Terms
Define the term angina.
A type of chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood.
Usually triggered by exertion or stress and relieved by rest or medication (like nitroglycerin).
Patient is breathing rapidly with a rapid pulse. They are in a state of panic. What could this be a sign of?
Respiratory distress: Even patients who often have trouble breathing can become anxious or panicky when they can’t get enough air.
What do you do if your patient has a legal DNR?
Provide comfort care and supportive treatment, but do not perform CPR or resuscitative efforts
Explain the meaning of early access and early CPR in the chain of survival.
Early access means calling for help quickly, and early CPR means starting chest compressions right away to keep the person alive until help comes.”
What is common way to ask the patient about their pain?
Can you describe your pain in your own words?
Can you describe what the pain feels like? (sharp, dull, pressure, burning, etc.)
Explain the acronym GBREAD.
G-Guarding- the stomach muscles tighten to protect a painful area.
B-Bruising-look for obvious bruising (blue or yellow)
R-Rigidity-Muscles are rigid.
E-Evisceration When internal organs, usually from the abdomen, stick out through a wound.
A-Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) A bulge or ballooning in the wall of the aorta (the main artery) as it passes through the abdomen. If it bursts, it can cause life-threatening bleeding.
Distention-When an area of the body, usually the abdomen, swells or sticks out abnormally.
A child is running a fever and has a loud "barking' cough. What could that be?
Croup is a viral infection of the upper airway that causes swelling and the characteristic barking cough.
What position is often used by patients struggling to breathe?
Tripod position – the patient leans forward, often resting their hands on their knees or a surface, to make breathing easier.
This position helps the diaphragm and accessory muscles work more effectively, improving airflow in patients with respiratory distress.
The AED says to put the pads on patient's bare chest. What does that mean?
Before placing AED pads, remove anything that might interfere with proper contact. For example:
Thick chest hair can prevent good pad adhesion and reduce shock effectiveness.
Chest medication patches should be removed, and the area cleaned, so the shock can pass safely to the heart.
A patient with good vitals is complaining of severe chest pain and is very restless. What is a good method to assist in patient care?
To help the patient and reduce stress, use a calm voice, place them in a position of comfort, control the environment, and offer reassurance.
What is the definition of a tarry stool?
Tarry stool: Stool that is black, sticky, and foul-smelling, usually due to digested blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
An elderly resident has a productive cough, feels weak, and has a low grade fever for a few days. It is also more difficult to breathe. What could this be?
Pneumonia: An infection in the lungs that causes the air sacs to fill with fluid or pus, making it hard to breathe.
If a patient's vomit looks like coffee grounds, what could that indicate?
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding: often from a stomach ulcer or other injury in the digestive tract.
What gland produces the "fight or flight" response?
Adrenal glands – they release adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine), which prepare the body to respond to stress or danger.
An infant with severe respiratory issues is in cardiac arrest. What are your thoughts while assessing?
In infants, respiratory failure is the most common cause of cardiac arrest.
If you palpate the abdomen and find it soft and non-tender, how would this be documented?
A couple different ways:
Abdomen: Soft, non-tender or normal finding
A female patient reports sudden, severe diffuse pain— describing it as the worst they have ever experienced. They deny pregnancy. What could be the cause?”
Acute abdomen – a medical emergency where sudden, intense abdominal pain may indicate a serious underlying condition.
Key features often include: sudden onset, severe intensity (“worst ever”), localized or diffuse pain, and sometimes associated nausea, vomiting, or tenderness.
A patient with a recent injury complains of abdominal pain. On palpation, you notice their abdominal muscles are rigid. What could this indicate?
Muscle rigidity may indicate a serious internal injury, such as bleeding or organ damage, often related to trauma.
What does the pituitary gland do?
It controls other glands and regulates growth, reproduction, water/salt balance, and hormone production.
An infant with a history of cardiac issues is listless with blotchy skin. What are your thoughts?
The patient is showing signs of a cardiac compromise from the heart defect.
Define: Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia and what makes them unique?
Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar – when the body doesn’t have enough glucose to function properly. Can cause shakiness, sweating, confusion, or fainting.
Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar – when there is too much glucose in the blood. Can cause frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, and if severe, can lead to diabetic emergencies.
A patient received a severe blow to the flanks below the ribs. What organ should you be most concerned about?
The kidneys – they are located in the flanks and are vulnerable to blunt trauma, which can cause internal bleeding or injury.
What is Addison Disease?
A condition where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones, especially cortisol and sometimes aldosterone, leading to fatigue, weakness, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin.
Patient has a failing right ventricle. What area will be be affected by the impaired blood flow?
Right sided failure causes fluid backup in the veins so peripheral and abdominal swelling.
Left sided failure causes fluid backup in the lungs.
Why can we feel a strong pulse in the carotid artery?
We feel the carotid pulse because when the heart contracts, it pushes blood through the artery, creating a palpable pressure wave.