FINAL EXAM Flashcards
What does PQRSTU mean?
Pain, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing, Understanding
socioeconomic factors contributing to low health literacy
vocabulary use, living arrangements, family influences,
scope of practice for UAP
UAP can assist with positioning the patients in the later recovery position, obtain vitals, assist patients with elimination needs and assist in the transfer of patients to the clinical unit
lab values and ranges Potassium Sodium Magnesium Chloride Calcium
Potassium 3.5-5.0 Sodium 136-145 Magnesium 1.3-2.1 Chloride 98-106 Calcium 9 -10.5
2, 3, 4-point gait and swing through
right foot and left crutch are advanced together
2 point gait
2, 3, 4-point gait and swing through
both crutches and affected leg advance together
3 point gait
Differentiate anuria, dysuria, oliguria
failure to produce urine (less than 100 mL in 24 hours)
anuria
Differentiate anuria, dysuria, oliguria
pain or discomfort when urinating
dysuria
Differentiate anuria, dysuria, oliguria
low urine output (100-400 mL in 24 hours)
oliguria
What are precautions for patients with TB
- airborne precautions
- N95 mask,
- negative airflow
- Private room
How would you teach a patient with COPD how to breathe?
Pursed lip breathing, tripod position and use of accessory muscles
2, 3, 4-point gait and swing through
the left crutch is moved forward, then the right lower extremity, followed by the right crutch, and then the left lower extremity.
4 point gait
Which herbal supplements/foods interact with medications?
Astragalus, ginseng
increase BP
Which herbal supplements/foods interact with medications?
Garlic, vitamin E, gingko, fish oil
increase bleeding
Which herbal supplements/foods interact with medications?
St. John’s wort
increase anesthesia recovery time
Which herbal supplements/foods interact with medications?
Kava, valerian
excess sedation
What respiratory complication is associates with
wheezing, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, SOB and variable airflow obstruction
asthma
What respiratory complication is associates with
high pitched wheezing sound caused by airway obstruction
stridor
What respiratory complication is associates with
High-pitched, musical squeaking sounds that sound polyphonic (multiple notes as in
a musical chord); predominate in expiration
wheezing
What respiratory complication is associates with
Discontinuous, high-pitched, short crackling, popping sounds heard during inspiration that are not cleared by coughing caused by excess fluid
crackles
Small or Large pneumothorax?
mild tachycardia and dyspnea, absent breath sounds over affected area
small pneumothorax
Small or Large pneumothorax?
respiratory distress, shallow rapid respirations, dyspnea, air hunger, oxygen desaturation
large pneumothorax
What are some s/sx of MI?
Pressure or tightness in chest, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, dizziness, tachycardia, pain in chest, back or jaw.
Differentiate heart sounds (s1, s2, s3, s4)
soft lubb sound associated with the closure of the tricuspid and mitral valves.
S1
Differentiate heart sounds (s1, s2, s3, s4)
sharp dupp sound associated with the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves.
S2
Differentiate heart sounds (s1, s2, s3, s4)
low intensity vibration of ventricular walls usually associated with decreased compliance of ventricles filling but may be normal in young adults.
S3
Differentiate heart sounds (s1, s2, s3, s4)
low frequency vibration caused by atrial contraction, pathologic but may be normal in old adults. Also known as an atrial gallop.
S4
What defines a turbulent blood flow that causes buzzing or humming?
bruit
What are abnormal pulsations that can be felt?
thrill
What position is best to listen for extra heart sounds
left lateral decubitus position.
What release substances that either stimulate or inhibit the formation and release groups of hormones from the pituitary gland.
hypothalamus
What controls metabolism, growth, sexual maturation, reproduction, blood pressure
of the hormone melatonin
pituitary
What gland produces produces thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin
thyroid
What gland regulates calcium level
parathyroid
What glands are composed of the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla
adrenal glands
What hormone-secreting portion of the pancreas is the islets of Langerhans
What cells make and secrete insulin and amylin?
pancreas
B cells
If the patient is going under CT or MRI and IV contrast is used what should the nurse check for?
check for iodine and shellfish allergy
If the patient is going under a MRI check for what?
magnetic, pacemaker
What deficiency of thyroid hormone that causes a general slowing of the metabolic rate
hypothyroidism
What hyperactivity of the thyroid gland with sustained increase in synthesis and release of thyroid hormone?
What is the most common name for this
hyperthyroidism, most common form is Grave’s disease
What are s/sx of hypothyroidism
fatigue, lethargic, personality and mental changes, impaired memory, slowed speech, decreased initiative, somnolence, depression, weight gain, drowsiness, sluggishness, myxedema
How do you perform a glucose tolerance test
Patient drinks 75 g of glucose, samples for glucose are drawn at baseline and at 30, 60, and 120 min.
Test takes 2 hour to complete
What test indicates the amount of glucose linked to hemoglobin?
Hgb A1C Test
What are some risks involved and effects on calcium when the patient is having thyroid surgery?
- Monitor for Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s sign
- Expect hoarseness for 3 or 4 days because of edema
- Respiration can become difficult b/c of excess welling of neck tissues, hemorrhage and hematoma formation
- Laryngeal stridor (harsh, vibratory sound) occur during inspiration and expiration b/c of edema of the laryngeal nerve
A young adult patient is being seen in the clinic with increased secretion of the anterior pituitary hormones. The nurse would expect the laboratory test results to show
a. increased urinary cortisol.
b. decreased serum thyroxine.
c. elevated serum aldosterone levels.
d. low urinary catecholamines excretion.
ANS: A
Increased secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the anterior pituitary gland will lead to an increase in serum and urinary cortisol levels. An increase, rather than a decrease, in thyroxine level would be expected with increased secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) by the anterior pituitary. Aldosterone and catecholamine levels are not controlled by the anterior pituitary.
Which statement by a 50-yr-old female patient indicates to the nurse that further assessment of thyroid function may be necessary?
a. “I notice my breasts are tender lately.”
b. “I am so thirsty that I drink all day long.”
c. “I get up several times at night to urinate.”
d. “I feel a lump in my throat when I swallow.”
ANS: D
Difficulty in swallowing can occur with a goiter. Nocturia is associated with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, or chronic kidney disease. Breast tenderness would occur with excessive gonadal hormone levels. Thirst is a sign of disease such as diabetes.
A patient seen in the emergency department for severe headache and acute confusion has a serum sodium level of 118 mEq/L. The nurse will anticipate the need for which diagnostic test?
a. Urinary 17-ketosteroids
b. Antidiuretic hormone level
c. Growth hormone stimulation test
d. Adrenocorticotropic hormone level
ANS: B
Elevated levels of antidiuretic hormone will cause water retention and decrease serum sodium levels. The other tests would not be helpful in determining possible causes of the patient’s hyponatremia.
Which question from a nurse during a patient interview will provide focused information about a possible thyroid disorder?
a. “What methods do you use to help cope with stress?”
b. “Have you experienced any blurring or double vision?”
c. “Have you had a recent unplanned weight gain or loss?”
d. “Do you have to get up at night to empty your bladder?”
ANS: C
Because thyroid function affects metabolic rate, changes in weight may indicate hyperfunction or hypofunction of the thyroid gland. Nocturia, visual difficulty, and changes in stress level are associated with other endocrine disorders.
A patient will be scheduled in the outpatient clinic for blood cortisol testing. Which instruction will the nurse provide?
a. “Avoid adding any salt to your foods for 24 hours before the test.”
b. “You will need to lie down for 30 minutes before the blood is drawn.”
c. “Come to the laboratory to have the blood drawn early in the morning.”
d. “Do not have anything to eat or drink before the blood test is obtained.”
ANS: C
Cortisol levels are usually drawn in the morning, when levels are highest. The other instructions would be given to patients who were having other endocrine testing.
A 61-yr-old female patient admitted with pneumonia has a total serum calcium level of 13.3 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L). The nurse will anticipate the need to teach the patient about testing for _____ levels.
a. calcitonin c.thyroid hormone
b. catecholamine d.parathyroid hormone
ANS: D Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the major controller of blood calcium levels. Although calcitonin secretion is a counter mechanism to PTH, it does not play a major role in calcium balance. Catecholamine and thyroid hormone levels do not affect serum calcium level.
During the nurse’s physical examination of a young adult, the patient’s thyroid gland cannot be felt. The most appropriate action by the nurse is to
a. palpate the patient’s neck more deeply.
b. document that the thyroid was nonpalpable.
c. notify the health care provider immediately.
d. teach the patient about thyroid hormone testing.
ANS: B
The thyroid is frequently nonpalpable. The nurse should simply document the finding. There is no need to notify the health care provider immediately about a normal finding. There is no indication for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) testing unless there is evidence of thyroid dysfunction. Deep palpation of the neck is not appropriate.
Which laboratory value should the nurse review to determine whether a patient’s hypothyroidism is caused by a problem with the anterior pituitary gland or with the thyroid gland?
a. Thyroxine (T4) level
b. Triiodothyronine (T3) level
c. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level
d. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) level
ANS: C
A low TSH level indicates that the patient’s hypothyroidism is caused by decreased anterior pituitary secretion of TSH. Low T3and T4 levels are not diagnostic of the primary cause of the hypothyroidism. TRH levels indicate the function of the hypothalamus.
The nurse reviews a patient’s glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) results to evaluate
a. fasting preprandial glucose levels.
b. glucose levels 2 hours after a meal.
c. glucose control over the past 90 days.
d. hypoglycemic episodes in the past 3 months.
ANS: C
Glycosylated hemoglobin testing measures glucose control over the last 3 months. Glucose testing before/after a meal or random testing may reveal impaired glucose tolerance and indicate prediabetes, but it is not done on patients who already have a diagnosis of diabetes. There is no test to evaluate for hypoglycemic episodes in the past.
A patient is taking spironolactone (Aldactone), a drug that blocks the action of aldosterone on the kidney, for hypertension. The nurse will monitor for
a. increased serum sodium.
b. decreased urinary output.
c. elevated serum potassium.
d. evidence of fluid overload.
ANS: C
Because aldosterone increases the excretion of potassium, a medication that blocks aldosterone will tend to cause hyperkalemia. Aldosterone also promotes the reabsorption of sodium and water in the renal tubules, so spironolactone will tend to cause increased urine output, a decreased or normal serum sodium level, and signs of dehydration.
A patient has been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which information about the patient will be most useful to the nurse who is helping the patient develop strategies for successful adaptation to this disease?
a. Ideal weight c. Activity level
b. Value system d. Visual changes
ANS: B
When dealing with a patient with a chronic condition such as diabetes, identification of the patient’s values and beliefs can assist the interprofessional team in choosing strategies for successful lifestyle change. The other information also will be useful but is not as important in developing an individualized plan for the necessary lifestyle changes.