State Examinations

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XI, Issue 3, 1 July 1918, Page 121

State Examinations

The State Examinations of nurses and midwives were held on 12th and 13th of June. The centres for the Nurses' Examination were : Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Napier, Hamilton, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Invercargill, Tirnaru. The questions for the Medical Paper and the comments of the Examiner are appended . The one or two candidates whose answers are specially mentioned (but not in commendation) will do well to continue their studies for a further term| MEDICAL NURSING. QUESTIONS. 1. What are the symptoms of tubercular meningitis in a child ? Describe the nursing treatment of such a case. '2. Describe the symptoms and signs and nursing management of acute Bright's disease. 3. Give the symptoms, general treatment, and complications of scarlet fever. 4. What do you understand by : — (a) Cheyne-Stokes breathing ; (b) Melsena ; (c) Paraplegia ; (d) Cyanosis : (e) Anasarca ? 5. What are the symptoms and treatment of poisoning by — (a) Digitalis ; (b) Belladonna ; (c) Opium ; (d) Ptomaines ; (e) Prussic aid ? 6. What terms are us3d to distinguish the action of drugs ? Mention one drug belonging to each class and its dose. What is meant by idiosyncrasy as regards drugs ? EXAMINER'S COMMENTS. On the whole the questions were very well answered. The usual mistakes in technique were evident, that is to say, some of the candidates obviously commenced to write their answers in an indefinite way, neglecting to first study the purport of the question and make a scheme mentally of the main points and proper sequence of the answer. Some candidates also took no notice of the clock and answered the first questions fully and scrambled through the last ones. The question on tubercular meningitis in a child led to disappointing answers. Too many candidates confused this disease with cerebro-spinal meningitis, and gave a dissertation on lumbar puncture, and the introduction of serum, or special attention to discharges from the nose and throat, and on the supposed very highly infectious

nature of the disease generally. Nursing attention advised in this disease ranged from taking 'the pulse, temperature and respirations every two hours, and a lumbar puncture every day, to interfering as little as possible except for putting mattresses on the floor round the bed to keep the child from hurting himself ! The question of acute Bright's disease was well answered, although there was a strong tendency to confuse the acute disease with the chronic forms. Two nurses confused acute Bright's disease with diabetes. Every candidate had an excellent knowledge of the nursing and complications of scarlet fever ; indeed, the answers were generally as good as the average general medical practitioner or senior medical student could write. The descriptions of Cheyne-Stokes breathing, melsena, etc., were good, with very few exceptions. This question furnished one of the two t: howlers " worth quoting : ' Anasarca is cancer of the tissues." " Anasarca is a form of tapeworm found in the small intestine." " Anasarca is wind in the bowels." " Paraplegia is internal haemorrhage after the birth of a child. The walls of the perineum must be scraped and a hot douche given daily till the haemorrhage ceases." The candidates had an excellent knowledge of poisons except for the sad fact that twenty to thirty per cent, believed prussic acid to be a corrosive poison, burning the alimentary tract. One candidate codified the whole treatment of poisons, which is briefly comprehended in this injunction : " Give white of egg, and never use the stomach pump." Evidently the most difficult question related to the general classification of drugs. Half the candidates roughly had a very good knowledge of the question, but the other half did not know much, but their knowledge in this respect will expand with further experience of nursing. It is safe to conclude from the evidence of these examination papers that our nurses in the hospitals have a high standard of instruction and study industriously and intelligently. New Zealand nurses need not fear comparison with the nurses of any other country. J. S. E.