Theory and CPR exam

Finally the exam comes.

The instructor has revised the CPR procedure with the class a few times and most of them are already quite familiar what to do and what not to do. He even went through many MCQ which were highly likely to appear in the exam paper.

Somehow I felt butterflies in my stomach despite the instructor said there were seldom any failures. I recalled the anxiety felt by Isa before the exam. It must be unbearable. I felt uncomfortable too even am an adult. I did a few deep breathings to calm myself. I tried to control myself to remain composed.

We had an early lunch and the instructor wanted us to return from lunch around 1.30pm. The exam started around 2pm. So we had half an hour to do final revision or practise.

About 10 minutes before 2pm, the Indian examiner stepped in. Immediately there was a slight confusion and excitement. The instructor told him that the class was still doing the final revision. Soon the class began packing the notes and got ready the stationery.

There were 30 MCQ in the paper and we were required to pass 18 ie a 60% pass is needed before we can enter the Practical session.

The whole class finished the paper in less than 30 min. Quite a few scored full marks and the lowest score was 22/30. I made a mistake (unsure which question as the paper was not returned or discussed) and scored 29/30.

We got ready our triangular bandage and roller bandage. Gan and I worked as partners. She did a head injury bandage for me. This was easy. I have to do a fracture arm bandage. OMG! I was a bit confused where to start. Luckily some course mates were doing the similar bandage. I saw somebody used a book to act as a splint. Immediately I followed. The triangular bandage did not work nicely with my clumsy fingers. Soh helped me to pull tight the bandage when the examiner was busy checking others' work. Ok, the whole class passed the bandaging session.

Only 2 participants were allowed in the room to do CPR. There were 2 dummies and we knew one has quite a small mouth which made blowing air into it quite challenging. Soh told me to take the other one while he handles the one which has a smaller mouth.

After checking for danger and kneeling down, I realised something was not correct. I am so used to use my right hand to do head tilt chin lift but now, I have to use my left hand. I hesitated on the subsequent steps. The examiner spotted my confusion. Instead of using my right hand to track the tip of sternum, I realised I have to use my left hand. Suddenly, I realised that the dummy was facing in an opposite direction and thus my confusion.

Nevertheless, the examiner noted my problem and said that I should be able to do CPR in any direction.

Ok, I have passed my exam!