Medical-Surgical Nursing Lecture Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering medical-surgical nursing topics including Cardiology, GI, Renal, Cancer, Musculoskeletal, Immune, and Neurological systems based on lecture transcripts.

Normal Systolic Blood Pressure

A measurement of <120

Normal Diastolic Blood Pressure

A measurement of <80

Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure

$$120-129$$

Elevated Diastolic Blood Pressure

<80

Stage 1 Hypertension Systolic

$$130-139$$

Stage 1 Hypertension Diastolic

$$80-89$$

Stage 2 Hypertension Systolic

>140

Stage 2 Hypertension Diastolic

>90

Primary Hypertension

Also known as essential hypertension, caused by factors like age, obesity, and lifestyle

Secondary Hypertension

High blood pressure that results from other medical conditions

HTN Assessment: Tinnitus

Ringing in the ears associated with high blood pressure

HTN Assessment: Epistaxis

Nosebleeds which may occur during hypertensive episodes

HTN Intervention: Weight reduction

A lifestyle modification to lower blood pressure

HTN Intervention: Sodium restriction

Limiting salt intake to manage hypertension

HTN Medication: Diuretics

Medications that help the body eliminate excess sodium and water

HTN Medication: ACE inhibitor

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure

Venous Thrombosis

Inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot causing thickening of the vein wall

Thrombophlebitis

A thrombus (clot) specifically associated with vein inflammation

Phlebothrombosis

The presence of a thrombus within a vein without associated inflammation

Phlebitis

Vein inflammation often associated with invasive procedures like IV insertion

Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis (DVT)

A serious condition involving a clot in deep veins with a high risk of pulmonary embolism

Venous Insufficiency

Inadequacy of the venous valves and walls, often due to prolonged venous HTN

Varicose Veins

Distended and protruding veins caused by weakened walls and incompetent valves

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Narrowing or obstruction of coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis

Accumulation of lipid-containing plaque in the arterial walls

CAD: Left Main Artery Stenosis

Significant reduction of lumen diameter by at least $50\%$

CAD: Major Branch Stenosis

Significant reduction of lumen diameter by at least $75\%$

CAD Assessment: Syncope

Temporary loss of consciousness or fainting caused by reduced blood flow

CAD Assessment: Hemoptysis

The coughing up of blood, which may occur in CAD

CAD Diagnostic: Cardiac Catheterization

An invasive study used to visualize coronary artery blockages

Elevated Triglycerides in CAD

A level of >150 indicating significant risk for disease progression

Low HDL (Male/Female)

A level of <40-50 which serves as a risk factor for CAD

PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty)

Procedure to compress plaque against artery walls and dilate the vessel

Laser Angioplasty

The use of laser energy to vaporize arterial plaque

Atherectomy

A surgical procedure to physically remove plaque from an artery

Vascular Stent

A device placed to prevent an artery from closing and to prevent restenosis

CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting)

Bypassing an occluded artery to improve blood flow to myocardial tissue

Nitrates

Medications that dilate coronary arteries and decrease both preload and afterload

Calcium Channel Blockers (CAD)

Meds that dilate coronary arteries and reduce vasospasms

Heart Failure (HF)

Inability of the heart to maintain adequate cardiac output for metabolic needs

Acute Heart Failure

Heart failure that occurs suddenly

Chronic Heart Failure

Heart failure that develops gradually over time

Left Ventricular Failure

The most common starting point for heart failure, leading to pulmonary congestion

Acute Pulmonary Edema

A medical emergency resulting from left ventricular failure; risk of death by suffocation

Forward Failure

Inadequate output causing decreased perfusion to vital organs

Backward Failure

Blood backs up behind the affected ventricle, increasing pressure in the atrium

Low Output Heart Failure

Condition where not enough cardiac output exists to meet body demands

High Output Heart Failure

Condition where the heart works harder to meet elevated body demands

Systolic Failure (HFrEF)

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; a problem with contraction

Diastolic Failure (HFpEF)

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; a problem with relaxing and filling

HF Compensatory Mechanism: Vasoconstriction

Arterial constriction to restore output, which eventually damages pump action

HF Compensatory Mechanism: Hypertrophy

Myocardial enlargement to increase pump power, increasing oxygen consumption

Pulmonary Edema Sign: Sputum

Large amounts of blood-tinged frothy sputum

Right-Sided HF: Jugular Venous Distention

Visible swelling of the neck veins (JVD)

Right-Sided HF: Hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver caused by venous congestion

Right-Sided HF: Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen

Right-Sided HF: Dependent Edema

Swelling in the legs and sacrum

Left-Sided HF: Crackles

Abnormal lung sounds indicating pulmonary congestion

Left-Sided HF: PND

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; shortness of breath that wakes the patient at night

Digoxin

A medication commonly used in heart failure management to improve contractility

Ivabradine Contraindication

Do not give to patients with hypotension

Cor Pulmonale

Right-sided heart failure resulting from chronic pulmonary problems

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Functional bowel disorder with chronic diarrhea, constipation, and pain

Lubiprostone

Medication used for constipation-predominant IBS

Alosetron

Medication used for diarrhea-predominant IBS

Psyllium

A bulk-forming laxative to be taken with a full glass of water

Peritonitis

Life-threatening inflammation of the peritoneum, known as 'hot belly'

Rigid, Board-like Abdomen

Key assessment finding in peritonitis

Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

Inflammatory bowel disease starting in the rectum and spreading to the cecum

UC Complication: Hemorrhage

Risk of significant bleeding from colonic lesions and ulcers

UC Medication: Salicylate Compounds

Includes medications ending in -lazine, balsalazide, and mesalamine

Crohn’s Disease

Inflammatory disorder affecting any part of the GI tract, often the terminal ileum

Crohn’s: Terminal Ileum

The most common location affected by Crohn's disease

Crohn’s Hallmark: Fistula

Abnormal connections between bowel loops or other organs

Crohn’s Assessment: Colic

Severe abdominal pain common in Crohn's disease

Immunomodulators in Crohn's

Monoclonal antibodies usually ending in -mab

UC Stool Frequency

$10-20$ liquid bloody stools per day

Crohn's Stool Frequency

$5-6$ loose non-bloody stools per day

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder

Cholelithiasis

The presence of gallstones, often associated with acute cholecystitis

Murphy’s Sign

Pain and inability to breathe in during RUQ palpation; indicates cholecystitis

Cholecystitis: Clay-colored stools

Indicates a lack of bile entering the GI tract

Cirrhosis

Chronic progressive liver disease characterized by hepatocyte destruction and scarring

Portal Hypertension

Persistent pressure increase in the portal vein due to flow obstruction

Ascites

Fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity due to hepatic capillary congestion

Esophageal Varices

Fragile, distended veins in the esophagus prone to rupture

Jaundice in Cirrhosis

Yellowing of the skin when the liver cannot metabolize bilirubin

Portal Systemic Encephalopathy

Neurotoxic effects like ammonia cause altered LOC in end-stage liver failure

Hepatorenal Syndrome

Progressive renal failure associated with hepatic failure

Asterixis

Rapid nonrhythmic tremor of the wrists and fingers in liver disease

Fetor Hepaticus

Fruity, musty breath associated with severe chronic liver disease

Lactulose

Medication used to decrease bowel pH and lower ammonia levels in cirrhosis

Chronic Pancreatitis

Progressive destructive disease with remissions and exacerbations

Steatorrhea

Fatty, foul-smelling stools due to lack of pancreatic enzymes

Acute Pancreatitis

Sudden attack of pancreatic inflammation with possible resolution

Cullen’s Sign

Discoloration of the abdomen and umbilicus in acute pancreatitis

Turner’s Sign

Bluish color of the flanks indicating acute pancreatitis

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Abrupt, reversible loss of kidney function from cell damage

Prerenal AKI Cause

Conditions outside the kidney like blood loss, dehydration, or decreased cardiac output

Intrarenal AKI Cause

Damage within the kidney parenchyma like tubular necrosis or nephrotoxicity