who_knows Posted August 21, 2022 Report Share Posted August 21, 2022 Hello. Need an advice and reassurance. When I am given a lab sheet, I take 2-3 minutes to go over and picture the physiology in my head. For some reason, I can't just instantly recognize the pattern of labs. Is it normal for an MS2 to be slow with reading labs and interpreting them? Clerkship is in one year, am I supposed to be super quick with labs by then? So, what should I do? How can I improve? Should I memorize the patterns? This sounds insane. I am not one of those who memorizes things and spills out facts like a reflex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostLamb Posted August 22, 2022 Report Share Posted August 22, 2022 You’re fine. Arztin and who_knows 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowmen Posted August 22, 2022 Report Share Posted August 22, 2022 When I was an MS2, I couldn't even remember whether sodium or potassium was the one with the "big number" so I think you're fine. who_knows and frenchpress 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robclem21 Posted August 22, 2022 Report Share Posted August 22, 2022 The more you see the faster you become, as with anything. In clerkship, it's probably best just to learn which values are most important to look at and what is actually a clinically important change from baseline (Unlike "HOUSE", often something borderline doesn't warrant too much second thought). By the end of clerkship you should have a general approach to abnormal values (i.e. differential, management, etc. for anemia, electrolyte abnormalities, elevated LFTs, ABGs, etc.). However, a lot of absolute values may change slightly depending on which hospital you work at and the assays they use in their labs and that is why they are always reported with reference ranges which everyone still uses even into practice. who_knows and canada747 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb24 Posted August 22, 2022 Report Share Posted August 22, 2022 The more you do it, the more it becomes second nature. Just focus on understanding why you see a certain pattern, rather than memorizing things now. Normal values were always given to us on exams anyway. who_knows 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
who_knows Posted August 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 Thank you, guys. "Practice more" - always a great advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymouspls Posted April 21 Report Share Posted April 21 If M3 shows up on time every day and does all assigned tasks they are already in top 25% of their class. If you aren't annoying on top of this you are top 10% superstar clerk. DrOtter 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.