Gastrointestinal
What are important nursing actions for a patient with a nasogastric tube after esophageal surgery?
Check placement often, keep the tube draining and secure, provide oral and nasal care, keep the head of the bed elevated, watch for trouble swallowing, and monitor for signs of leakage or infection.
Incomplete bladder emptying, urinary catheters, kidney stones, and even diabetes can increase your risk for this type of infection, which often begins when bacteria ascend from the urethra into the bladder.
What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
These are key hygiene and lifestyle steps patients with contagious skin infections such as ____________ must follow, such as avoiding contact sports, covering wounds with clean bandages, Wash washcloths after every single use, and not sharing personal items.
What is MRSA (Box 21.9)
Which stage of pressure injury is characterized by full-thickness skin loss with visible adipose tissue, possible granulation tissue, rolled edges, slough or eschar, and potential undermining or tunneling, but without exposure of fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, or bone?
Stage 3 Pressure Injury
This type of hepatitis is transmitted through contaminated food and water, while these two types are primarily spread through blood and body fluids. Name them.
What is Hepatitis A (food/water), and Hepatitis B & C (blood/body fluids)? pg. 1229
This condition in patients with malabsorption disorders can result from slow bleeding, poor nutrition, and low serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B12, often leading to decreased albumin levels.
What is anemia?
This is the recommended daily fluid intake to help dilute stone-forming crystals, prevent dehydration, and promote urine flow.
What is 3 liters of fluid per day (box 58.9)
What should a nurse teach a patient about varicella regarding antiviral treatment, vaccination, complications, and symptom relief?
Antiviral drugs (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir) are most effective within the first 72 hours of rash onset; vaccination is recommended as a two-dose series for adults over 50; complications can include Bell’s palsy or eye infections; soothing measures include compresses, calamine lotion, or baking soda. (Box 21.8)
What skin condition is indicated by curved or linear ridges on the skin, often caused by a mite infestation?
Scabies
These precautions for a patient with pneumonia include a private room if possible, masking within 3–6 feet, and keeping at least 3 feet of distance from others.
What are droplet precautions?
This inflammatory bowel disease causes a thickened bowel wall, cobblestone ulcerations, strictures, and increases the risk for fistulas, malabsorption, severe diarrhea, and anemia, and often requires surgery due to complications like bowel obstruction.
What is Crohn’s disease?
These lifestyle and medication teaching points for _________ include avoiding large fluid intake
What is managing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
What are the key signs and symptoms that a nurse should assess for in a patient suspected of having pediculosis?
itching (pruritus), excoriation from scratching also may be present. Examine the scalp for visible white flecks of the nits attached to the hair shaft near the scalp. Matting and crusting of the scalp and a foul odor indicate a probable secondary infection. Assess the body for excoriation on the trunk, abdomen, or extremities.
This skin infection, caused by Bacillus anthracis, often starts as a painless lesion that looks like an insect bite, develops a necrotic center, and forms a characteristic eschar.
What is cutaneous anthrax?
A rigid, boardlike abdomen, rebound tenderness, diminished bowel sounds, nausea/vomiting, high fever, tachycardia, and dehydration are classic signs of this life-threatening abdominal complication.
What is peritonitis? (box 49.1)
This acute condition involves inflammation of a small pouch off the cecum, usually caused by obstruction from fecaliths, presents with right lower quadrant pain, and can lead to gangrene, perforation, or peritonitis if untreated.
What is appendicitis?
what should patients be taught to expect after a TURP?
catheter-related discomfort, the urge to void, blood-tinged urine, and possible small clots or tissue debris.
What are the most common complications of peptic ulcer disease, and what signs indicate hemorrhage?
Hemorrhage, perforation, pyloric obstruction, and intractable disease; signs of hemorrhage include vomiting bright red or coffee-ground blood (hematemesis) and dark, “tarry” stools (melena).
What are the ABCDE features that nurses use to assess skin lesions for possible malignancy?
Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6 mm, and Evolving/changing features.
Best practices for this therapy include comparing each solution bag with the prescription, monitoring electrolytes and glucose daily, never ‘catching up’ if the infusion is behind, changing tubing every 24 hours, and having a second nurse verify the prescription before administration
What is total parenteral nutrition (TPN) care and maintenance? (box 52.9)
After conventional surgery for a hiatal hernia repair, what nursing interventions focus on preventing respiratory complications by promoting lung expansion and supporting the incision during coughing?
Elevate the head of the bed at least 30 degrees, assist the patient out of bed for early ambulation, and support the incision during coughing.
What key signs and symptoms should a nurse assess in a patient with acute glomerulonephritis, including skin, fluid status, urine changes, and cardiovascular findings?
Edema (face, eyelids, hands), fluid overload, pulmonary edema, crackles in lung fields, S3 heart sound, neck vein distention, changes in urine color or volume (smoky, reddish-brown, rusty, or cola-colored), dysuria, oliguria, weight gain, mild to moderate hypertension, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting.
What type of precautions are used for patients with infections like MRSA, VRE, C. difficile, lice, or scabies that are transmitted by direct or environmental contact?
Contact Precautions
What are key strategies patients should follow to prevent skin cancer and detect early changes in lesions?
Avoid midday sun, avoid tanning beds, wear protective clothing and hats, use sunscreen, perform monthly self-exams, maintain a body map with photos of lesions, and contact a healthcare provider if lesions change in color, size, shape, texture, or sensation.
This intestinal organism is the most common cause of pyelonephritis in community-dwelling adults.
What is Escherichia coli (E. coli)