pain & medication
sudden onset, lasts <3 months, usually has an identifiable cause
what is acute pain?
electrolyte imbalance with confusion, fatigue, headache, and seizures
what is hyponatremia? (<135 mEq/L)
ABG: pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 48 mmHg, HCO₃⁻ 24 → what imbalance?
What is respiratory acidosis?
Scale used to assess alcohol withdrawal risk.
what is CIWA?
Task a UAP can perform: vital signs, ambulation, intake/output, or assessment? SATA
What is vital signs or ambulation?
persisitent pain lasting >3 months, may start as acute but continues past normal recovery
what is chronic pain?
electrolyte imbalance cause by potassium-sparring diuretics, kidney failure, or over-ingestion
what is hyperkalemia? (>5.0)
Mnemonic to remember which are opposite vs equal: Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal.
What is ROME?
Labs, imaging, history, psychosocial assessment, and review of systems are all part of what process?
What is preoperative assessment?
Task LPN can perform: IV push, med administration, or assessment?
What is med administration (PO, subQ, some IM)?
non-pharmacological pain relief that uses low-level electrical stimulation
what is TENS? (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
neuromuscular excitability, tetany, positive Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs
what is hypocalcemia? (<9.0)
pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 32, HCO₃⁻ 14 → what is the ABG interpretation?
What is metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation?
Complication: sudden drop in BP after surgery.
What is hemorrhage or hypovolemia?
RN-only tasks: patient teaching, assessment of abnormal labs, PCA programming.
What is RN-only tasks?
type of dosing allows patient to push a button for a basal continuous rate of opioid IV.
what is PCA? (patient-controlled analgesia)
causes include malnutrition, diarrhea, ethanol ingestion; symptoms include hyperactive DTRs, muscle cramps, seizures
what is hypomagnesium? (<1.3)
Which lab value to check first when metabolic alkalosis is caused by vomiting?
What is potassium?
Older adult may take longer to return to baseline mental status post-op; what intervention helps?
What is family presence and cognitive stimulation?
“First action” priority for hyperkalemia with ECG changes.
What is place patient on cardiac monitor?
5 key components to assess in a comprehensive pain assessment
what are location, intensity, quality, onset/duration, aggravating/relieving factors?
first nursing action for a patient with K+ 6.4 and peaked T waves on telemetry
what is place the patient on cardiac monitoring?
Patient has prolonged vomiting, ABG: pH 7.52, HCO₃⁻ 36 → likely electrolyte imbalance?
What is hypokalemia?
Discharge planning must assess home safety, drug reconciliation, and what else?
What is nutrition access and support system?
When a patient has altered mental status post-op, which action is first: call provider, reorient, safety, or meds?
What is safety (fall precautions)?