Safety & Priorities
Earliest clinical sign of hypoxia nurses should watch for.
What is restlessness/irritability (before cyanosis)?
The most specific cardiac biomarker for MI and how it’s used.
What is Troponin?
Purpose of the water‑seal chamber.
One‑way valve: allows air to leave the pleural space and prevents backflow.
ARDS hallmark about oxygenation
Severe hypoxemia refractory to conventional oxygen therapy.
Which lab evaluates the extrinsic pathway and warfarin effect?
What is PT/INR?
You enter and find the COPD patient more drowsy with low RR. Priority?
Assess airway and breathing, and check SpO₂/ABG. Prepare for controlled oxygen.
Door‑to‑balloon time goal for STEMI (Percutaneous Coronary Interventions).
≤ 90 minutes.
Drainage suddenly stops in the first post‑op hour. First nursing check.
Check for kinks/occlusions and assess the patient; verify system below the chest and connections secure.
Fluid strategy generally preferred in ARDS once perfusion adequate
Conservative fluid management to reduce pulmonary edema.
Which lab evaluates the intrinsic pathway and the heparin effect?
What is aPTT?
Post‑procedure with moderate sedation: the one assessment you never stop trending first.
What is airway patency and ventilation/oxygenation?
Two long‑term secondary‑prevention meds after MI (name two classes).
High‑intensity statin and antiplatelet (plus β‑blocker, ACEi/ARB as indicated).
Accidental dislodgement at the insertion site—your immediate action.
Apply an occlusive dressing taped on three sides and assess for respiratory distress; notify the provider.
One reason lung compliance is reduced in ARDS.
Diffuse alveolar damage with edema/translucent membranes, causing stiff lungs.
The therapeutic INR range is often targeted for many indications on warfarin (institution‑dependent).
Typically ~2.0–3.0 (follow local policy/orders).
Sepsis with suspected pneumonia: priority timed action after cultures.
What is the start time, and what are the appropriate prescribed antibiotics and fluids/oxygen?
Post-PCI with stent: The medication class combination is critical to prevent stent thrombosis.
Dual antiplatelet therapy
Significance of subcutaneous emphysema around the site.
Air leak into tissues; assess severity and system function; notify provider if expanding.
Name two common precipitating causes of ARDS.
Sepsis and aspiration. (Others: severe pneumonia, major trauma/burns, pancreatitis, massive transfusion/TRALI, near-drowning.)
Rising lactate in suspected shock means what physiologically?
Worsening tissue hypoperfusion & anaerobic metabolism.
Patient on home O₂ asks about candles for a party, your safest teaching in one line.
No open flames/heat near oxygen; strict fire safety at all times.
Stable angina home plan: one fast‑acting med and one lifestyle change.
Sublingual nitroglycerin PRN; smoking cessation (or exercise/diet per cardiac rehab).
When (if ever) to strip/milk chest tubes.
Generally avoided; only if ordered and per policy due to tissue injury risk.
In lung-protective ventilation, PaCO₂ levels are rising. What pH range is typically acceptable with permissive hypercapnia, and what’s one way to respond if pH falls below this range without increasing tidal volume?
Remember: Tidal volume is the amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs with each normal breath.
Target pH ≥ ~7.20. If the pH drops lower, there will be an increase in the respiratory rate. Consider buffering (e.g., bicarbonate) as per orders.
One way to reduce contrast‑induced kidney injury.
To ensure adequate hydration and minimize contrast dose, consider avoiding nephrotoxins.