Patient Care 2: Final Flashcards
Chest tube location
For air: anterior and superior
For fluid: posterior and inferior
3 main functions of a NE tube?
- Decompression
- Radiographic exams
- Feeding
Who can handle CVCs?
Only specially trained personnel or nurses who take additional training
What cause drug reactions? Radiographer’s response?
- over-the-counter drugs, prescribed medications, parenteral administration of meds, or illicit drug use
1. Radiographer’s response depends on the symptoms and severity of the reaction
Benefits of getting the patient history?
- Builds a rapport with the patient
- Builds patient trust and confidence
- Patients have a chance to ask questions and tech can ensure consent is valid
Patient’s physical environment includes what?
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Lighting
- Ventilation
- Colour of surroundings
- Noise
Causes of diabetes insipidus?
- hypothalamic injury (brain trauma, neurosurgery)
- sickle cell anemia
- hypothyroidism
- adrenal insufficiency
- inherited disorders of antidiuretic hormone production and sarcoidosis
Most common site for taking pulse? Where is the second choice?
Radial
Carotid
Steps of understanding information
- Compare the info to existing knowledge of the situation
- Critique the info collected and its integrity
- Diagnose the info by considering its meaning and relevance
What is the glasgow coma scale?
A scale used to assess LOC and reaction to stimuli in a neurologically impaired patient based on performance in 3 categories:
1. Eye opening: score 1-4
2. Verbal response: score 1-5
3. Motor response: score 1-6
The scores are added up. Lower scored predict poorer outcomes
Physical evaluation is an ongoing process of what 3 things?
- Observation
- Assessment
- Measurement
What does an ECG do? What is the graph that it produces called?
Measured electrical activity of the heart and displays the info graphically in waves on paper or on a screen
-electrocardiogram
Function/purpose of CVCs?
- Administer chemo or other long-term drug therapy
- Provide total parenteral nutrition (bypassing alimentary canal)
- Dialysis
- Blood transfusion
- Facilitate the drawing of blood for lab analysis
- Allow venous pressure monitoring
10 communication barriers for situation awareness
- Hierarchy: the more people the message has to flow through, the more likely the message will get distorted
- Unexpected messages: if the message stuns the receiver, the brain can get bogged down and prevents new messages from being processed
- Multiple incoming cues: we can’t multitask listening, instead we interleave = single tasking in multiple succession
- Emotions: when something triggers a emotional memory you may zone out and miss some components of the current message
- Physical distance: the greater the distance between the sender and the receiver, the greater potential for miscommunications
- Conflicting messages: when a receiver hears 2 messages that are in conflict they have to device which one to believe, can be wrong
- Relationships: humans can favour messages communicated by people they have good relationships with
- Expected messages: when the message is expected, the receiver can tune out the message and the messenger
- Volume of information: the receiver can suffer from info overload, they then filter info and can filter out important points
- Source of information: we evaluate the trustworthiness of the sender and base whether we believe the info on whether we trust them
How does a PAC get through the heart to the pulmonary artery?
A balloon
Why is LOC noted?
To establish a person’s baseline
Normal body temp for adults?
36-38 degrees Celsius
96.8-99.8 degreed Fahrenheit
Pulse locations?
- Radial
- Carotid
- Femoral
- Brachial
- Temporal: less common
- Dorsalis pedal
- Posterior tibial
- Apical: less common
- Popliteal: less common
What is hypovolemic shock? What is it caused by? Treatment?
Occurs when a large amount of blood or plasma has been lost, insufficient amount if fluid in circulatory system
- external hemorrhage, lacerations, plasma loss form burns, internal bleeding, severe dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, or extreme diuresis
- fluid replacement for low volume shock, oxygen, medication to promote vasoconstriction
Diabetic coma vs. Insulin reaction?
Diabetic coma: too little insulin (hyperglycemia)
Insulin reaction: too much insulin (hypoglycemia)
How do you chart body temp?
- Oral: O
- Axillary: AX
- Tympanic: T
- Rectal: R
Put letter after temp
Location of non-tunneled CVCs?
- Subclavian vein
- Internal/external jugular vein
- Femoral vein
- Basilic or cephalic veins in arms (PICCs)
What is a CVA?
Cerebrovascular accident: (stroke) when blood flow to part of your brain in interrupted by a blockage or ruptured blood vessel
-signs include facial droop, arm weakness on 1 or both sides, slurred or difficult speech, extreme dizziness, sudden, severe headaches, muscle weakness or numbness, deviation of one eye, or temporary loss of consciousness
Respiration should be _______, ______, and _______?
- Quiet
- Effortless
- Uniform
Factors affecting pulse rate?
- Age: infants higher, elderly lower
- Gender: females higher
- Emotions: stress, fear raises
- Temperature: hot increases
- Posture: standing/sitting up require more energy
- Activity
- Medication
- Stimulants: caffeine and cigarettes
- Alcohol: vasodilators lower blood pressure, increasing heart rate
- Music
What are central venous catheters?
Tubes that are surgically inserted into a vein in the central circulation system
Provide access to the circulatory system on a repeated or continuous basis
What is septic shock? Phases? Causes?
When a massive infection occurs in the body
- gram-negative bacteria (most common) or gram-positive bacteria and viruses
- body releases chemicals that increase capillary permeability and vasodilation
- First phase
- Second phase
The purpose of taking an accurate and relevant history is to?
- avoid an incorrect exam being performed on the patient
- minimize the amount of radiation the patient receives
- efficiently uses the equipment, contrast, etc. involved with the exam
What is the most frequently seen type of shock in the radiographic imaging department?
Anaphylactic shock
Types of NG tubes?
- Dobbhoff: most commonly used, for feeding
- Levin: for decompression, single lumen with holes
- Salem-sump: decompression, double lumen
What are Swan-Ganz catheter used for?
- measure cardiac output
- measure right heart pressures
- indirectly measure the left heart and lung pressures
- diagnose right and left ventricular failure
- monitor specific meds
- assess effects of stress and exercise on heart function
- measure core temps
- reveal the amount of oxygen left in the blood after it has circulated through the body
What can happen if a patient moves during an ECG or if the electrodes become loose?
Movement: can falsely indicate an arrhythmia
Loose electrode: can flat line falsely indicating asystole
Common medical emergencies that occur in the DI department
- Seizures
- Vertigo/Orthostatic hypertension
- Nausea and vomiting
- CVA
- Syncope/fainting
- Drug reaction
- Contrast media reaction
- Shock
- Diabetes
Radiographer’s response to syncope/fainting
- No physician order required if patient remains conscious
- Place patient in sitting or recumbent position, elevate the feet
- Provide food, sugar, or juice to patients who have fasted and may become hypoglycemic
- Reassure patient to alleviate stress
- Spirits of ammonia can be used to bring patient to consciousness
- Patient should be assed by physician if consciousness is lost for more than a minute or two
Location of leads?
- white on right
- black on left
- green on side
- left and right at 2nd intercostal space on soft tissue
- side: level of 6th or 7th intercostal space
What is syncope?
Temporary loss of consciousness and postural tone caused by diminished cerebral blood flow, usually due to low blood pressure.
- considered a mild form of shock
- can occur when fear, pain, or an unpleasant event is beyond coping ability of patient’s nervous system
- can also be caused by overheating, dehydration, exhaustion, sudden changes in body position, or resulting from meds
When observing respiration rate, observe the _______, _____, ______, and ______.
- Rate: how many breaths/min?
- Depth: shallow or deep?
- Quality: supplying the O2 needs of the patient?
- Pattern: rapid or staggered?
What is gestational diabetes?
Occurs during pregnancy, hormonal changes can lead to blood sugar elevation in genetically predisposed individuals, usually resolves once the baby is born
Characteristics of a PAC?
- can be quadruple lumen depending on purpose
- often seen in ICU or CCU patients who require intensive monitoring
- considered a CVC or central line
Signs and symptoms of severe hypoglycemia?
- sudden onset of weakness
- sweating, tremors
- hunger
- cold, clammy skin, diaphoresis
- tachycardia
- headache
- impaired vision
- personality changes, agitated, and nervous
- loss of consciousness
Another name for a Swan-Ganz catheter?
Pulmonary artery catheter (PAC)
Factors that may interfere with taking an accurate measure of pulse?
- decreased sensation in fingers
- not using the right amount of pressure
- not finding correct site
- using thumb
- running or doing other rhythmic movements while trying to take pulse
When are disposable thermometers most often used?
- children
- ICU
- isolation
What is the difference between and sign and a symptom?
Sign: objective evidence that could indicate disease or illness that can be observed by another person. Discovered by examining the patient
Symptom: a feeling or physical occurrence experienced by the patient
How to prevent shock?
- avoid sudden changed in temp, keep patient warm
- reduce pain and stress
- reduce anxiety
Factors that affect body temp?
- Environment
- Time of day: cooler in morning
- Infection/disease/injury
- Age: decreases with age
- Emotional status: increases with stress
- Menstrual cycle: high during ovulation
- Physical activity: increases, but plateaus
- Site of measurement: oral vs. rectal
Patient who may require an NG tube for feeding?
- trauma
- disease
- altered state
- surgical procedure
3 main functions of NG tubes?
- Feeding
- Decompression
- Radiographic exams
Radiographer’s response to mild/moderate contrast reaction?
- calm and reassure patient
- identify allergen and avoid further contact
- apply cool compress to itchy areas
- observe patient for signs/symptoms of increased distress or changes
- document details of reaction in patient’s profile, on the requisition, and in the chart
- obtain medical assistance, consult with radiologist/physician/nurse to determine necessary observation of patient before discharging
What is the safest method of taking body temp?
Axillary
Match the terms with the definitions
Orientated, Lethargic, Medicated, Stupor, Fainting, Semiconscious, Confused, Unconscious
A. Reduced responsiveness
B. Knowledge of partial commands, can be woken up
C. Mentally dulled and altered by drugs
D. Aware of your surroundings
E. Lack of environmental awareness, non-responsive
F. Unsure what is happening, disorientated
G. Decreased awareness, low energy, lazy
H. Process of losing consciousness
Orientated: D Lethargic: G Medicated: C Stupor: A Fainting: H Semiconscious: B Confused: F Unconscious: E
Body temp locations?
- Oral
- Axillary
- Rectal
- Tympanic and temporal artery
Types of NE tubes?
- Miller-Abbott: double lumen, drainage and balloon to act as a bolus and promote peristalsis to advance tube
- Harris: single lumen
- Cantor: single lumen
What techniques can you use when questioning a patient?
- Open-ended questions
- Facilitation
- Silence
- Reflection of reiteration
- Clarification or probing, don’t lead on
- Summarization
Signs and symptoms of second phase septic shock?
- cool, pale skin
- drop in BP
- rapid heart rate and respiratory rate
- anuria
- seizures and organ failure
Average pulse rates for adults?
60-100 BPM
Key factors of situational awareness?
- Get information
- Understand the information
- Think ahead
What is the difference between passively and actively listening?
Passive: just listening
Active: listening and asking questions
How does a PAC get through the heart to the pulmonary artery?
A balloon
Respiration of fewer than 10 breaths/min may result in?
- Cyanosis
- Apprehension
- Restlessness
- Change in LOC
Classification of CVCs?
- Short or long term, non tunneled external catheters (PICC)
- Long term, tunneled external catheters (Hickman, Groshong, Raaf)
- Long term, implanted infusion ports (Port-a-cath)
What elements of a patient’s history should you consider?
- Onset of condition/pain
- Duration/frequency of condition
- Location of pain/issue
- Quality of pain (sharp or dull)
- What aggravates it?
- What alleviates it?
Most common patient with neurogenic shock?
Ones with spinal and head injuries
Signs and symptoms of severe hyperglycemia?
- terribly thirsty
- frequent and copious urination
- breath smells fruity or sweet
- decreased appetite
- nausea, vomiting
- weakness
- confusion
- coma
What is a partial (focal) seizure?
- simple or complex depending whether patient loses awareness
- can have motor, autonomic, sensory, or physiological symptoms
- may cause sever uncontrollable tremors
- often caused by extreme anxiety and hyperventilation
- can last over an hour
What is diabetes insipidus?
Excessive urination caused by inadequate amount of antidiuretic hormone in the body of failure of kidney to respond to hormone
What are central venous catheters?
Tubes that are surgically inserted into a vein in the central circulation system
Provide access to the circulatory system on a repeated or continuous basis
Why is a chest tube inserted? What is its purpose?
To re-establish correct intrapleural pressure and allow the lungs to expand normally
When communicating with a patient who is drowsy or in a stupor what 2 things are important to remember?
- They can’t be relied upon to remember instructions
2. They are not responsible for their actions or answers
What is vertigo?
Instead of feeling light-headed, patients feel like the room is spinning
-caused by an inner ear problem, lesion on the brain or spinal cord
What does an ECG do? What is the graph that it produces called?
Measured electrical activity of the heart and displays the info graphically in waves on paper or on a screen
-electrocardiogram
Having an RT present during the exam is an example of which type of element? Why?
It is a dynamic situation because the patient’s vitals may change quickly, thats why the RT is there
What is situational awareness?
An individual’s perception of environmental elements within the volume and time of space, the comprehension of their meaning and the projection of the their status in the near future
What are electrodes?
Electrical contacts that can receive electric signals produced by the patient’s heart
What might a weak or absent pulse in the leg be a sign of?
-significant blood vessel disease in the leg
What is orthostatic hypertension?
A form of low blood pressure that causes the patient to feel light-headed or dizzy when they sit or stand after prolonged bed rest.
- blood pools in extremities and causes a lack of oxygen in the brain
- common in elderly
- sit up slowly, use support until it passes
ECG equipment?
- electrodes/leads
- cables/wires
- electronic display unit
What can happen if a patient moves during an ECG or if the electrodes become loose?
Movement: can falsely indicate an arrhythmia
Loose electrode: can flat line falsely indicating asystole
Radiographer’s response to vertigo
- Help patient lay down or sit until sensation passes
- Violent nausea us common so have a basin and cool cloth ready to go
- Report a sudden onset immediately to a physician as it can indicate a TIA or CVA
When should physical assessments be done?
Before, during, and after the exam
Severe contrast reaction signs/symptoms?
- abrupt onset
- bradycardia (<50BPM)
- hypotension (drop in BP)
- sever dyspnea
- cardiac arrhythmias
- laryngeal swelling
- possibility of convulsions/seizures
- loss of consciousness
- respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest
Signs and symptoms of neurogenic shock?
- warm, dry skin
- bradycardia
- hypotension
- diminishing peripheral pulses, cool extremities
- *MONITOR PULSE, RESPIRATION, AND BP EVERY 5 MINS
What are Swan-Ganz catheter used for?
- measure cardiac output
- measure right heart pressures
- indirectly measure the left heart and lung pressures
- diagnose right and left ventricular failure
- monitor specific meds
- assess effects of stress and exercise on heart function
- measure core temps
- reveal the amount of oxygen left in the blood after it has circulated through the body
Which form of information delivery is the most productive?
Active: ex. checking vitals, asking questions
2 types of diabetes mellitus?
Type 1: insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes, young, lean individuals before age 25, produce little or no insulin
-circulatory impairment of vision, kidneys, or extremities can occur, family history of minor importance, autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors involved.
Type 2: non-insulin dependant or adult onset diabetes, still produce insulin, but inadequately for their body’s needs, obese people over age 40, oral hypoglycemic meds or changes in diet and lifestyle
Indications for chest tube insertion?
- hemothorax: blood in the pleural cavity
- pneumothorax: air in the pleural cavity
Types of shock
- Hypovolemic
- Septic
- Neurogenic
- Cardiogenic
- Allergic or Anaphylactic
Radiographer’s response to seizures?
- Do not move patient or attempt to restrain or restrict
- Notify physician, seek assistance, do not leave patient unattended
- Monitor rate and quality of respiration
- Monitor patient’s airway, but do not place anything in mouth o between teeth
- Do not attempt to grasp tongue
- When convulsions ends, turn patient on side into recovery position
- Protect patient’s modesty
- Allow patient to rest after
- Bladder control may be lost
- Patient should be evaluated
- Diazepam and lorazepam common treatments
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome occurs when a type ______ diabetic becomes dehydrated and hyperglycemic?
2
Definition of shock
Failure of circulation in which blood pressure is inadequate to support the oxygen perfusion of vital tissues and is unable to remove products of metabolism
Signs and symptoms of first phase septic shock?
- hot, dry, flushed skin
- increased in heart rate and respiratory rate
- fever, but possibly not in elderly
- nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- normal to excessive urine output
- possible confusion
What is a tonic-colonic seizure?
- most common generalized seizure
- involves the entire brain
- patient may experience a premonitory sign
- characterized by a horse cry, convulsions, and complete loss of consciousness
Response to anaphylactic shock?
- do not leave patient unattended, stop injection, maintain IV line
- notify radiologist or ER physician
- call code team if respiratory distress
- place patient in semi-fowlers to facilitate respiration
- monitor pulse, respiration, and BP every 5 mins
- prepare oxygen, IV fluids, and meds (crash cart pr drug box)
- always keep track of time and sequence of events in order to document
Complications of CVCs?
- clotting
- local inflammation of phlebitis
- systemic infraction
- venous thrombosis
- air embolus
- extravasation of meds
- migration of catheter
Who can handle CVCs?
Only specially trained personnel or nurses who take additional training
Signs of increased intracranial pressure?
- Patient becomes irritable
- Patient becomes lethargic
- Patient’s pulse slows down and their rate of respiration decreases
What is neurogenic shock? Causes?
The failure of arterial resistance causing a pool of blood in the peripheral vessels
- injury to nervous system or reaction to medication
- acute situation, demands immediate attention
Radiographer’s response to a CVA
- Report symptoms even if only temporary
- Place patient in recumbent position with head elevated
- Seek assistance, but DO NOT leave unattended
- Have a crash cart and oxygen ready
- Monitor vital signs every 5 mins or follow physician’s orders
If your patient is going into shock what do you do?
- stop procedure, put in dorsal recumbent
- elevate feet to increase blood flow to brain
- obtain help, if in doubt call a code
- check BP and assist the patient with oxygen
- be ready to assist code team and document events
What is PETT when referring to gathering information
PETT
- Patient
- Environment
- Task
- Time
Radiographer’s response to severe contrast reaction?
- maintain airway and call a code
- calm and reassure patient
- ensure integrity of IV site which may be used to give meds for treatment
- prepare oxygen, suction, and crash cart
- have patients history ready and available
- be ready to assist physician
Common characteristics of CVCs?
- rigid material for placement that also lowers the incidence of blood clots
- radiopaque strips at the distal end to allow verification of placement
- single or double lumen
- distal tips rest in vena cava near right atrium of heart
4 types of thermometers?
- Digital/electronic: used for oral, axillary, and rectal
- Tympanic
- Temporal artery
- Disposable
ECG equipment?
- electrodes/leads
- cables/wires
- electronic display unit
Why would a nurse postpone a mobile CXR until later for a patient with a Swan-Ganz catheter?
Because it would cause stress and exercise to the heart
Location of non-tunneled CVCs?
- Subclavian vein
- Internal/external jugular vein
- Femoral vein
- Basilic or cephalic veins in arms (PICCs)
What can hot and dry or moist skin indicate?
Hot and dry: fever
Moist: response to the environment
Some mild contrast reactions may occur up to ______ mins post injection
30 mins
What is an absence seizure?
- Generalized seizure
- brief loss of consciousness where patient stares blankly and may lose balance and fall
- patients unaware that they underwent loss of consciousness
- no convulsions
- common with children
Caring for a patient with a chest tube
- Use gloves
- Drainage must remain below chest level
- Keep tubing as straight as possible
- All connections must be tightly taped
- Do not empty water-sealed chambers or raise them above insertion site
- Notify nurse if water is bubbling (should be a steady rise and fall)
- Keep tube long enough to allow free movement
- Disturbance of the tube at either end can result in a rush of air into the pleural space, reversing the intent of treatment
There is a _______ risk associated with IV administration than with arterial injections?
Greater
A patients whose temp is below normal limits is said to have what?
Hypothermia
What medical procedure can cause and pneumo/hemothorax?
Thoracotomy: performed to diagnose or treat disease or injury to the lungs or pleura
What do we take into account when checking the integrity of information?
- Accuracy
- Completeness
- Source
- Relevance
What is diabetes mellitus?
Disease marked by alternating episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
- defects in insulin secretion
- defects in action of insulin
- defects in both secretion and action
Types of NG tubes?
- Dobbhoff: most commonly used, for feeding
- Levin: for decompression, single lumen with holes
- Salem-sump: decompression, double lumen
How to record pulse rates?
Put a “p” beside the number
Four levels of consciousness?
- Alert and conscious
- Drowsy, but responsive
- Unconscious, but reactive to painful stimuli
- Comatose
List the information resources available
- people
- documents
- tools
- devices
- environment
3 main functions of NG tubes?
- Feeding
- Decompression
- Radiographic exams
Types of NE tubes?
- Miller-Abbott: double lumen, drainage and balloon to act as a bolus and promote peristalsis to advance tube
- Harris: single lumen
- Cantor: single lumen
Factors that affect respiration?
- Medication
- Illness and pathologies
- Exercise
- Age
- Emotion
Which place for taking body temp provides the most accurate reading?
Rectal
What is cardiogenic shock? Causes?
Results from cardiac failure of heart to pump an adequate amount of blood to vital organs
- can be slow or sudden to occur
- most vulnerable patients: myocardial infarction, dysrhythmias, or other cardiac pathologies
Why is a chest tube inserted? What is its purpose?
To re-establish correct intrapleural pressure and allow the lungs to expand normally
Clinical manifestations of cardiogenic shock?
- complain of chest pain that may radiate to jaws and arms
- dizziness and respiratory distress
- cyanosis
- restlessness and anxiety
- rapid change in LOC
- irregular pulse, slow pulse
- tachycardia, tachypnea
- decreasing BP
- decreasing urinary output
- cool, clammy skin
Why would a nurse postpone a mobile CXR until later for a patient with a Swan-Ganz catheter?
Because it would cause stress and exercise to the heart
A patient whose body temp is above normal limits is said to have what?
Fever or pyrexia
Names of CVCs and their characteristics?
- Hickman: long term, med administration, withdrawing blood, measuring central venous pressure
- Groshong: single/double lumen, med/fluid administration, withdrawing blood
- Raaf: double lumen, dialysis
- Port-a-cath: infusion or venous access port
- PICC: short/long term use, inserted through vein in arm
Patient who may require an NG tube for feeding?
- trauma
- disease
- altered state
- surgical procedure
Names of CVCs and their characteristics?
- Hickman: long term, med administration, withdrawing blood, measuring central venous pressure
- Groshong: single/double lumen, med/fluid administration, withdrawing blood
- Raaf: double lumen, dialysis
- Port-a-cath: infusion or venous access port
- PICC: short/long term use, inserted through vein in arm
Adult and infant average respiration rates?
Adult: 12-20 breaths/min
Infant: 30-60 breaths/min
How to treat hypoglycemia?
- juice, pop, or pre-packaged dose of glucose (placed inside cheek)
- 0.5 to 1mg of glucagon parenteral injection
- IV infusion of dextrose solution if they don’t respond to glucagon
Caring for a patient with a chest tube
- Use gloves
- Drainage must remain below chest level
- Keep tubing as straight as possible
- All connections must be tightly taped
- Do not empty water-sealed chambers or raise them above insertion site
- Notify nurse if water is bubbling (should be a steady rise and fall)
- Keep tube long enough to allow free movement
- Disturbance of the tube at either end can result in a rush of air into the pleural space, reversing the intent of treatment
Signs, symptoms, and treatment of diabetes insipidus?
- polyuria
- thirst
- dehydration resulting in fever, vomiting, and convulsions
- fluid replacement is essential
- is a side effect of drug therapy, the offending drug is withheld
- can be treated with vasopressin (out of out scope)
Another name for a Swan-Ganz catheter?
Pulmonary artery catheter (PAC)
Complications of CVCs?
- clotting
- local inflammation of phlebitis
- systemic infraction
- venous thrombosis
- air embolus
- extravasation of meds
- migration of catheter
Common sensations felt by patient during a contrast injection?
- feeling warm/flushed
- metallic taste
- voiding sensation
- nausea/vomiting
Diabetic ketoacidosis is most common with type ____ diabetes?
1
Function/purpose of CVCs?
- Administer chemo or other long-term drug therapy
- Provide total parenteral nutrition (bypassing alimentary canal)
- Dialysis
- Blood transfusion
- Facilitate the drawing of blood for lab analysis
- Allow venous pressure monitoring
Conditions that increase a patient’s resting heart rate?
- fever
- stress
- hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism
- anemia
- stimulants
- asthma
- medications
- diet pills
- various forms of heart disease
- heart meds
- fitness programs with aerobic exercise
Potential challenges to satisfactory situational awareness?
- increased workload
- frustrations
- stress
- interruptions and distractions
Location of leads?
- white on right
- black on left
- green on side
- left and right at 2nd intercostal space on soft tissue
- side: level of 6th or 7th intercostal space
What is a seizure? 3 types?
A sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain that can cause physical symptoms and convulsions
- Tonic-colonic (grand mal)
- Absence (petit mal)
- Partial (focal)
A change in the glascow scale score could be caused by what?
Intracranial pressure
Common characteristics of CVCs?
- rigid material for placement that also lowers the incidence of blood clots
- radiopaque strips at the distal end to allow verification of placement
- single or double lumen
- distal tips rest in vena cava near right atrium of heart
3 different categories of “getting information”
- The nature of the information: patient, environment, task, time, static vs. dynamic
- Info Delivery: active vs. passive
- Source of information
- Collecting info
Characteristics of a PAC?
- can be quadruple lumen depending on purpose
- often seen in ICU or CCU patients who require intensive monitoring
- considered a CVC or central line
What does a healthy blood vessel feel like compared to a normal one?
Healthy: soft
Unhealthy: hard
Classification of CVCs?
- Short or long term, non tunneled external catheters (PICC)
- Long term, tunneled external catheters (Hickman, Groshong, Raaf)
- Long term, implanted infusion ports (Port-a-cath)
What is the most important rule when it comes to crash carts?
Never borrow anything from a crash cart
What is anaphylactic shock? Most common causes?
Result of an exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction, releasing histamine and bradykinin in the body = widespread vasodilation and peripheral pooling of blood
- most common causes: meds, iodinated contrast, insect venoms
- signs/symptoms depend on severity
- more abrupt onset = more severe
- contraction of nonvascular muscles (respiratory tract)
Chest tube location
For air: anterior and superior
For fluid: posterior and inferior
What is usually the first sign of respiratory distress?
Sudden onset of shallow, rapid breathing
Radiographer’s response to nausea and vomiting
- Support the patient by sitting them up or placing in lateral recumbent, airway clear
- Reassure the patient by talking to them
- Don’t rush their recovery
- Provide simple breathing instructions
- Provide emesis basin and replace often with a clean one, give moist wash cloth to patient
Why do we take a radiograph after tube insertion?
To ensure it has been correctly placed and did not go into the lungs
Why do we “tunnel” the catheters?
Tunneling under the skin helps hold the catheter in place and prevent infection
What are electrodes?
Electrical contacts that can receive electric signals produced by the patient’s heart
Mild to moderate contrast reaction signs/symptoms?
- itchy skin
- development of urticaria (hives) or skin rash
- nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes
- coughing with possible laryngeal swelling
- peripheral tingling
- tachycardia (>100BPM) or bradycardia (<60BPM)
- hypotension
- feeling of fullness or tightness in chest, mouth, or throat
- feeling of anxiety or nervousness
What are the four ways to gather information you need
- Scan and search
- Pay attention
- Remain watchful
- Communicate
3 main functions of a NE tube?
- Decompression
- Radiographic exams
- Feeding
What is a weak pulse a sign of?
- problems with the heart’s ability to pump as much blood as the body needs
- shock
- circulation problems (partially blocked, narrowed vessel)
Why do we “tunnel” the catheters?
Tunneling under the skin helps hold the catheter in place and prevent infection
Indications for chest tube insertion?
- hemothorax: blood in the pleural cavity
- pneumothorax: air in the pleural cavity
Physical evaluation includes assessing what?
- Skin colour
- Skin temperature
- Breathing
- Level of consciousness
What medical procedure can cause and pneumo/hemothorax?
Thoracotomy: performed to diagnose or treat disease or injury to the lungs or pleura
When you are getting information, what things should you consider?
- The nature of the information: PETT, is it static or continuously dynamic
- Information delivery: are you collecting it passively or actively, don’t rely on passive info-ask questions
- Information source: people, tools, devices, and documents
- Collecting information: scan and search, pay attention, remain watchful, communicate
Why do we take a radiograph after tube insertion?
To ensure it has been correctly placed and did not go into the lungs
Recognizing shock
- sense of apprehension
- may be restless
- change in ability to think
- change in skin appearance/colour
- pallor accompanied by weakness
- increased pulse rate
- drop in BP of 30mm HG below baseline systolic pressure
- decrease in urination
- increased and shallow respirations
Steps of collecting information
- Scan and search
- Pay attention
- Remain watchful
- Communicate