Breathing!
What is inadequate CO2 removal from the body called?
What is the normal bodies pH range?
7.35-7.45
What is HIIT
Heparin induced thrombocytopenia & thrombosis (due to receiving heparin)
What bacteria increases the risk of stomach cancer in patients?
Helicobacter Pylori
Your patient in the ED arrives s/p unwitnessed traumatic fall. In the nursing homes med rec you notice she is on warfarin. What medication do you anticipate the Physician to order next?
Vitamin K
After inhaled Glucocorticoids (Steroids) are administered, what should you tell your client to do?
Rinse out the mouth with water to reduce the risk of thrush
Why is BiPap useful in a non intubated patient who is in respiratory acidosis?
BiPAP (Bilevei Positive Airway Pressure) is useful in respiratory acidosis because it actively blows off excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) and reduces the patient's breathing workload
What causes Macrocytic Anemia?
A blood disorder where your bone marrow produces abnormally large red blood cells (RBCs) that can't function properly, leading to anemia (low hemoglobin).
What hallmark cell abnormality is present in Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Reed Sternberg Cells, it is the hallmark, cancerous giant B-lymphocytes found in ONLY Hodgkin lymphoma
What does cryoprecipitate aid in replacing?
Fibrinogen concentrate
(replaces clotting factors: fibrinogen, Factor VIII, Factor XIII, and von Willebrand factor)
Your COPD patient reports feeling short of breath. What medication would you administer off of your patients MAR?
A. Serevent (salmeterol)
B.Singulair (montelukast)
C. Albuterol (Pro air)
ANSWER: C. Albuterol (Pro air) inhaler causes bronchodilation
OTHER MEDS:
A. Serevent (salmeterol) inhaler used for prophylaxis
B.Singulair (montelukast) Tablet used to reduce inflammation
Your intubated and ventilated is experiencing respiratory acidosis. What setting do you expect the MD to change on the ventilator?
To increase the respiratory rate.
Respiratory Acidosis results from an increase in C02 (acid), think of it as by increasing the RR you are "blowing off" CO2
A 17 year old girl admitted w/ ITP had a syncopal episode while in the bathroom and had an unwitnessed fall. A Head CT was obtained to R/O bleed and was subsequently negative. A few hours later the patient is pale, lethargic, and hypotensive. As her nurse, what imaging should be advocated for?
CT Abdomen/Pelvis.
Where is intrathecal chemotherapy administered into?
The spinal canal or into the subarachnoid space so that it reaches the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Your patient is receiving a blood transfusion, about 15 minutes into the transfusion she complains that the bed is uncomfortable and bothering her back. What is your next step?
Stop the transfusion, start NS bolus, and notify provider.
Flank pain is a symptom of an acute hemolytic reaction.
Your patient takes Theodur (theophylline) to help manage their COPD. As her nurse you know that she must come in to monitor her serum levels frequently. What is considered the therapeutic range?
5-15 mcg/ml
Your patient has a severe bowel obstruction and has not been able to keep any food down for 1 week. What type of pH abnormality is your patient at risk for?
Metabolic Alkalosis- Think vomit contains a lot of acid and by throwing it up you are removing it from the body leaving an assess of bicarb (base)
Diarrhea increases the risk of metabolic acidosis. Lower GI and intestinal fluids contain high amounts of bicarbonate resulting in a loss of the "base".
Explain what DIC is?
Make it simple!
The amount of activated thrombin exceeds the body’s anti-thrombins and the thrombin does not remain localized. The widespread thromboses created cause widespread ischemia, infarction, and organ hypo-perfusion
BASICALLY... your body has too much activated thrombin (clots your blood) and clots up all your clotting factors ultimately leading to uncontrollable bleeding. (too much clotting leads to too little clotting)
Your patient is prescribed filgrastim (Neupogen) how does this drug work?
It stimulates the bone marrow to increase production of neutrophils (WBC)
Commonly reported side effect is bone pain
Can Jehovah's witnesses accept blood or blood components?
As of September 18th, 2026 the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses announced the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood is a matter of personal conscience.
your COPD patient has been on PO steroids for 2 month and reports he abruptly stops taking the medication a few days ago because he believes they are making him constipated. As the RN what is your immediate concern?
adrenal crisis (acute adrenal insufficiency)
When a patient takes oral (PO) steroids for an extended period—generally longer than two weeks—the body recognizes the high level of synthetic hormones and stops producing its own cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone essential for maintaining blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, and managing the body's stress response.
What should the SPO2 range be for a patient with COPD?
88%-92%
According to the National Health Institute, patients with COPD receiving supplemental oxygen, oxygen saturations above 92% were associated with higher mortality and an adverse dose-response
Your patient is experiencing a panic attack and has been hyperventilating for the past hour. What is this patient at increased risk for?
Respiratory Alkalosis (uncompensated)
Too much CO2 (acts like an acid in the body) is leaving the body creating an an alkolotic environment (higher levels of bicarb/HCO3)
How is Heparin utilized in DIC?
In DIC, this can help stop the extensive fibrin formation and, theoretically, prevent organ dysfunction.
BASICALLY... The Heparin helps stop excessive clotting formation
What is the "Nadir Period"
The time in which the patient has their lowest blood cell count, which is their highest risk of infection.
Your patient has a critically low hgb and has an order to infuse 2 units of PRBC, your patient has 2 IV sites, as the RN will you give the PRBC one and a time or together (but through separate IVs) to quickly increase her blood count?
Individually, one after the other in case of a blood transfusion reaction.