Nursing Review Notes for Exam Preparation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from nursing lecture notes focusing on respiratory conditions, myocardial events, and endocrine disorders.

ARDS

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome; respiratory failure due to non-cardiac pulmonary edema, resulting from direct or indirect lung injury and systemic inflammation.

Risk factors for ARDS

Sepsis, shock, trauma, pneumonia, pancreatitis, inhalation of chemicals or water.

Symptoms of ARDS

Dyspnea, rapid/shallow breathing, substernal retractions, tachycardia, cyanosis, crackles.

Diagnosis of ARDS

ABGs and chest X-ray showing bilateral infiltrates.

Treatment for ARDS

Correcting the underlying cause, administering O2, and possibly mechanical ventilation.

Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF)

Inability of the lungs to maintain arterial oxygenation or eliminate CO2, leading to tissue hypoxia.

Risk factors for ARF

Atelectasis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, heart failure, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism.

Symptoms of Acute Respiratory Failure

Respiratory distress, tachycardia, dysrhythmias, early restlessness, late decreased LOC.

Treatment for Acute Respiratory Failure

Oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, chest physiotherapy, BiPAP/CPAP.

Mechanical Ventilation

Improves gas exchange and decreases work of breathing until the cause of respiratory failure is identified.

Low Pressure Alarms in Mechanical Ventilation

Indicates leaks due to disconnection, cuff leak, or tube displacement.

High Pressure Alarms in Mechanical Ventilation

Indicates increased pressure due to pulmonary edema, pneumothorax, bronchospasm, biting, secretions, or kinks.

PEEP

Positive End Expiratory Pressure; pressure applied at the end of expiration to distend alveoli and prevent collapse.

Tension Pneumothorax

Trapped air in pleural cavity under positive pressure leading to lung collapse.

Symptoms of Tension Pneumothorax

Tracheal deviation toward unaffected side, absent breath sounds, thoracic asymmetry, respiratory distress, tachycardia, pallor, anxiety.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Life-threatening blockage in pulmonary vasculature caused by an embolus or blood clot.

Risk Factors for PE

Immobility, smoking, oral contraceptives, obesity, A-fib, surgery, pregnancy, long bone fracture.

Diagnosis of PE

CT scan; elevated D-dimer indicates clot presence.

Treatment for PE

Anticoagulants (like warfarin and heparin), thrombolytics (like alteplase), surgical interventions (thrombectomy, vena cava filter placement).

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart due to thrombus formation on atherosclerotic plaque.

Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction

Chest pain, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, dizziness; women may experience fatigue and back pain.

Cardioversion

An intervention used to help restore normal cardiac rhythm for patients with dysrhythmia.

Patients with atrial fibrillation

At risk for blood clots due to disorganized electrical activity in the atria.

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

Medications like succinylcholine and pancuronium that cause skeletal muscle paralysis during anesthesia or intubation.

Hypothyroidism

Inadequate production of thyroid hormones leading to symptoms like cold intolerance, weight gain, and lethargy.