Poor Test Result
My Radiographic Procedures test today was not what I had hoped it to be. I thought I was properly prepared for it, but it just wasn’t the case. I’m going to have to find a different way to prepare myself for the next test I suppose. I made an 89 on this test, which is lower than I’m happy with. My grades in this class so far are 96, 91, and 89, which is a 92 average… just below the A mark. Maybe I shouldn’t worry so much about a 4.0 GPA. I have worked hard up to this point though, and that mark is sort of important to me. I don’t know if it’s a realistic goal in this program, but I don’t guess there is anything wrong with trying. As we start the new unit on Monday, I’m going to make some changes in the way I prepare myself for the tests. I’m not exactly sure what that will be yet, but we’ll see how it goes.
Everyone in the class thought the test was harder than we expected, so I’m not the only one. When we reviewed the test, there was only one mistake on my part. I knew the answer to the question and I filled in the wrong block on the scantron form. I argued my way out of one wrong answer and the entire class got credit for it if they chose the same incorrect answer I did. Here’s that question:
What is the BEST way to minimize the possibility of voluntary motion appearing in a KUB?
Two of the answers choices were obviously incorrect, but there were two that were correct. I chose “reduce the length of the exposure to a minimum.” The correct was to instruct the patient on proper breathing technique. Our studies have included a good bit of material on increased mAs settings to reduce the length of the exposure for the purpose of minimizing motion, so she gave us credit if we chose that answer. Whether the motion be voluntary or involuntary, a minimal exposure time would certainly reduce the chances of the motion creating problems in the image.
One of our instructors was absent today, so we didn’t have the Rad Intro / Patient Care class or lab today…
I understand where you’re coming from regarding the grades. :) Even though I tell myself that the grade I receive in one particular class won’t matter one iota in the real world, I still strive for the 4.0 and sort of beat myself up over lower-than-expected test grades. Hang in there - if I’m not mistaken, it’s still pretty early in the semester for you, and you’ll have plenty of time to make up for it!