I must say, showing up to work on a Wednesday for the first time that week is GLORIOUS!  It would be great if I could work Wednesday-Friday (but still be paid for Monday-Friday). 

I drove straight to cardiac rehab where I found only 1 patient scheduled.  I figured I’d take a look at the outpatient schedule for the main office.  I saw I only had a handful of patients.  I sent out an email to the inpatient dietitians letting them know that I’ll take an inpatient education off their hands or even another task.  I did throw in there that tasks such as cleaning their car out will be denied, however. 

After my one cardiac rehab patient, I drove over to the main office, found an inpatient education consult and my desk, and began eating my weight in cuties.

I then was asked if I could see another outpatient rather than doing the inpatient education.  We swapped patients and then I was later given back the inpatient education.  I ended up seeing 3 diabetes patients and 1 “RD only” patient for various things.  I squeezed in the inpatient education before lunch.  I’ve learned to get over to the hospital sooner rather than later because otherwise they’re always going down for tests by the time I arrive.  After I finished up that education, I squirted hand sanitizer into the palm of my hand and began to rub.  My eyes grew huge and a wimper was stuck in my throat.  My hands were burning.  My hands get so dry in the winter which makes hand sanitizer a form of cruel punishment.  I prayed for the hand sanitizer to dry quickly and rubbed lotion all over my hands once I was back at my desk.

I finished charting and entering productivity right at 5 pm!  If only I could time that on a regular basis!  Once I got home I turned the crock pot to “keep warm” and began cleaning.  I did the type of cleaning that no one would even notice.  I hate that!  I waited for the boyfriend to get off work so we could eat together.  In the mean time I sent him a fun picture.

He disapproved of such actions.  No fun!

I finally ate dinner which was a bit of a disappointment.  The crock pot setting lied.  “Keep warm” really means “Continue cooking.”  By the time that I ladled out ELR’s crock pot lentil sweet potato soup, it was ready to be on a soft diet at the hospital.

So disappointing!  I made open-faced grilled cheese with mozzarella, basil, olive oil, pepper, and onion powder.  I may never make another “traditional” two slices of grilled cheese ever again.  These are so simple and low maintenance! 

I will be making that soup again and turning it off when the time comes!

After dinner we had a few chocolates from Chocolat by Daniel.  I gave away a few boxes of chocolate for Christmas but had to make a box for myself!

I am ready to return to Willy Wonka’s Chocolat by Daniel for more already!  Unfortunately that banana fosters chocolate will not be waiting for me.  I cleaned them out of the last six and apparently he’s always creating new chocolates and doesn’t repeat too often.

Practice RD exam question answered:

Folic acid helps with prevention of NTD (neural tube defects) which would be spinal bifida.  It’s a factor in cell division which is what is constantly occurring with a growing baby.

I remember a college professor stating that the folic acid RDA is higher in Australia which also has a higher rate of twins.  Coincidence? 

New practice RD exam question:

If a patient is in the hospital with a newly diagnosis of type 2 diabetes with an A1c of 11.3% and you’re consulted to do a diabetes education what should you ask them if you hand them a handout?  (hint: focus on the A1c and the education tool that is being used)

*Please note these practice questions are aimed to round out dietetics knowledge and practice.  One question on here may be a tiny part of understanding a larger concept that is asked on the exam.