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?
       I read an article about the possibility of anesthesiology causing children's academic deficiency due to exposure during infancy and this really made me realize that anesthesiology even has its own possible complications and is actually a very complex topic. Basically that there's more to anesthesiology than putting people to sleep so they don't feel anything during surgery. I thought that was really interesting. Even looking for research proved anesthesiology to be a very intricate medical advancement. It's astounding how much information there is to read up on/ learn about anesthesiology.

3. What has worked for you so far in your senior project?
         Looking for material for research check has been really good. There is so much information on anesthesiology. From guidelines for effective practice of anesthesiology for obstetrics or chronic pain management to what makes for a good leader in anesthesiology. The topic is stretched so far and wide that there probably isn't anything about that you can't search up on google. However, anesthesiology is also a really complex study so it takes a little while for me to understand the terminology and stuff. 

4.  What hasn't worked so far?
           Looking for mentorship/job shadowing/interviews is kind of difficult. I definitely have to get out of my comfort zone to call people up and ask them for their time. Also, I'm always afraid of being rejected, but it's better to have tried than to not do anything. I think when I actually get a mentorship or volunteer opportunity having to drive out to the place will be a little complicated because as of now, I'm relying heavily on my parents for rides but they have work so we always have to schedule last minute according to their work schedules. However, I shall be getting my license soon so hopefully things will work out a lot better. That is, if I pass my test. Which I'm definitely hoping and praying that I do. 

5. Finding Value:  Based on your experience so far, 

• What possible question or questions come to mind regarding what you would like to study this year?

                I guess I'd just like to learn about whatever valuable topics I could utilize and apply in the future. Also, definitely more on anesthesiology:
                         - What are the most important risks when administering anesthetics and what are the
                                  best ways to prevent it ?
                         - What are other kinds of anesthetics and ways to administer them? 
                         
    

• What is your end goal this year with your senior project?

                To make life-long connections with the people that I meet through Senior project and mentorship. To graduate high school and be accepted into a good college. 

• Who would you like to talk to you next? Why?

                 I'd like to interview a practicing anesthesiologist because I know that there is a lot I can learn from them and I'd find it fascinating.  

Blog #3|: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview & why?
          I plan to interview any nurse that works in an OR (operating room); most likely at San Dimas Community Hospital. If not there, then I'll look into volunteering at another hospital. At this point, I plan to just interview any nurse, not necessarily and anesthetist because I want to start simple and then work my way up. I learned that most anesthetists work in the operating room. Obviously because that's where surgeries take place and where the patients will need to be anesthetized.  Also, most likely the nurses there would be communicating with the anesthetists and I would like to get some information on what it's like to work with them. 

2. You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask? 

• What is it like to working in the operating room?
• What does your job entail?
• Did you always know you wanted to do this kind of job?
• What do you think, personally, about your job? Do you enjoy it?  
• Do you think you would ever go back to school to further your education or are you content with the kind of work you do?        

Blog #2|: Topic Choice

a. What is your topic & why? 
        I choose anesthesiology. More specifically, Nurse Anesthesiology. I wanted to do nursing because it's broad and can be narrowed down to a certain specialty. I have decided to research my senior topic on anesthesiology not only because I think it's an interesting topic, but I really want to learn more about the profession, what & how they practice and what it takes to become a masterful nurse anesthesist. 

b. And what do you hope to accomplish this year with this topic? 
            (connecting your answer to each of the 4 ESLRs)

• I-Poly Citizen:  My aim is to learn how to assist, serve and treat patients as a nurse anesthesist and become an I-Poly citizen by contributing to the medical work force in this expertise. Also, I want to promote healthy lifestyle habits to insure the well-being of the patients. 

• Effective Communicator: A key factor in the medical field is being able to communicate and connect with patients so that they feel comfortable and are assured that they are in good hands. Likewise, communicating with colleagues and superiors is very important, especially when discussing patient information. In order to become an all-around effective communicator, forming good relationships with the people around me is crucial. 

• Effective Learner: To be an effective learner I will listen intently to whomever is instructing me and stay focussed. Taking notes usually helps me stay focussed and retain information more easily so I plan to take very detailed notes that I can look back to for future reference. Lastly, The most valuable part about learning is applying what has been taught. In order to be an effective learner I will take what I learned and practice it, use the information that has been given to me and exercise it to the best of my ability. 

• Effective User of Technology: Technology can be utilized in various ways and I plan to be an effective user of technology by applying everything I know in order to help me present the information that I have learned; whether it be through powerpoint, excel, or even demonstrating some sort of medical instrument. Because all sorts of technology are constantly being updated and improved I believe another way to be an effective user of technology is to keep up with the latest research in technology and being kept up to date with the latest developments and to share these new findings with others. 

Blog #1|: Summer Mentorship Component

Literal (Know): 

•   Mentorship Log

• Contact

Literal (Need To Know): 

      What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?  List them.  
☞ What is the most effective way to make sure the patients are
          comfortable?

☞ What is the most important factor that plays into taking care of the
           mothers and their newborns 

☞ How does a team of nurses work together to make the department (in
            this case OB dept.) organized and keep the work effort efficient?

Interpretive: 
          
     What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
     I've learned a lot from my experience working in the Obstetrics (OB) Unit at San Dimas Community Hospital.  Through working in OB I learned that patience and endurance are key characteristics among the employees working on the floor. Patience with handling a family's concerns, communicating with doctors to try and get information about the patients and filling out heaps of forms, charts and assessments sheets with a detailed analysis of each and every patient as well as their baby. Endurance can help anyone in life but especially anyone who is working in an Obstetrics department. On a hectic day where the number of births can  range from 6-8 babies within a 24 hour period, an RN working a 12 hour shift would be caught up with paperwork, running around assisting patients and their families, answering phone calls, and communicating with doctors for details or further instructions. Being able to multi-task and be organized are really important not only in OB but in the medical field in general. I realize that multi-tasking is a big part of working in any department in a hospital especially because often times one department will communicate and/or need something from another department. For example, Pediatrics or Obstetrics communicating with Lab to run tests for blood or urine. Or surgeons contacting the Sterilization room for instruments during surgery. Most departments are connected in one way or another. 

Applied: 

     How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.

            Well first, I think the best part of this whole experience was being exposed to other areas in the medical field. While being employed in Obstetrics I was sent to other departments to run errands. I saw what it was like in the Surgical Dept., the Lab where specimens are sent for bloodwork or other tests, etc. Basically I was exposed to different fields of the hospital even if it was for a short amount of time. Each of them were pretty hectic and busy, that's for sure. But the overall experience has definitely made an impact in my final decision for senior topic. At first, I was determined to do my senior project on pediatrics. Pediatrics was my first pick because I knew that I wanted to do my topic on something in the medical field and I love working with children so Pediatrics seemed perfect. I had even planned to use what I learned to help me decide on a career path. However, after being thrown into the hospital with so many different departments and specialties I decided that I would want to try all of them and later on specialize in something that I had tried out and enjoyed above anything else. So, after extensive research and very informative meetings with multiple people in various areas in the medical field, I have decided to do my Senior topic on nursing and will later on choose a specialty. Nurses (specifically RNs) can work in a whole bunch of different areas. They can dabble in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, ICU, ER, almost anywhere in a general hospital and I'd love to get hands-on experience in every area. Anywhere in a hospital there is a volunteer, there will most likely be an RN nearby. I think if I can volunteer in different areas in a hospital, it'll help me specify what I want to do for my senior topic.