The Clinical Anaesthesia Viva Book - Softcover

Mills, Simon J.; Maguire, Simon L.; Barker, Julian M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521676959 ISBN 13: 9780521676953

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2001

Synopsis

The Final FRCA examination is an essential qualification for every anaesthetist wishing to practice anaesthesia as a consultant in the UK. Several books deal with the written and basic science viva component of the FRCA Final, but none deal specifically with the clinical case/scenario part of the viva examination. This book has been designed to fill this gap and offers not only well-researched, relevant and carefully constructed scenarios (both long and short cases), but also invaluable advice on preparation for the clinical vivas, based on the authors' recent experience.

About this title

Book Description

No other book deals specifically with the clinical case/scenario part of the viva examination. This book has been designed to fill this gap and offers not only well-researched, relevant and carefully constructed scenarios, but also invaluable advice on preparation for the clinical vivas, based on the authors' recent experience.

Review

Although the book is aimed at anaesthetists at Registrar level who are taking the final FRCA examination, there is much the anaesthetic nurse and Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) can gain from reading this book. The book follows the format of the clinical viva, which consists of a long case and three short case scenarios. Each scenario contains questions the candidate is likely to be asked, and the ideal answer. Consisting of three chapters, the book is user friendly. The first chapter has useful examination hints for sitting a viva. Chapter 2 contains sixty-one short case scenarios. These are listed in alphabetical order, ranging from abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture to latex allergy and culminating with Wolfe Parkinson White syndrome. Chapter 3 comprises of the long case scenarios, which are more in depth with more critical data given for interpretation. This would be a useful book to have as part of an operating department's library collection, where nurses undertaking the ENB 182 and ODP students or indeed qualified anaesthetic staff could sit down and work through some of the scenarios. From doing this they would extrapolate the equipment they would need and the role they would take. It is important that anaesthetic nurses and ODPs understand the "why" behind what they are doing, this gives them greater skills in anticipating the needs of the patient. As a teacher I could see myself using this book to test the knowledge of my students at the end of lectures on related topics. Overall I think this is a good book to dip in and out of. This is another book for those studying for the FRCA examination. The authors are specialist registrars in anaesthesia on the North West of England rotation and, as such, they bring a practical note to the text of this book. The aim of the book is to enable the reader to pass the viva section of the final Fellowship examinations. The first chapter, "Preparation for the Clinical Viva" was written so vividly that it filled me with the horrible memories of the time between the written paper and the viva exams. The authors suggest that the best method of studying during this short period would be to "sit around in armchairs, cups of tea in hand, discussing anaesthetic topics, far preferable to the textbook and solitary desk lamp at midnight scenario",. The book lists clinical cases that can be discussed between colleagues practising for vivas. In addition, it gives a lot of information on key topics that can be assimilated during the viva practice. The first chapter also has an excellent section on how to categorize information for the viva exam and how to perfect the viva technique. As an examiner, my job would be much easier if all candidates followed this advice! Chapter 2 consists of 60 short case scenarios. These ask common clinical questions, such as "How do you assess a patient's airway prior to anaesthesia?"; a structured answer is given with key points highlighted in boxes. These examples were well organised with a lot of useful clinical information and well-chosen key points. The format is similar to that of other successful books of this type, such as the Key Topics series. Each topic has one or two up-to-date, easily assessable key references. The third chapter deals with the long cases and I rather like the way these are titled, for example "The one about the man for a total hip replacement with a history of previous DVT ". There then follows a brief history, details of clinical examination and relevant investig

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0521676959
• ISBN 13: 9780521676953
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 270