NCLEX Virtual Trainer Student Workbook Practice Flashcards

These vocabulary flashcards cover foundational NCLEX concepts including maternity care, pediatrics, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and psychiatric care based on the ReMar NCLEX Virtual Trainer workbook.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

The hormone responsible for pregnancy.

Hegar Sign

The softening of the uterus.

Goodell Sign

The softening of the cervix.

Chadwick Sign

A bluish discoloration of the vagina and cervix.

Naegele's Rule

A formula to calculate the due date: Add 7 days to the last menstrual period (LMP), subtract 3 months, and add 1 year.

Parity

The number of pregnancies carried to term (beyond 20 weeks), regardless of whether the babies are alive.

Amniocentesis

An invasive procedure performed around 20 weeks to determine fetal lung maturity and overall fetal well-being.

Indirect Coombs Test

A test that determines the presence of antibodies in the mother's blood; it should be negative.

Nonstress Test (NST)

An assessment of fetal well-being after 28 weeks that measures fetal heart rate response to fetal movement.

Lightening

When the fetal head drops into the pelvis so the baby can get into birthing position.

Preterm Labor

Any labor that occurs before $37$ weeks of gestation.

HELLP Syndrome

A life-threatening pregnancy complication involving Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelets.

Preeclampsia

A condition characterized by hypertension ($\text{High BP}$), proteinuria, and edema.

Reactive Fetal Heart Strip

A good sign containing accelerations, no late or variable decelerations, and long-term variability.

Late Decelerations

A drop in fetal heart rate that occurs around the peak of a contraction, caused by a problem with the placenta.

Variable Decelerations

Fetal heart rate drops that appear in a "V" shape on the monitor, caused by cord compression.

Apgar Scoring

An assessment of a newborn at 1 and 5 minutes based on Heart rate, Respirations, Muscle tone, Appearance, and Reflexes.

Milia

Small white bumps on a newborn's skin, which are a normal finding.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

A condition characterized by low birth weight, flat nose, small eyes, thin lips, and cognitive impairment.

Tetralogy of Fallot

A cyanotic heart defect consisting of four problems: Right Ventricular Hypertrophy, Overriding Aorta, Pulmonary Stenosis, and Ventricular Septal Defect.

Parallel Play

A developmental milestone for toddlers where they sit side-by-side but do not share or play together.

Primary Prevention

Health strategies focused on immunizations, accident prevention, and healthy environments to keep patients free of disease.

Secondary Prevention

Health strategies focused on early identification and treatment, such as mammograms, Pap smears, and HIV screening.

Tertiary Prevention

Health strategies focused on containing damage from an existing illness, such as dietary supplements or therapeutic diets.

Pureed Diet

Any food that is mashed or blended to a smooth consistency; used for clients who are unable to chew or have dysphagia.

Renal Diet

A therapeutic diet that restricts protein to avoid the buildup of ammonia in the body.

Compartment Syndrome

An acute condition where pressure increases within a confined body space, requiring assessment for the 6 P's (Pain, Pressure, Paresthesia, Pallor, Paralysis, Pulselessness).

Fasciotomy

A surgical procedure where a doctor cuts to relieve pressure in compartment syndrome.

Trough Level

The lowest point of a medication in the bloodstream, drawn immediately ($5\text{ to }30\text{ minutes}$) before the next dose.

Infiltration

An IV complication where fluid enters the surrounding tissue, characterized by puffiness and cool skin.

Phlebitis

An IV complication characterized by redness, warmth, pain, and streaks along the vein.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

Nutrients administered through the veins, bypassing the GI tract, primarily composed of glucose ($D10\text{ or }D50$).

Delirium Tremens

Extreme alcohol withdrawal symptoms starting $12\text{ to }36$ hours after the last drink, including physical shaking and hallucinations.

Isotonic Solutions

IV fluids such as 0.9\text{% Normal Saline} or $Lactated Ringers$ that treat intravascular dehydration without pushing fluid into the cells.

Hypotonic Solutions

IV fluids such as 0.45\text{% Sodium Chloride} that treat intracellular dehydration by lowering osmotic pressure.

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

A lab value that transports oxygen to tissue; normal ranges are $14-16.5\text{ g/dL}$ (male) and $12-15\text{ g/dL}$ (female).

Creatinine

A test of kidney function; values above $1.3\text{ mg/dL}$ signal renal failure.

Kayexalate

The generic name for sodium polystyrene, a medication used to lower high potassium levels.

Diabetes Insipidus

A condition involving too little Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH), resulting in clear, odorless urine and dehydration.

SIADH

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone, involving too much ADH, resulting in fluid overload and oliguria.

Triage

The process of categorizing and prioritizing clients based on the severity of their injuries.

Respiratory Acidosis

A blood gas interpretation where the pH is below $7.35$ and the $CO_2$ is high.

Tension Pneumothorax

A medical emergency where air is trapped in the pleural space, causing tracheal deviation and decreased lung expansion.

Occlusive Dressing

A dressing covered with petroleum jelly on both sides, used for chest tube removal or air seal.

Left Side Failure

A type of heart failure characterized by lung-related signs like SOB, crackles, and pink frothy sputum.

Right Side Failure

A type of heart failure characterized by systemic signs like peripheral edema, weight gain, ascites, and JVD.

Lumbar Puncture

As invasive procedure used to obtain spinal fluid; the client is positioned upright over a bedside table or in a fetal position.

Rhabdomyolysis

The death of muscle tissue where muscle fibers are excreted in the urine, potentially damaging the kidneys.

Meniere's Disease

A chronic inner ear disease resulting in too much endolymphatic fluid, leading to vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)

A complication of Type 1 Diabetes involving acidosis and Kussmaul's respirations.

HHNK

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Non-Ketotic syndrome, a complication of Type 2 Diabetes involving a blood glucose above $600\text{ mg/dL}$.

Hemoglobin A1C

A blood test used to determine blood sugar control over the previous 3 months.

Metformin

A first-line treatment for Type 2 Diabetes that works by decreasing glucose production by the liver.

Graves' Disease

Another name for Hyperthyroidism, involving a high metabolism, heat intolerance, and exophthalmos.

Addison's Disease

A condition of too little adrenal cortex activity, causing fatigue, weight loss, and bronze-colored skin.

Cushing's Syndrome

A condition of too much adrenal cortex activity, causing truncal obesity, moon face, and hypertension.

Delirium

An acute, reversible mental change often caused by substance abuse, infection, or electrolyte imbalances.

Dementia

A chronic, progressive mental change that has no cure and affects personality, judgment, and behavior.

Agnosia

The inability to recognize objects or use them correctly, such as using a toothbrush to brush hair.

Schizophrenia

A chronic disease where a client cannot tell the difference between real and unreal, involving delusions and hallucinations.

Benzodiazepines

Medications such as Alprazolam or Diazepam used for short-term anxiety management.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

An adverse, life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs featuring extreme vital signs, fever, and rapid pulse.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Antidepressants that require a tyramine-restricted diet to avoid a hypertensive crisis.

Depolarization

The movement of ions across the cell membrane that causes heart muscle contraction.

Asystole

The absence of electrical activity in the heart; treated with Epinephrine and Atropine.

Contact Precautions

Isolation protocol for diseases like MRSA, VRE, and C. Difficile requiring a gown and gloves.

Airborne Precautions

Isolation protocol for Measles, Varicella, and Tuberculosis requiring a private room and a respiratory mask.

Sentinel Events

An unanticipated event in healthcare resulting in death or serious injury, such as a client discharge to the wrong family.

Advanced Directives

Legal documents that allow clients to plan their care in advance, including Living Wills and Power of Attorney.

Delegation

Giving a specific task to a provider capable of performing the duty, while the delegator retains accountability.