Labs
A drop in these lab values may indicate acute bleed.
What is Hemoglobin (Hgb) and Hematocrit (Hct) (H&H)?
A condition in which the blood vessels have persistently elevated pressure.
What is hypertension?
This is a very common Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and blood thinner prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attack.
What is aspirin?
This is a completely subjective finding. Patients are often asked to rank "this" on a scale of 1-10.
What is pain?
What is potassium? (K)
This disease process is characterized by the body's impaired response to or inability to produce the hormone insulin which results in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose.
What is Diabetes-Mellitus? (DM)
This classification of medication reduces heart rate and blood pressure by "blocking" the effects of the hormone epinephrine.
What are beta-blockers?
This is the patients pattern of walking. It is an assessment of patient balance and coordination.
What is gait?
An elevated value of this lab may indicate the presence of infection.
What are WBC's?
This disease process is characterized by lung inflammation cause caused by bacterial or viral infection.
What is pneumonia?
This is a very commonly prescribed non-potassium sparing diuretic.
What is lasix (furosemide)?
When excess fluid builds up in the body, swelling results. When pressure is applied to the swollen area an indentation remains after the pressure is removed.
What is edema (or pitting edema)?
An elevation of these labs may indicate renal dysfunction.
What are BUN, creatinine, and GFR?
This condition involves an obstructed airflow from the lungs. It is a chronic inflammatory lung disease.
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
This drug classification often has the suffix "-pril". The mechanism of action involves prevention of the production of angiotensin II, which narrows the blood vessels.
What are ACE-inhibitors (lisinopril, captopril)? (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors)
This can be found on the left side of the chest between the 4th of 5th intercostal space at the mid-clavicular line.
What is the apical pulse?
This lab value is an important biomarker in the diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). It is a protein secreted by ventricular musculature in response to volume or pressure overload.
What is BNP? (Brain Natriuretic peptide)
This is the body's extreme response to infection in which an already present infection triggers a chain response throughout the body. It is a life-threatening emergency. Treatment involves fluids and antibiotics.
This medication is used to treat irregular heart beats. It is important to assess apical pulse for a full minute and serum potassium levels prior to administration.
What is digoxin?
This is the high-pitched "whistling sound" made while breathing and may occur on inhalation or exhalation. This can be found in patients experiencing acute asthma attack.
What is wheezing?