Mental Health
What are the warning signs of suicide? List at least 4 signs.
- Talking about suicide (ie:"I wish I had not been born")
- Seeking out lethal means (ie:guns, pills and knives)
- Preoccupation with death (ie: writing stories about death or violence)
- No hope for the future
- Self-loathing, self-hatred
- Getting affairs in order (ie:making a will, giving away prized possessions, making arrangements for family members
What is the difference between morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum?
Morning sickness: Nausea sometimes accompanied with vomiting, nausea subsides at 12 weeks and vomiting does not cause severe dehydration
Hyperemesis: Nausea with severe vomiting and nausea does not subside, cannot keep the food down
Which one would you give first to a COPD patient who has both inhaled corticosteroid and bronchodilators prescribed?
Give bronchodilators first to open up the airway and then the corticosteroids. Corticosteroid puffers controls exacerbation.
What is the precaution for patients who are positive for C.diff?
Contact Plus- double gloves, gown, mask (if risk for splashing)
What is the most common clinical manifestation of a patient with OCD?
Persistent unwanted thoughts
What are probable signs of pregnancy? Give at least 2 signs.
Presence of hCG in blood (4-12 weeks)
Presence of hCG in urine (6-12 weeks)
Braxton Hicks (16 weeks)
What are the most common medications used in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal?
Diazepam and Lorazepam
What do you need to check after removing a foley catheter?
Post void residual (PVR) using a bladder scan to check for urinary retention
What is the side effect of antipsychotic medications that causes stiff, jerky movements of face and body?
Tardive dyskinesia
Signs and symptoms of abruptio placenta
- Sudden onset back and abdominal pain
- vaginal bleeding (intermittent or concealed)
- Uterine contractions (fast and continous)
- Uterine tenderness
What can you give to a patient who has a high BP with a history of hemorrhagic stroke and remains NPO due to a swallowing problem?
Captopril sublingual
Nitroglycerin patch
What is increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and what are the S&S?
ICP is the growing pressure in your skull. S&S are: increased intensity of headache, nausea without vomiting, sudden onset of blurry vision.
What are the elements on the Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment Scoring Guidelines (CIWA-Ar)?
Nausea/Vomiting, Anxiety
Paroxysmal Sweats, Tactile Disturbances
Visual Disturbances, Tremors
Agitation, Orientation
Auditory Disturbances, Headache
What is the most common complication after a C-section and what are some nursing interventions to prevent it?
Thrombophlebitis- wear anti-embolic stockings, DVT prophylaxis (anti-coagulant medications)
A patient who has a history of diabetes and is on prednisone 30mg PO OD for five days, has been experiencing blood sugar readings between 16-19 in the past two days. Patient is on medium insulin regular sliding scale. The patient also has insulin basaglar at hs. Which insulin medication should be adjusted?
Insulin basaglar may be increased at hs as it is a basal insulin and it keeps the blood sugar stable throughout the night. There is no peak times for the long acting insulin.
Can we use dextrose solutions to prime a blood transfusion set?
No, it will cause the IV line to crystallize. We use normal saline to prime the line.
What is Xanthophobia?
Fear of the color yellow
What is Kegel's exercise?
It strengthens your pelvic floor muscles to manage incontinence.
What blood work do we need to monitor for patients on loop diuretics?
At risk of hypokalemia- fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps or twitching, constipation. May need to give potassium chloride.
What is the BNP blood work and how is this important in patients with SOB?
BNP is the protein made by heart and blood vessels. Higher BNP means there is stress in the heart like CHF, therefore SOB maybe related to fluid overload as oppose to respiratory disorder.