Adult Health Exam I Flashcards
red blood cell count
- normal = men: 4.5-5.5/women: 4.1-5.1
- increase d/t = disease, hypoxia, any increased need for oxygen
- decrease d/t = abnormal loss of erthyrocytes, lack of hormones to stimulate red blood cell production
Hemoglobin
- composed of the pigment heme which contains iron heme and a protein globin
- normal= men: 13-17/women: 12-16
- increases d/t = polycythemia and hemoconcentration
decreases d/t = anemia, hemorrhage, hemodilution - Hemoglobin is not affected by hydration
Hematocrit
- proportion of RBCs in the blood
- normal = men: 37-51%/women: 33-46%
- increases d/t = dehydration, bone marrow disease
- decreases d/t = anemia, pregnancy, over-hydration, recent blood loss
- hematocrit is affected by hydration status
Platelet
- fragments of cytoplasm which aggregate and release a substance that begins the coagulation cascade
- normal = 150,000 - 450,000
- increase d/t = tumors, lesions, malignant neoplasm
- decrease d/t = can be idiopathic, d/t viral infections, lupus, anemias, chemo drugs, radiation, spleen, heparin
white blood cells
- total white blood cell count = absolute count of WBCs per mm^3
- differential of % of each of the 5 types of WBC
- normal = 4,500 - 11,100
- increases seen with infection or severe stress or some versions of cancer
Neutrophils
- 2 types: bands or stabs and segmented neutrophils
- both rise as a defense against infection
- neutropenia is a results of certain infections
eosinophils
- associated with antigen-antibody reactions
- rise related allergies
- decline in states of elevated adrenal steroids
basophils
- rare type of wbc
- rise d/t cancer
- decline during allergic reactions
lymphocytes
- T&B cells, natural killer cells
- rise in viral infections
- chronic bacterial infections
- decline in HIV/AIDs
monocytes
- present in tissues as macrophages
- act as phagocytes in some chronic inflammatory diseases and will be elevated in those cases
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- urea nitrogen in the blood, can reflect hydration status or renal function when looked at in conjunction with creatinine
- normal = 8-21 mg/dL
- increase d/t = seen in kidney damage, decreased renal perfusion caused by poor circulation to kidneys & severe dehydration d/t lack of volume to excrete waste products
- decrease d/t = over hydration
Creatinine
- waste product of creatinine phosphate from muscle
- morning values matter d/t physical activity
- normal = 0.5-1.2 mg/dL
- increase d/t = poor kidney function, dehydration, nephron damage
- decrease d/t = muscle atrophy, aging, liver disease, protein restricted diet and pregnancy
Glucose
- normal = 70-110 mg/dL
- increase d/t = diabetes, stress, glucocorticoids, growth, pregnancy, epinephrine
- decrease d/t = organic disease, pancreatic tumor, ETOH, lack of cortisone
- if blood sugar is above about 160-190 mg/dL glucose will spill into urine
- venous blood sugars are 10-15% higher than finger stick
Prothrombin aka clotting factor 2
- a plasma protein produced by liver
- vitamin K is required for the production of prothrombin by liver and is often used when a patient has a elevated PT/INR
Prothrombin time (PT)
- expressed as time in seconds (normal: 11.2-13.2 seconds)
- increased d/t = medications (heparin, eliquist, xarelto, prodaxa), liver, vitamin K deficiency
- decreased d/t = thrombophlebitis, malignant tumor
International Normalized Ratio (INR)
- used because PT can differ based on reagent used
- normal = 1.0 -1.4
- therapeutic range = 2-3
Partial Thromboplastin Time
- two purposes = clot factor, monitor heparin therapy
- normal = 22.1 -34.1 seconds for activated, 60-90 seconds for non-activated
Urinalysis normals
- specific gravity – urine concentration, 1.001-1.035
- RBCs and WBCs – indicate infection or injury, none to few
- Leukocyte esterase – negative
- protein – negative
- glucose – negative
- pH – 5-9
UA component for diagnosis of UTI
- pH is alkaline
- sediment = urine is centrifuged and examined for RBC and WBC, normal is none to few
- bacteria = only a few is usually contamination, many indicate infection
- leukocyte esterase = enzyme that if present is indicative of a UTI but can also show inflammation or kidney disease
fluid and electrolyte imbalances
- can be caused by illness or disease – heart failure, burns
- can be a result of therapeutic measures – diuretics, IV fluids
- usually more than one imbalance is occurring in a clinical setting
Insensible loss of fluid
- invisible vaporization – lungs and skin (sweat)
- electrolytes can also be lost
- approximately 600-900ml/day is lost
- daily weight to track fluid amount
GI tract regulating fluids
- oral intake accounts for most water
- small amounts of H20 eliminated by GI tract in feces
- vomit, diarrhea, NG suction can lead to significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances
Extracellular hypervolemia
- extracellular fluid volume excess
- excessive intake of fluids
- related to heart and renal failure
- interstitial to plasma fluid shift
- treatment = remove fluid without changing electrolyte composition or osmolality of ECF
Extracellular hypovolemia
- ECF volume deficit
- d/t diarrhea, fistula drainage, hemorrhage, inadequate intake, plasma to interstitial fluid shift
- treatment = IV fluids, oral intake
How do we measure I&O?
- intake = PO fluids, IV fluids, tube feeding
- output = urine, liquid stool, vomit, drainage, sweat, respiration
- measured every 8 hours, daily weights
- urine output for an adult = 30 ml
Assessment for fluid overload
- vital signs = increased HR, increased BP, dysrhythmias
- respiratory status = crackles, shallow rapid respiration
- hydration status = edema, pale/cool skin, enlarged liver, ascites
- neuro = level of alertness, confusion, restlessness, muscle weakness/spasms, visual changes, and a headache
- possible causes of fluid overload = over hydration, heart and renal failure
assessment for fluid deficiency
- vital signs = tachycardia, weak pulse, dysrhythmias
- respiratory status = tachypnea, dyspnea
- hydration status = skin turgor, intake and output, moisture in mucous membranes of mouth, nose and eyelids, decreased bowel sounds/constipation, thirst
- neuro = altered level of alertness, dizziness/syncope, muscle weakness, restlessness
- possible causes = vomit, diarrhea, trauma, poor intake, exercise, fluid shifts, polyuria, burns, diuretics, drains
Interventions for fluid balance
- monitor I&O, weight
- manage causes
- medications – antiemetic, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, antibiotic
- replacement of fluids (IV and PO) and electrolytes
- seizure precautions d/t electrolyte imbalance
- prevent skin breakdown
- ensure safety
Lab value assessment for fluid baalnce
- lab reports reflect only serum levels
- may not reflect the status of electrolytes in individual cells
- examine the latest lab data and note trends
Hypernatremia (Na+ >145mEq/L) Causes
- occurs during water loss = insensible loss, inadequate h20 intake, vomit, diarrhea, decreased renal response, to ADH, diuresis, fluid shift to extracellular space
- occurs during sodium gain = medication administration, primary hyperaldosteronism, sodium intake w/o water, overdose with hypertonic solution
Clinical manifestations of hypernatremia
- neurological = restlessness, agitation, twitching, lethargy, seizures, coma, weakness
- cardiovascular = postural hypotension, increased pulse, peripheral and pulmonary edema, increased blood pressure
- integumentary = flushed, dry skin, dry swollen tongue, extreme thirst
Treatment of hypernatremia
- should be corrected slowly to reduce the risk of brain swelling
- water replacement – oral replacement, IV fluids
- nursing interventions
Hyponatremia (Na+ <135 mEq/L) Causes
- occurs during water gain = syndrome inappropriate anti diuretic hormone, congestive heart failure, increased intake
- occurs during sodium loss = GI losses, renal losses, skin losses
Clinical Manifestations of Hyponatremia
- water gain = headache, apathy, weakness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, increased blood pressure, muscle spasms, seizures, coma
- sodium loss = increased irritability, apprehension, confusion, postural hypotension, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, tremors, seizures, coma
Treatment of hyponatremia
- cellular swelling related to cerebral edema, first manifested in the CNS
- can cause irreversible neuro damage if Na+ drops rapidly
- can attempt to increase serum sodium by 4-6 mEq/L over the first 1-2 hours
Hyperkalemia K+ > 5.0
- common causes = excess K+ intake, shift of K+ out of cells (metabolic acidosis), failure to eliminate K+ (kidney disease)
Clinical manifestations of hyperkalemia
- irritability or anxiety
- abdominal cramping
- diarrhea
- muscle weakness in lower extremities
- paresthesias – numbness and tingling
- cardiac changes – irregular pulse, cardiac arrest if sudden onset
- EKG changes – peak T waves, prolonged PR, loss of P and widening of the QRS
arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation
Treatment of hyperkalemia
- IV = calcium gluconate, sodium bicarbonate, dextrose and regular insulin (moves K+ inside the cell, maintain blood sugar)
- PO = sodium polystyrene sulfonate
Interventions for hyperkalemia
- mild hyperkalemia = monitor telemetry, eliminate oral and parenteral K+, encourage fluids and monitor I&O
- moderate to severe hyperkalemia = dialysis and medications