Heart & Electrolyte Heroes
This irregular heart rhythm is characterized by a “quivering” atria.
What is atrial fibrillation (A-fib)?
Chronic cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing are signs of this lung disease.
What is COPD?
Kidneys slowly lose their ability to filter waste and balance fluids over time in this condition.
What is chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
Swollen, stiff, and painful joints, especially in hands and feet, suggest this autoimmune disease.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Reviewing labs, allergies, and patient history, and confirming consent and NPO status are all part of this nursing responsibility before surgery.
What is preoperative nursing?
This deadly rhythm involves chaotic, uncoordinated ventricular contractions.
What is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)?
Reversible airway narrowing causes wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness in this condition.
What is asthma?
This treatment filters blood outside the body for patients with kidney failure.
What is hemodialysis?
Widespread pain, fatigue, and tender points describe this chronic condition.
What is fibromyalgia?
A patient presents with opportunistic infections, low CD4 count, and severe immunodeficiency. This stage of HIV infection is called…
What is AIDS?
High potassium levels can cause this change on an ECG.
What are peaked T waves?
Air trapped in the pleural space can collapse the lung; this is called…
What is a pneumothorax?
Severe flank pain, nausea, and blood in urine are classic signs of this.
What is renal calculi (kidney stones)?
Even after a limb is removed, a patient may still feel sensations or pain in that missing limb. This phenomenon is called…
What is phantom limb pain?
Dysuria, urinary frequency, and suprapubic tenderness are classic signs, often confirmed by a positive urine culture. This infection is called…
What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
Confusion, headache, nausea, and muscle cramps are common signs of this electrolyte imbalance.
What is hyponatremia?
COPD patients often retain CO₂, causing this acid-base imbalance.
What is respiratory acidosis?
Excessive urination and extreme thirst due to low ADH is this condition.
What is diabetes insipidus?
When pressure builds inside a muscle space, it can restrict blood flow, causing severe pain, swelling, and tissue damage. This medical emergency is called…
What is compartment syndrome?
During this type of anesthesia, the patient is unconscious and cannot respond to stimuli. Nurses must monitor airway, breathing, and circulation closely throughout the procedure.
What is general anesthesia?
Rapid heart rate, dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath signal this dangerous rhythm.
What is ventricular tachycardia (V-tach)?
Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, and low oxygen may signal this serious respiratory problem.
What is pulmonary embolism?
A patient presents with heat intolerance, tremors, palpitations, and elevated T3/T4 levels. This endocrine disorder is likely responsible.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Sudden, severe joint pain in the big toe from uric acid crystals is called…
What is gout?
This orthopedic treatment uses pins or wires inserted into bone to maintain alignment, requiring careful monitoring for infection, neurovascular compromise, and skin breakdown.
What is skeletal traction?