NCLEX General Flashcards
What is minimum urine output? Anything lower than this value may be indicative of what?
30ml/hr, anything less may indicate low vascular volume, low cardiac output, decreased renal perfusion
What is Guillain-Barre syndrome?
Immune disorder in which your body attacks your nerves, initial symptoms include muscle weakness and tingling.. spreads quickly and can result in total body paralysis.
- Most life-threatening element to this disease is neuromuscular respiratory failure!
What IV site is best for reduced risk of infection?
dorsal surface of HAND, most distal upper extremities are the best.
- lower extremities are the last resort.
- the more proximal site on the arm, the higher the risk. Hand is best.
What IV site is best for trauma/emergency pts?
ACF, large gauge IVs in preparation for large fluid boluses or blood transfusions
A patient is ordered a blood transfusion but has no IV access. What gauge and site do you insert an IV?
ACF, #18 gauge
IV Infiltration vs. Extravasation?
Infiltration: IV cannula moves out of the vein and fluid is administered into the tissue surrounding the vein instead of in the vein itself, causing swelling. (INTERSTITIAL)
Extravasation: a vesicant (irritant) is accidentally administered into tissue surrounding a vein, causing severe pain, blanching and tissue damage. IV infusion must be stopped immediately. (INTERSTITIAL WITH IRRITANT)
You are administering norepinephrine through PIV and the client complains of severe pain, the vein is blanching. What is the antidote for extravasation?
EXTRAVASATION: Norepinephrine = Vesicant
- stop infusion immediately, disconnect IV tubing, aspirate IV and remove cannula
- raise effected limb above heart to reduce edema
- contact HCP and get order for PHENTOLAMINE SC in surrounding tissue (vasodilator, antidote for extravasation)
A client has an arrhythmia and has tried many medications to correct it and none have worked. What is the last resort medication for arrhythmia and why is it the LAST resort?
AMIODARONE, higher incident of lung toxicity. S+S: - dyspnea - dry cough - pleuritic chest pain
How to treat hypothermia/frost bite? (3)
DO NOT MASSAGE, injured tissue is easily damaged.
- provide adequate analgesia
- continuous warm water soaks
- elevate effected limb after rewarming as limb can become very edematous and may blister
Two common medications for allergies?
- diphenhydramine (benadryl)
- loratadine (claritin)
Common medications for nausea/emesis? (3)
- dimenhydrinate (gravol)
- ondansetron (zofran)
- metaclopramide (maxeran)
Common medications for bronchospasm/asthma exacerbation? (4)
- ipatropium (atrovent)
- salbutamol (ventolin)
- budoneside (pulmicort)
- corticosteroids
What do you assess for hepatic encephalopathy?
- ammonia levels
- hand tremors with arms extended (asterixis)
- mental status changes
What is asterixis?
flapping hand tremors when arms extended
Signs and symptoms of increased ICP?
N/V Headache restlessness change in mentation seizures
above what level of creatinine would we become concerned about kidney injury?
1.3
what are some factors that increase risk of high Creatinine and kidney injury?
Old age NPO dehydration fluid loss intra-op antibiotics
What is the fastest treatment of severe hyperkalemia?
50ml D5W +10u insulin IV
What are signs of peritonitis?
rebound tenderness
increased WBC
Pt on peritoneal dialysis is having insufficient output.. what would we first assess, why and what is the treatment?
- assess for constipation, listen to bowel sounds, last BM?, cramping, etc.
- Distended intestines block fenestrated catheter.
- Treatment = stool softeners
— **Other causes could be a kink in the tubing.
What does the CKD diet look like?
- low sodium, potassium and phosphorus no dairy (phos), no avocado, banana, coconut, oranges, watermelon.
- apples, pears and berries are good!
What are some major complications of AVF or arteriovenous fistulas?
stenosis thrombosis infection hemorrhage - assess for numbness, tingling
Your patient returns from hemodialysis. 30 minutes later, they complain of a headache rated 8/10 for pain and they are nauseous. What is the nurses priority?
Suspicion of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS), obtain VS and contact MD immediately.
Dialysis rate will be slowed for this patient for following treatments.
You are a hemodialysis nurse. Prior to connecting pt to dialysis machine, what must be assessed?
- VS
- Pre dialysis weight
- palpate fistula for thrill and listen for bruit
How do you know a AVF (arteriovenous fistula) is patent and healthy?
- no excess redness/swelling/sign of infection
- *****thrill and bruit present .. MOST IMPORTANT!!
- no numbness tingling in hand
What does a creatinine of 4.3 indicate?
Critical Cr level, major kidney injury
- the kidneys are not able to clear creatinine as they should. Poor clearance of Cr increases its levels in the blood
You are discharging a hemodialysis patient who has a healed AVF. What would you include in their discharge teaching?
- no BP OR BLOOD DRAW taken on AVF arm
- no sleeping on effected arm
- no restricting clothing or jewelry
- no heavy lifting
- do strength exercises with effected hand!! Helpful for circulation and strength.
- if any sign of infection or numbness and tingling in effected arm, notify MD immediately or go to ER.
A nurse is caring for a child with acute glomerulonephritis. Frequent monitoring of what is a priority and why?
blood pressure
- severe HTN is a common complication, control it to prevent further injury to kidney
4 characteristics of nephrotic injury?
- hypoalbuminemia
- hyperlipidemia
- edema (r/t low albumin)
- proteinuria
What does albumin do in the body? What happens when its LOW?
When it is HIGH, what is the indication?
Albumin = protein made by the liver.
keeps fluids in the bloodstream as to not leak into the tissue, so when it is LOW.. you get edema.
HIGH albumin would indicate dehydration.
A nurse is caring for a client 2 days after surgical creation of an arteriovenous fistula in the forearm. The client’s skin is pale around the fistula’s arm and hand. What does this mean and what should you do as their nurse?
- arterial steal syndrome, the vein is likely “stealing” too much of the arterial blood from the fistula point. Contact MD when this is suspected, as leads to ischemia then necrosis of limb.
A client is to go to CT with iodine contrast in the morning. What medication should be withheld if they are taking it and why?
METFORMIN. A side effect is lactic acidosis.. if the pt develops kidney injury from the contrast dye, acidosis will worsen.
Iodinized contrast is hard on the ____.
kidneys, should not be used if already compromised.
> ____mL of residual urine noted in the bladder should be reported to MD.
100mL as sign of urinary retention
What is VERY important with a Wilms tumour?
DO NOT PALPATE
A pt is prescribed an enteric coated potassium supplement. What teaching should be given related to this medication?
Do not crush.
Take with plenty of water and sit upright for 30-1hr after because of esophageal irritation risk.