common “stumbling stones” for freshman nursing students

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) Organs

Contains the Liver, Gallbladder, Duodenum, and the upper right kidney.

Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ) Organs

Contains the Stomach, Spleen, Pancreas, and the upper left kidney.

Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ) Organs

Contains the Appendix, Cecum, and the Right Ovary/Fallopian Tube.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ) Organs

Contains the Sigmoid Colon and the Left Ovary/Fallopian Tube.

Systemic Circulation Path

Left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body; deoxygenated blood returns to the right atrium.

Pulmonary Circulation Path

Right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs; oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium.

Tricuspid vs. Bicuspid (Mitral) Valves

Tricuspid sits on the right side of the heart; Bicuspid sits on the left side of the heart.

Erythrocytes vs. Leukocytes vs. Thrombocytes

Red blood cells (oxygen carriers) vs. White blood cells (immune defense) vs. Platelets (clotting).

Afferent vs. Efferent Neurons

Afferent neurons carry sensory signals TOWARD the brain; Efferent neurons carry motor signals AWAY from the brain.

Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic Nervous System

Sympathetic is 'Fight or Flight' (high HR, dilated airways); Parasympathetic is 'Rest and Digest' (low HR, active digestion).

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Priority

Physiological needs (oxygen, water, food, elimination, sleep) must always be met first before safety or psychological needs.

Airborne Precautions PPE & Room

Negative pressure room, N95 respirator mask; used for Measles, Varicella (Chickenpox), and Tuberculosis (MTV).

Droplet Precautions PPE

Surgical mask within 3 feet of the patient; used for Influenza, Pertussis, and Bacterial Meningitis.

Contact Precautions PPE

Gown and gloves required upon entry; used for MRSA, VRE, open wounds, and C. diff (requires soap and water handwashing).

6 Rights of Medication Administration

Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time, Right Documentation.

Fowler's vs. Semi-Fowler's Bed Angles

Fowler's is sitting at 45 to 60 degrees; Semi-Fowler's is lower at 30 to 45 degrees.

High-Fowler's vs. Orthopneic Positions

High-Fowler's is 60 to 90 degrees upright; Orthopneic is sitting up and leaning forward over a bedside table (used for severe respiratory distress).

Trendelenburg Position

Bed tilted with the head lower than the feet; historically used for severe hypotension or shock.

Sims' Position

Lying on the left side with the right knee flexed toward the chest; standard position for rectal exams and enemas.

1 teaspoon (tsp) to Milliliters

5 mL

1 tablespoon (tbsp) to Milliliters

15 mL

1 fluid ounce (oz) to Milliliters

30 mL

1 cup to Ounces and Milliliters

8 oz = 240 mL

1 Kilogram (kg) to Pounds

2.2 lbs

1 gram (g) to Milligrams

1,000 mg

1 milligram (mg) to Micrograms

1,000 mcg

Celsius to Fahrenheit Formula

Multiply Celsius by 1.8 and add 32.

PERRLA SBL Shorthand

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation (tests Cranial Nerve III).

Pitting Edema 1+ to 4+ Scale

1+ is mild pitting (2mm, disappears rapidly); 4+ is severe, deep pitting (8mm, remains for over 2 minutes).

Adventitious Lung Sounds (Crackles vs. Wheezes)

Crackles are popping, fluid-filled sounds; Wheezes are high-pitched, musical, narrowed airway sounds.

Cyanosis Peripheral vs. Central

Peripheral is bluish discoloration of extremities (cold/poor flow); Central is bluish lips/tongue (severe oxygen deficiency).

Erythema vs. Jaundice vs. Pallor

Erythema is redness (inflammation/fever); Jaundice is yellowing (liver malfunction); Pallor is extreme paleness (anemia/shock).