Lab Values
A nurse reviewing a BMP (Basic Metabolic Panel) should recognize 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L as the normal range for this electrolyte.
What is Potassium (K+)?
Before a patient undergoes an MRI, the nurse must screen for the presence of this in or on the body.
What is metal (or pacemakers/implants)?
A patient who is immobile is at high risk for this vascular complication, often characterized by calf pain and swelling.
What is a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
This term describes a heart rate that is consistently higher than 100 beats per minute in an adult.
What is Tachycardia?
To prevent atelectasis and pneumonia post-operatively, the nurse should encourage the patient to use this device every hour while awake.
What is an Incentive Spirometer?
This lab value, normally between 0.6 and 1.2 mg/dL, is the most sensitive indicator of kidney function.
What is Creatinine?
Following a cardiac catheterization, the nurse must frequently assess this pulse to ensure adequate circulation to the affected extremity.
What is the pedal pulse (or distal pulse)?
This is the most serious complication of a fracture, where fat globules enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs.
What is a Fat Embolism?
A sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a patient moves from a lying to a standing position is called this.
What is Orthostatic Hypotension?
This is the first action a nurse should take if a patient’s pulse oximetry reading drops to 88% on room air.
What is sit the patient up (High-Fowler's) and encourage deep breaths?
For a patient on Warfarin (Coumadin), the nurse monitors this specific lab value to ensure it remains between 2.0 and 3.0.
What is the INR (International Normalized Ratio)?
This is the primary nursing priority for a patient who just returned from a bronchoscopy before they are allowed to eat or drink.
What is checking for the return of the gag reflex?
The "Three Ps" (Polyuria, Polydipsia, Polyphagia) are classic signs of this acute metabolic complication.
What is Hyperglycemia?
When a patient is in shock, the nurse typically expects the blood pressure to be low and the heart rate to be this.
What is high (tachycardic)?
When a patient is on "Seizure Precautions," the nurse ensures this equipment is at the bedside and functioning.
What is suction and oxygen?
An HbA1c level above this percentage is typically used to diagnose Diabetes Mellitus.
What is 6.5%?
To collect a "clean catch" urine specimen, the patient must be instructed to do this mid-way through the process.
What is voiding a small amount into the toilet first (voiding mid-stream)?
A nurse notes "coffee-ground" emesis in a patient's suction canister; this indicates bleeding in this part of the body.
What is the upper GI tract?
Cushing’s Triad (bradycardia, hypertension with widening pulse pressure, and irregular respirations) indicates an increase in this.
What is Intracranial Pressure (ICP)?
To reduce the risk of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), the drainage bag should always be kept in this location.
What is below the level of the bladder?
This is the therapeutic range for Lithium, a mood stabilizer with a very narrow window for toxicity.
What is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L?
After a lumbar puncture, the nurse instructs the patient to remain in this position for several hours to prevent a spinal headache.
What is supine (or flat)?
This life-threatening condition occurs when a patient with a spinal cord injury at T6 or higher has a full bladder, causing extreme hypertension.
What is Autonomic Dysreflexia?
To obtain an accurate blood pressure, the cuff bladder should encircle this percentage of the arm circumference.
What is 80%?
When assessing a patient with a cast, the "6 Ps" (Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Paralysis, Poikilothermia) are used to screen for this emergency.
What is Compartment Syndrome?