Common Diagnoses Flashcards
Atrial Fibrillation
Irregular heartbeat, sometimes resulting in a fast heart rate. Increased risk of stroke.
Pneumonia
Acute inflammation of the lungs caused by a bacterial, viral, mycoplasmal, fungal, protozoal, or mycobacterial infection.
Crohn’s Disease
Inflammatory disorder affecting mostly the distal ileum and colon. Crohn’s disease results in the malabsorption of water and nutrients, which may lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
COPD
Lung disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation resulting from small-airway disease and parenchymal destruction.
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas; pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain; most common sign is abdo pain
Diabetes mellitus
Chronic disease characterized by insufficient production of insulin in the pancreas or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Type 1 = lack of insulin production. Type 2 = body’s ineffective use of insulin.
Heart Failure
Heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s oxygen and nutrient demands.
Urinary Tract Infection
Common kidney infection due to a lack of proper hygiene and indwelling catheters
Asthma
Common inflammatory disorder of the airway characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness, mucus hyper-secretion, and reversible airflow limitation.
Coronary Artery Disease
Accumulation of plaque within coronary arteries, which progressively enlarge, thicken and calcify
Cerebrovascular Accident
Stroke resulting in the sudden impairment of cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels supplying the brain which causes hemorrhage from a tear in the vessel wall or impairs the cerebral circulation by a partial or complete occlusion of the vessel lumen
Kidney Disease
Marked by end stage renal disease which is a permanent loss of function of the kidneys. Patients typically excrete little or no urine and are unable to properly fill out excess electrolytes in their blood.
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Loss of brain function that occurs when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood.
Abdominal Aneurysm
An enlarged area in the lower part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body.
Nursing Care For Atrial Fibrillation
Provide anticoagulation (warfarin)
Nursing Care For Pneumonia
Provide antibiotics, coughing, deep breathing, droplet precautions
Nursing Care For Crohn’s Disease
Monitor intake + output, lab values
Nursing Care For COPD
Keep SPO2 88-92%, short acting inhaled bronchodilators (Ventolin), auscultate lungs, monitor for SOB
Nursing Care For Pancreatitis
NPO, parenteral nutrition, NG tube for suction/relieving nausea + vomiting
Nursing Care For Diabetes
Insulin administration, monitor for S/S of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia
Nursing Care For Heart Failure
Administer diuretics, monitor HR and BP
Nursing Care For UTI
Oral or IV antibiotics
Nursing Care For Asthma
Support ABC’s, administer corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisone, etc.), puffers
Nursing Care For Coronary Artery Disease
Monitor for chest pain, prep for CABG
Nursing Care For Cerebral Vascular Accident
Monitor neuro status, administration of antithrombolytic (if clot present), monitor BP
Nursing Care For Kidney Disease
Monitor electrolytes, BP, and creatinine
Nursing Care For Hepatic Encephalopathy
Monitor ammonia levels, monitor LOC, administer lactulose
Nursing Care For Abdominal Aneurysm
Monitor for signs of rupture, prep for surgery, NPO
