Appendicitis
The point on the lower right quadrant of the abdomen at which tenderness is maximal in cases of acute appendicitis.
What is McBurney's point?
These two imaging tests are used to diagnose cholecystitis.
What are ultrasound and HIDA scan?
This burning sensation in the chest, often felt after eating or when lying down, is the most common symptom of GERD.
What is Heartburn?.
The functional unit of the lung (this is the area that fills with pus/fluid due to pneumonia)
What are alveoli?
This term encompasses chronic bronchitis and emphysema, two lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties and are often linked to long-term exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke.
What is COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)?
The movement of salts and waste products across a concentration gradient
What is diffusion?
A condition where the blood becomes too acidic due to the lungs' inability to remove enough carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body. This can happen because of conditions that impair breathing, such as sleep apnea, head trauma, or drug overdose.
What is respiratory acidosis?
This condition involves the inflammation of a small, finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine, often causing severe pain in the lower right abdomen, nausea, and fever.
What is appendicitis?
In this diagnostic procedure, the bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, and gallbladder are examined by passing a flexible tube (called an endoscope) into the mouth, esophagus, and stomach into the small intestine. A contrast dye is then injected into the bile and pancreatic ducts, and X-rays are taken to identify any blockages, stones, or other abnormalities.
What is an ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)?
Reduction of gastric acid by inhibiting the enzyme that produces gastric acid.
What is the mechanism of action of proton pump inhibitors?
This expectorant medication is used to help clear mucus from the chest and throat, making it easier to cough up phlegm.
What is guaifenesin?
A condition where the chest appears rounded and bulging, resembling the shape of a barrel. This occurs due to chronic hyperinflation of the lungs, often seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What is barrel chest?
Tetany, peripheral neuromuscular irritability, perioiral numbness, paresthesias of the hands and feet, carpopedal spasm, laryngospasm, and focal or generalized seizures.
What are signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia?
This occurs when the lungs cannot remove enough carbon dioxide from the body leading to an increase in blood acidity.
What is respiratory acidosis?
Palpation in the LLQ causes pain the RLQ.
What is Rovsing's sign?
This condition is characterized by severe pain in the upper right abdomen, pain that radiates to the right shoulder or back, pain after eating a high-fat meal, tenderness over the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and sometimes fever.
What is cholecystitis?
This condition occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach, causing inflammation and irritation of the esophagus.
What is GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms like cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing
What is pneumonia?
A condition where the fingernails become thickened and rounded, often due to chronic hypoxia (low oxygen levels) associated with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, or heart disease.
What is clubbing?
This electrolyte regulates the heartbeat, ensures proper function of the muscles and nerves, and is vital for synthesizing protein and metabolizing carbohydrates.
What is potassium?
Vomiting, diarrhea, NG suctioning, excessive ingestion of baking soda or antacids, kidney failure, excessive IV sodium bicarbonate.
What are conditions that can cause metabolic alkalosis?
An acute inflammation of the vermiform appendix, most likely due to obstruction of the lumen of the appendix (by fecalith, normal stool or infective agents).
What is acute appendicitis?
Inspiratory pain in the right upper quadrant upon palpation?
What is Murphy's sign?
Eating smaller meals; elevating the head of the bed when sleeping; avoiding trigger foods; eliminating caffeinated beverages, smoking and alcohol; avoiding tight-fitting clothing; not lying down for at least 2 hours after eating, and maintaining a healthy weight.
What are ways to prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease?
When definitively diagnosing a patient with bacterial pneumonia, these samples should be obtained before administering broad-spectrum antibiotics to ensure accurate identification of the causative organism.
What are blood cultures?
This is the most common risk factor for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
What is smoking?
This electrolyte helps to regulate fluids and electrolytes, plays a key role in blood pressure control, and supports nerve and muscle function.
What is sodium?
pH >7.45; HCO3 >28 mEq/L
What is metabolic alkalosis.
A minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove an inflamed or infected appendix. This procedure involves making small incisions in the abdomen and using a camera (laparoscope) to guide the surgery.
What is a laparoscopic appendectomy?
This common cause of shoulder pain after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is due to the introduction of carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity, which can irritate the diaphragm and lead to referred pain.
What is gas insufflation?
This condition involves the formation of open sores in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine, which can lead to symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and internal bleeding. It is often due to infection with Helicobacter pylori or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
What is peptic ulcer disease?
What is the most common organism causing CAP?
Streptococcus pneumonia
A situation where the body's normal mechanism for regulating breathing based on low oxygen levels becomes less effective, leading to decreased respiratory effort and potentially dangerous levels of CO2 (hypercapnia) in the blood.
What is loss of hypoxic drive?
Fatigue, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and confusion.
What are signs and symptoms of hyponatremia?
As a compensatory response, you assess that your patient's kidneys excrete more bicarbonate (HCO3-) and retain hydrogen ions (H+) to help lower the pH of the blood back towards normal.
What is respiratory alkalosis?
This small, tube-like structure attached to the large intestine is believed to play a role in the immune system and also helps maintain gut flora by acting as a reservoir for beneficial bacteria.
What is the appendix?
These hardened deposits can form in the gallbladder and may cause severe abdominal pain, jaundice, and nausea when they block the bile ducts.
What are gallstones?
Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin, Metronidazole, Tetracycline, Bismuth compounds.
What are antibiotics to treat H. Pylori?
Substances denser than air -- such as fluid, pus, or cells -- that accumulate within the lung tissue. These infiltrates can be seen on a chest X-ray or CT scan and are often associated with conditions like pneumonia
What are pulmonary infiltrates?
A complete or partial collapse of the lung or a section of the lung. More specifically, the alveoli.
What is atelectasis?
An essential mineral that your body needs to perform over 300 functions. It activates hundreds of enzymes and participates in thousands of biochemical reactions that regulate blood pressure, metabolism, protein synthesis, and various other processes.
What is magnesium?
This blood test provides the most accurate systemic results for blood-gas levels, including pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels.
What is arterial blood gas (ABG)?
A serious condition where the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity, becomes inflamed. This can occur when a ruptured appendix allows the contents of the gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, to spill into the abdominal cavity.
What is peritonitis?
Recurrent, crampy abdominal pain 2 hours after eating fatty food.
What is biliary colic?
This precancerous condition occurs when the normal cells lining the esophagus are replaced by cells similar to those lining the intestine, often due to chronic acid reflux.
What is Barrett's esophagus?
Fever/malaise/fatigue
Cough (+/- rust coloured sputum)
Dyspnea
Pleuritic chest pain
What are the 4 cardinal clinical signs of pneumonia?
Long-lasting cough, mucus in airways, SOB, wheezing, fatigue, lung infections.
What are s/s of COPD?
Both calcium and magnesium have an inverse relationship to this mineral. It is essential for human health and is a component of bones, teeth, DNA, RNA, phospholipids and ATP.
What is phosphorus?
This acid-base imbalance results from an excess of acid in the body fluids, which can happen from untreated diabetes, kidney disease, or severe dehydration. Symptoms include rapid breathing, confusion, fatigue, headache, and an increased heart rate.
What is metabolic acidosis? (bicarb low, pH low)
Low appetite, fever, and pain in lower right part of the stomach.
What are common symptoms of appendicitis?
Jaundice, clay colored stools, steatorrhea
What are some chronic s/s of cholecystitis?
This medication is used to treat peptic ulcer disease as it adheres to the ulcer site in the stomach or duodenum and creates a protective barrier. This barrier shields the ulcer from stomach acids, digestive enzymes, and bile salts, thus allowing it to heal. It is typically taken one hour before meals or two hours after meals.
What is Carafate (sucralfate)?
Procedure that drains fluid from pleural space. May be performed if pneumonia develops into a pleural effusion.
What is a thoracentesis?
Characterized by destruction of Alveolar walls leading to the formation of larger air spaces; loss of elasticity; impaired gas exchange; barrel chest and dyspnea on exertion (DOE).
What is emphysema?
Confusion, headache, muscle weakness, diminished deep tendon reflexes and a sodium of 121 mEq/L.
What are s/s of hyponatremia?
This term describes the process by which the lungs and kidneys work to correct imbalances in the body's pH levels.
What is compensation?
This position (a side-lying position with knees drawn up to the chest) helps to reduce abdominal pain and discomfort.
What is the knee-flexed position?
Cholelithiasis: Stones blocking outflow of bile causing inflammation
What is the most common cause of cholecystitis?
Clients with GERD should avoid these common pain relievers, as they can increase stomach acid and worsen symptoms.
What are NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)?
Children 2 years and younger, and adults 65 years and older
What two age groups are at higher risk for pneumonia?
The final, smallest branches of the pulmonary tree. Acts as primary gas exchange units.
What are alveoli?
Agitation, constipation, muscle twitching and cramps, dry mouth, thirst, and decreased urine output.
What are s/s of hypernatremia?
This term describes the state when the lungs and kidneys have successfully corrected an acid-base imbalance, bringing the pH back to normal.
What is fully compensated?
This is a serious inflammation of the peritoneum that is usually caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, often resulting from a rupture in the abdomen, such as a burst appendix or a perforated ulcer. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, bloating, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
What is peritonitis?
Severe pain in the upper right or center abdomen that can spread to the right shoulder or back; tenderness over the abdomen, especially on palpation; nausea and vomiting; fever; pain after eating, particularly after consuming a large or fatty meal; indigestion plus gas; low-grad fever and chills.
What are s/s of acute cholecystitis?
This condition occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, which can affect the function of the lower esophageal sphincter.
What is a hiatal hernia?
Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP), Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP), Aspiration Pneumonia.
What are the four types of pneumonia?
The lungs no longer rebound after having been stretched by inhalation, or breathing in.
What is a loss of elastic recoil?
Adding this solution into the bloodstream will not cause any movement of particles into or out of cells.
What is an isotonic solution?
As a compensatory response to this acid-base disorder, you assess that your patient's rate and depth of breathing has slowed down (hypoventilation) in order to retain carbon dioxide (CO2) in the body.
What is metabolic alkalosis? (bicarb high, pH high)
This is a concerning sign in appendicitis indicating a possible rupture, which can lead to peritonitis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
What is the sudden relief of pain in the appendix?
Female, fat, forty, and fertile
What are risk factors for cholecystitis?
CBC, Barium contrast study and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).
What are common tests performed to diagnose an ulcer?
This test is obtained by having clients spit directly into a sterile container, and it is collected to determine what type of pneumonia the patient may have to determine the best course for treatment.
What is a sputum culture?
This breathing technique involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through pursed lips, often used by patients with COPD to improve ventilation.
What is pursed-lip breathing?
Consuming too much of this common seasoning in our diet can lead to water retention because it causes the body to hold onto more water to balance fluid levels.
What is salt?
PH 7.26, PaCO2 28, HCO3 11 mEq/L. How would the nurse interpret these results?
What is metabolic acidosis with compensatory respiratory alkalosis?