Fluids, Electrolytes, and Pathophysiology Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering critical nursing concepts, laboratory values, and pathophysiology based on the lecture material.

Fluid Volume Deficit (Hypovolemia) Early vs. Late Signs

Assessment reveals tachycardia as an early clinical indicator, whereas hypotension develops as a late manifestation of reduced circulating volume.

Best Indicator of Fluid Status

Daily weight measurements are considered the most accurate and reliable indicator of a patient’s overall fluid balance.

Oliguria

A clinical state characterized by a diminished urine output of less than $400\,mL/\text{day}$, often associated with acute kidney injury.

Normal Serum Sodium

A laboratory range of $135-145\,mEq/L$.

Hyponatremia Critical Risk

Clinical priority involves monitoring for seizures, which represent the most significant neurological risk when sodium levels fall below $135\,mEq/L$.

Potassium (K+) Administration Safety

Potassium must never be administered via intravenous (IV) push; it requires dilution and controlled infusion to prevent cardiac arrest.

Hypokalemia ECG Findings

Laboratory values below $3.5\,mEq/L$ may present on an electrocardiogram with flat T waves and the appearance of U waves.

Hyperkalemia ECG Hallmark

Potassium levels exceeding $5.0\,mEq/L$ are associated with peaked T waves and a widened QRS complex.

Chvostek and Trousseau Signs

Clinical indicators used to assess for hypocalcemia (low calcium), characterized by muscle irritability and tetany.

Magnesium and Potassium Relationship

These two electrolytes are frequently depleted together, and magnesium should be assessed when refractory potassium deficits occur.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Gold Standard Lab

Serum creatinine is the most sensitive and specific laboratory indicator used to evaluate renal function and the progression of kidney injury.

Kussmaul Respirations

Deep, rapid breathing patterns typically observed in patients with metabolic acidosis, such as during Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).

Asthma Rescue Medication Order

During an acute exacerbation, a Short-Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) like Albuterol must be administered first to open the airways before using a steroid inhaler.

Silent Chest

An emergency clinical finding in asthma where wheezing disappears, indicating severe airway obstruction and minimal air movement.

COPD Oxygen Saturation Goal

The therapeutic target for patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is typically an $SpO_2$ of $88-92\%$, as excessive oxygen can suppress the respiratory drive.

Rifampin Side Effect

A common, expected side effect of this tuberculosis medication is the orange discoloration of body fluids, including urine, sweat, and tears.

Pernicious Anemia Treatment

A condition caused by the lack of intrinsic factor leading to Vitamin $B_{12}$ malabsorption, requiring lifelong Vitamin $B_{12}$ injections.

Digoxin Administration Priority

The nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute prior to administration and hold the medication if the heart rate is below $60\,bpm$.

Digoxin Toxicity Symptoms

Manifestations include gastrointestinal upset (nausea/vomiting) and visual disturbances, specifically yellow-green halos around lights.

Left-Sided vs. Right-Sided Heart Failure

Left-sided failure leads to pulmonary symptoms (crackles, dyspnea), while right-sided failure results in systemic congestion (peripheral edema, JVD, and ascites).

HbA1c Target

A laboratory measurement of average blood glucose over three months, with a general diabetic goal of less than $7\%$.

Insulin Mixing (NPH and Regular)

When combining these insulins in one syringe, the nurse should draw up the 'clear' (Regular) insulin before the 'cloudy' (NPH) insulin.

Glargine (Lantus) Rules

A long-acting insulin that has no pronounced peak, lasts approximately $24\,hours$, and must never be mixed with any other insulin in the same syringe.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Primary Treatment

The priority intervention is the administration of intravenous (IV) Normal Saline ($0.9\%\,NS$) followed by Regular insulin infusion.

Metformin (Glucophage) and Contrast

This medication must be held before and after procedures involving iodinated contrast media to prevent the risk of lactic acidosis and renal damage.

Status Epilepticus First-Line Medication

Lorazepam (Ativan) is the preferred medication for terminating active, prolonged seizure activity.

Conductive vs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (Weber Test)

In the Weber test, sound localizes to the affected (bad) ear in conductive loss and to the unaffected (good) ear in sensorineural loss.

Angle-Closure Glaucoma

A medical emergency characterized by sudden, severe eye pain, blurred vision, and halos around lights due to a rapid increase in intraocular pressure.

Gastric vs. Duodenal Ulcer Pain

Gastric ulcer pain generally worsens with food intake, whereas duodenal ulcer pain often improves with food but returns several hours later.

Appendicitis Pain Progression

Clinical presentation typically involves pain that originates near the umbilicus and migrates to the Right Lower Quadrant (McBurney’s Point).

Compartment Syndrome Early Sign

The earliest indicator is pain that is out of proportion to the injury and is not relieved by standard analgesic medications.

Hip Fracture Presentation

The classic clinical appearance of a fractured hip includes an affected leg that is shortened and externally rotated.