Fluids & Lytes
This electrolyte imbalance is characterized by Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs.
What is Hypocalcemia?
This "Three P's" symptom set—Polyuria, Polydipsia, and Polyphagia—is the hallmark of this metabolic disorder.
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
This is the first-line medication administered for a patient experiencing Anaphylactic Shock.
What is Epinephrine?
To prevent the spread of C. difficile, the nurse must use this specific hand hygiene method instead of alcohol-based rub.
What is soap and water?
This term describes the volume of blood pumped by the heart in one minute (HR×SV).
What is Cardiac Output?
This type of IV fluid, such as 0.45% Sodium Chloride, causes water to shift from the extracellular space into the cells.
What is a Hypotonic solution?
In a patient with Cirrhosis, this clinical finding describes a flapping tremor of the hands caused by high ammonia levels.
What is Asterixis?
This neurological emergency is characterized by a "thunderclap" headache, often described as the "worst headache of my life."
What is a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage?
Patients with active Tuberculosis require this type of precaution, including a private room and an N95 respirator.
What are Airborne Precautions?
This is the primary hemodynamic goal when treating a patient in Hypovolemic Shock.
What is restoring circulating volume (Fluid Resuscitation)?
Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease often struggle with this electrolyte elevation, which can lead to peaked T-waves on an ECG.
What is Hyperkalemia?
This condition involves the backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus, often treated with Proton Pump Inhibitors.
What is GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
This life-threatening complication of Type 1 Diabetes presents with Kussmaul respirations and a fruity breath odor.
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
This "shift to the left" on a CBC (increased immature neutrophils) typically indicates this type of infection.
What is a Bacterial Infection?
A Central Venous Pressure (CVP) reading of 1 mmHg (Normal: 2–8 mmHg) suggests this fluid status.
What is Hypovolemia (Fluid Volume Deficit)?
This hormone, secreted by the adrenal cortex, causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water while excreting potassium.
What is Aldosterone?
This specific breath sound, often heard in patients with Heart Failure, indicates fluid in the small airways and alveoli.
What are Crackles (Rales)?
In Autonomic Dysreflexia, the nurse should immediately perform this action to lower the patient’s dangerously high blood pressure.
What is sitting the patient upright (High-Fowler's)?
This is the priority assessment for a patient with sepsis who begins to exhibit petechiae and bleeding from IV sites.
What is Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)?
This term refers to the resistance the left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood; it is increased in hypertension.
What is Afterload?
Calculate the fluid resuscitation needed for the first 8 hours for a 70kg patient with 30% total body surface area burns using the Parkland Formula:
What is 4,200 mL? (4×70×30=8,400 total; half in the first 8 hours).
A patient with Addison’s disease lacks these two categories of hormones, leading to hyponatremia and hypoglycemia.
What are Glucocorticoids and Mineralocorticoids?
This late sign of increased intracranial pressure includes bradycardia, widening pulse pressure, and irregular respirations.
What is Cushing’s Triad?
This test is considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing Meningitis by analyzing Cerebrospinal Fluid.
What is a Lumbar Puncture?
This diagnostic value, often elevated in Heart Failure, is a peptide secreted by the ventricles in response to excessive stretching.
What is BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide)?