Cognitive and Sensory Alterations
Which lobe of the brain is responsible for executive functions such as planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and voluntary motor movement?
What is the frontal lobe?
What is the name of the infection that causes inflammation in the lungs and can lead to fluid or exudate filling the alveoli?
What is pneumonia?
Which electrolyte is the primary determinant of extracellular fluid osmolality and plays a major role in regulating fluid balance?
What is sodium?
Intaking adequate amounts of ________ helps prevent constipation.
What are fluids?
What is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood and forming urine?
What is the Nephron?
A patient understands what the nurse is saying but struggles to form words and speak fluently. What type of aphasia does the nurse suspect?
What is expressive aphasia (Broca's aphasia)?
The nurse presses on a patient's fingernail and observes that color takes four seconds to return. What might this finding indicate?
What is decreased peripheral perfusion or impaired circulation?
What is the normal reference range for total serum calcium in most adults?
What is 8.5–10.5 mg/dL?
In what order should the nurse perform an abdominal assessment? Why does this differ from assessing other body systems?
What are inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation? Auscultation occurs before percussion and palpation because these can alter bowel sounds.
A patient reports difficulty urinating while using a bedpan in the hospital. Before trying other interventions, what simple nursing action may help promote urination?
What is providing privacy and allowing the patient adequate time to urinate?
What type of sensory receptors in the skin detect changes in temperature, such as heat and cold?
What are warm receptors?
A patient taking an anticoagulant is at increased risk for what major adverse effect?
A patient taking a diuretic develops dizziness, hypotension, and decreased urine output. What fluid-related complication should the nurse suspect?
What is Hypovolemia?
A patient develops frequent watery diarrhea after receiving antibiotics. Which bacterial infection should the nurse suspect, and what type of precautions are needed?
What is Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), requiring contact precautions and appropriate handwashing with soap and water?
A patient has an indwelling Foley catheter. What nursing diagnosis related to the catheter should the nurse consider because the device provides a pathway for microorganisms to enter the urinary tract?
What is Risk for infection?
When assessing cranial nerve I, the olfactory nerve, how should the nurse test this?
What is having the patient close their eyes, occluding one nostril at a time, and identifying a familiar, nonirritating scent with each nostril?
What is the difference between circulation and perfusion?
Circulation is the movement of blood through the cardiovascular system; perfusion is the delivery of oxygenated blood to tissues.
A cell uses ATP to move sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell against their concentration gradients. What process is occurring?
What is active transport, specifically the sodium-potassium pump?
An older adult reports infrequent bowel movements and constipation. What age-related gastrointestinal change can contribute to this problem?
What is decreased peristalsis?
What type of technique must the nurse use when inserting an indwelling urinary catheter in an acute-care setting to reduce the risk of introducing microorganisms?
What is sterile technique?
An older hospitalized patient who was alert and oriented yesterday suddenly becomes confused, has difficulty maintaining attention, and experiences fluctuating levels of awareness.
What is delirium?
A 55-year-old patient smokes, has hypertension, elevated LDL cholesterol, and a sedentary lifestyle. These are risk factors for which disease?
What is coronary artery disease?
A hospitalized patient is at risk for fluid volume excess or deficit. Which routine measurement is considered the most sensitive indicator of changes in overall fluid balance when obtained consistently under the same conditions?
What is daily body weight?
A patient with a new ileostomy asks what the stool output will look like.
What is loose, watery stool?
In addition to producing urine, name two important functions of the kidneys that help maintain homeostasis.
What are regulating fluid and electrolyte balance, maintaining acid-base balance, regulating blood pressure, producing erythropoietin, or activating vitamin D?