Caring for the Med-Surg Patient
This term describes the severity of a patient's illness or condition and the level of care they require.
What is acuity?
This sense allows nurses to identify characteristic smells associated with specific patient problems during physical examination.
What is olfaction (or the sense of smell)?
The body activates these three control mechanisms to restore normal pH.
What are buffer systems, respiratory compensation, and renal compensation?
Operating rooms are maintained at this cool temperature range in degrees Fahrenheit to discourage microbial growth.
What is 66° to 70°F?
This condition occurs when blood pressure drops upon standing and is a common cause of fainting in older patients.
What is orthostatic hypotension (or postural hypotension)?
This is the amount you must pay out of pocket for covered healthcare services before your insurance begins to pay.
What is a deductible?
Family members, friends, and previous medical records are examples of these sources of information used when the patient cannot communicate.
What are secondary sources (or secondary information)?
When the pH is low (acidotic) and the HCO₃⁻ is also low, this type of acid-base imbalance is present. Kussmaul respirations is the body's respiratory compensation for for this type of acid-base imbalance.
What is metabolic acidosis?
This medication may be given before surgery to stimulate red blood cell production and avoid transfusion.
What is epoetin alfa?
This activity is the most helpful nursing intervention for moving and evacuating gas after general anesthesia.
What is ambulating (or walking)?
This 1996 federal law created regulations regarding patient privacy and electronic health records.
What is HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)? Give some examples of how we comply with HIPAA
These are factors the patient has said are occurring that cannot be verified by examination; you must trust what the patient tells you.
What is subjective data?
This device encourages deep breathing and lung expansion to prevent respiratory complications that could lead to acidosis.
What is incentive spirometer?
Cool operating room, prolonged surgical exposure, anesthetic effects, cold surface, immobility.
What are factors that contribute to hypothermia in the operating room?
In the PACU, vital signs are taken at least this frequently until the patient is stable.
What is every 5–15 minutes?
Unlike a social relationship that focuses on mutual enjoyment, this type of relationship focuses on the patient's problems and needs.
What is a therapeutic relationship?
Each state has one of these agencies that regulates nursing practice and enforces the nurse practice act. This is who you can contact if you have questions regarding your scope of practice.
What is a state board of nursing?
0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline/NS),
Lactated Ringer Solution,
Dextrose 5% with 0.2% Sodium Chloride (D5/0.2 NS)
What are isotonic IV solutions?
This rare but life-threatening complication can occur in genetically predisposed persons exposed to general anesthetic agents such as halothane, isoflurane, enflurane, and succinylcholine.
What is malignant hyperthermia? Signs and symptoms include: high temperature, cardiac dysrhythmia, rigidity of the jaw or other muscles, hypotension, tachypnea, and cola-colored urine.
Acute pain is often accompanied by an increase in these three vital signs.
What are heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate? Diaphoresis and muscle tensing are also physical signs.
This is the first step in the medication reconciliation process, which involves documenting what the patient is currently taking.
What is developing a list of current medications being administered?
This state-specific document defines the role and scope of practice for LPN/LVNs, and it's always your responsibility to know it.
What is the nurse practice act (NPA)?
Before administering IV potassium, verify that urine output is at least this many mL per hour to ensure adequate kidney function.
What is 30 mL/h?
The choice of anesthetic depends on the type of surgery, patient's age, physical condition, family history, and this measurement factor that affects drug distribution.
What are height and weight?
These three priorities are always assessed first when a postoperative patient arrives on the nursing unit.
What are airway, breathing, and circulation (or ABCs)?