"Vitals Gone Wild!" 📊
Your post-op patient’s BP drops to 88/52. What’s your first action?
Assess for bleeding & reposition to Trendelenburg if needed.
This respiratory disease comes with a barrel chest and clubbing.
What is COPD?
Can an LPN give blood?
No — RN only.
What’s the antidote for Tylenol overdose?
Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst).
QuestionAnswer100Patient reports black, tarry stools — what med could have caused this?
NSAIDs or aspirin (GI bleed).
A septic patient’s heart rate is 140. What’s your concern?
Shock (early septic shock = tachycardia).
This disease makes urine look like cola after a strep infection.
What is glomerulonephritis?
Can a UAP assist a patient to the bathroom right after surgery?
No — RN assesses first post-op mobility.
Patient on warfarin loves spinach smoothies. What’s your teaching?
Limit Vitamin K foods — they lower warfarin effect.
Patient with cirrhosis and ascites gets confused. What’s your first thought?
Hepatic encephalopathy (high ammonia).
a patient’s RR is 8 after opioids, what med do you grab?
Naloxone (Narcan)!
Your patient’s skin is bronze, they’re weak, and their potassium is high. What disease?
Addison’s Disease!
Can an LPN give IV push meds?
No — RN only.
Patient taking furosemide reports muscle cramps and weakness. What lab are you checking?
Potassium — risk for hypokalemia.
Patient has 20 mL of dark, amber urine after surgery. What’s your next move?
Assess fluid status, check labs — possible AKI.
In ICP (increased intracranial pressure), what’s the classic vital sign change?
Widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, irregular respirations (Cushing’s Triad).
This condition causes a "tent-shaped" T wave and can lead to cardiac arrest.
Hyperkalemia
A nurse is caring for a diabetic patient admitted for pneumonia. The patient’s blood glucose is 289, and the patient says, “I haven’t been taking my insulin because I feel awful.” What’s the best example of the "evaluation" phase of the nursing process?
"After providing education about insulin adherence, the nurse asks the patient to repeat back the instructions and observes the patient administering insulin correctly."
What med makes you wear sunscreen like a vampire and avoid dairy?
Tetracyclines.
You’re teaching about colostomy care. What’s the #1 rule for skin care around the stoma?
Keep skin dry and clean — barrier cream as needed.
Your patient with pancreatitis has a temp of 102°F, HR 130, and shallow breathing. What complication do you fear?
Sepsis or ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome).
Your patient reports sudden, crushing chest pain that radiates to the back between the shoulder blades. What’s your biggest fear?
Aortic dissection.
What’s a critical teaching point for a patient taking lithium?
Stay hydrated and maintain normal salt intake.
Patient with acute pancreatitis reports severe pain radiating to the back. What position helps?
Side-lying with knees to chest (fetal position).