Medical-Surgical Nursing
This critical-thinking framework guides nurses through assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
What is the nursing process?
The primary goal of care for patients with chronic illness is not cure but this outcome.
What is maximizing function and quality of life?
The most reliable indicator of pain intensity is this source.
What is the patient's self-report?
Tachycardia, hypotension, decreased urine output, and poor skin turgor suggest this condition.
What is fluid volume deficit (hypovolemia)?
A nurse assesses emotional exhaustion, depression, and social isolation in family members. The nurse is evaluating for this phenomenon.
What is caregiver burden?
A postoperative patient develops stridor and difficulty breathing. This nursing priority framework would place airway concerns first.
What is the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) approach?
This process involves psychological and behavioral adjustments to long-term health changes.
What is adaptation to chronic illness?
Pain lasting longer than 3 months and persisting beyond expected healing time is classified as this type.
What is chronic pain?
Peaked T waves on an ECG are a hallmark sign of this electrolyte imbalance.
What is hyperkalemia?
This interdisciplinary process seeks to restore optimal physical, psychological, social, and vocational functioning.
What is rehabilitation?
The integration of best current research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences in care decisions.
What is evidence-based practice?
This model focuses on societal barriers and environmental limitations rather than individual impairments.
What is the social model of disability?
Burning, shooting, or electric-shock sensations are characteristic of this category of pain.
What is neuropathic pain?
A patient with prolonged vomiting develops loss of gastric acid and is at risk for this acid-base disorder.
What is metabolic alkalosis?
Older adults are at increased risk for excessive sedation, respiratory depression, confusion, constipation, and falls when receiving these medications.
What are opioids?
This team-based approach improves patient outcomes by coordinating care among nurses, physicians, pharmacists, therapists, and social workers.
What is interprofessional collaboration?
Teaching patients to monitor symptoms, adhere to treatment plans, and manage lifestyle changes promotes this concept.
What is self-management?
This assessment takes priority before administering an opioid analgesic.
What is respiratory status assessment?
A patient with heart failure develops crackles, peripheral edema, jugular venous distention, a sodium level of 128 mEq/L, and gains 4 pounds in 48 hours.
What is fluid volume excess with dilutional hyponatremia?
Milk, yogurt, cheese, nuts, seeds, beans, and organ meats are foods high in this electrolyte.
What is phosphorus?
This national initiative emphasizes competencies such as patient-centered care, teamwork, safety, quality improvement, and informatics.
What is QSEN (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses)?
A nurse helps a patient with multiple sclerosis develop exercise and energy-conservation strategies. This level of prevention is being used.
What is tertiary prevention?
Relaxation, guided imagery, distraction, and music therapy are examples of this pain-management approach.
What are nonpharmacologic interventions?
This electrolyte imbalance commonly presents with headache, confusion, lethargy, muscle cramps, nausea, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness due to cerebral edema.
What is hyponatremia?
A patient experiencing anxiety-induced hyperventilation develops lightheadedness, dizziness, circumoral numbness, and tingling in the fingers. These findings are characteristic of this acid-base disorder.
What is respiratory alkalosis?