Ø Practice your PRM(F)Q on these excerpts:

TYPES OF COURSES

No longer limited to what one would consider traditional courses, today’s colleges and universities offer students a variety of ways to learn. Advanced technology now allows our colleges and universities to provide course options well beyond those that were available thirty years ago.

Traditional Courses

Of course, most colleges and universities continue to offer traditional courses, courses that meet in on-campus classrooms with students and teachers interacting face-to-face. Traditional courses have a set meeting schedule as well as in-class lectures, assignments, and tests. In addition, traditional courses can utilize campus resources such as the library, student centers, on-campus labs, and support services.

Hybrid Courses

Hybrid courses are blends of both traditional course structures and innovations in technology. Along with on-campus meetings, perhaps two to three per week, hybrid courses also have an online component that allows students to complete some of the course work at home using a computer and the internet.

Telecourses

Historically, telecourses were among the first off-campus course offerings. Consisting of a series of television lessons and an accompanying textbook, telecourses allow distance-learning students with no computer or Internet access to take classes. Once enrolled in a telecourse, students receive course information by mail and return assignments by mail as well. Testing can occur through the mail and/or at approved off-campus testing sites near a student’s home.

On-line (Internet-based) Courses

Students can work almost completely at home and/or long distances from the campus by enrolling in on-line (Internet-based) courses. Though on-line courses may require initial on-campus meetings or periodic testing at approved testing centers near the student’s home, students can be truly independent from commuting to a campus location. This independence provides added convenience in terms of work and study schedules as well as a savings in travel time and expense.

Saving the Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope continues to reveal the wonders of our universe. Its images are so crystal-clear and breath-taking that few would believe that it was shot into space almost blind. It was only after the Hubble reached earth orbit that scientists and technicians discovered an unknown flaw in the telescope lens that would limit its vision to fuzzy, “muddy” images.

For several months after first discovering the problem, scientists considered three possible solutions. One was to build and launch a new telescope. This would cost millions of dollars and delay any deep space study for several years. A second solution was to build a super computer that could clear up the pictures the current Hubble sent to earth. However, even the most powerful computer would have to "guess" several parts of an enhanced picture because the flaw in the original lens would be unable to transmit enough useful information. A third solution was to build and install a corrective "contact lens" for the Hubble, much as doctors make for humans with vision problems. This corrective lens could be delivered by the space shuttle and installed by astronauts.

On-line Learning Requirements

Today’s on-line learning environment requires several skills from students who participate in it.

First, because the on-line learning experience is relatively new, a student has to be pro-active in enrolling in on-line courses. A successful on-line student must determine course requirements and ways to access course help before problems occur.

In addition, a successful on-line learner needs to be independently motivated. The student must take the initiative to log on, receive and complete assignments. No instructor will be in the classroom reminding the student of due dates and course requirements.

Another requirement is solid basic skills. Because the on-line learning environment relies heavily on the printed word, students must be proficient in both reading and writing. Weak basic skills are one of the biggest reasons on-line students do not meet with success.

Finally, a successful on-line student must be relatively familiar with technology, particularly computer use and the internet. If a student has never used a computer, its basic software, or accessed the Internet, it will be very difficult to learn these skills as well as keep up with the academic requirements of the on-line course.

Steps to Taking Blood from a Patient

Phlebotomists are medical technicians who specialize in taking blood samples from patients. Because of the risk of misidentification or spreading infections (either from phlebotomist to patient or patient to phlebotomist), specific steps must be followed when drawing blood.

1. First, be sure that the empty vial displays the correct patient’s name. Be sure to make eye contact, clearly ask the patient’s name, listen to the reply, verify the same name is on the vial and ask the patient if the name on the vial is correct.

2. Next, using a tourniquet, locate a likely vein and swab the site with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol.

3. Quickly but carefully insert the needle into the vein using confident, practiced movements.

4. Release the tourniquet to fill the syringe.

5. When the syringe is full, wet a cotton ball with alcohol, place is over the needle site, and carefully withdraw the needle.