Nursing Exam Success Strategies and Foundations

Flashcards covering priority frameworks, professional identity, pharmacology, infection control, safety, communication, ethics, vital signs, tissue integrity, and assessment protocols for nursing students.

ABCs

The clinical priority framework representing Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

Maslow's Hierarchy

A priority framework that places physiological needs first, followed by safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Clinical Judgment Model

A process involving recognizing cues, analyzing cues, generating solutions, taking action, and evaluating outcomes.

Professional Identity Domains

Includes Values & Ethics, Knowledge, Nurse as Leader, and Professional Comportment.

Integrity

Doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.

Humility

Recognizing limitations and seeking help.

Courage

Advocating despite difficulty.

Advocacy

Protecting patient rights and safety.

Professional Boundaries

Maintaining a therapeutic relationship while avoiding becoming friend or family-like and avoiding inappropriate social media interactions.

Civility

Professional, respectful communication.

Admission Priorities

1. Safety assessment, 2. Baseline vital signs, 3. Collect health history, 4. Assess immediate needs.

Fowler's position

Patient position used for breathing difficulties and eating.

Supine

Patient position used for examinations where the patient lies on their back.

Prone

Patient position used for back procedures where the patient lies on their stomach.

Sims' position

Patient position used for enemas and rectal procedures.

Transfer Principles

Lock wheels, use a gait belt, bend knees, and maintain a wide base of support.

VIEWGAP

A patient assessment reminder for Vision, Hearing, Eating, Walking, Grooming, Appearance, and Pain.

SWATED

A mnemonic used for the assessment of hydration and nutrition status.

Warfarin (Jantoven)

An anticoagulant medication used for Atrial fibrillation, DVT prevention, and stroke prevention; monitored via INR.

Bleeding Precautions

Using a soft toothbrush, using an electric razor, reporting bleeding, and avoiding injury.

Signs of Infection

Fever, redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, and elevated WBC.

Chain of Infection

1. Infectious agent, 2. Reservoir, 3. Portal of exit, 4. Transmission, 5. Portal of entry, 6. Susceptible host.

CAUTI Prevention

Avoiding unnecessary catheterization, keeping the system closed, keeping the bag below the bladder, and providing perineal care.

Pneumonia Prevention

Proper positioning, deep breathing, incentive spirometry, and mobility.

Incident Report

Documentation used for falls, errors, injuries, or unexpected events; it is NOT part of the medical record.

HIPAA

Legislation that protects patient privacy and confidentiality.

Nurse Practice Act

Defines the scope of practice, legal responsibilities, and licensure requirements for nurses.

Contact Precautions

Isolation protocol requiring gloves and gown; used for MRSA and C. diff.

Droplet Precautions

Isolation protocol requiring a surgical mask; used for Influenza.

Airborne Precautions

Isolation protocol requiring an N95 respirator; used for TB and Measles.

Therapeutic Communication

Includes open-ended questions, reflection, clarification, silence, and active listening; avoids giving advice or false reassurance.

Subjective Data

Information reported by the patient, such as pain or nausea.

Objective Data

Information observed by the healthcare provider, such as temperature, blood pressure, or a rash.

ISBAR

Communication tool: Identification, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

Autonomy

The ethical principle that the patient has the right to choose.

Beneficence

The ethical principle of doing good.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of doing no harm.

Fidelity

The ethical principle of keeping promises.

Veracity

The ethical principle of telling the truth.

Normal Adult Temp

$$36.5\text{--}37.5^\circ\text{C}$$

Normal Adult Pulse

$60\text{--}100$ bpm

Normal Adult Respirations

$12\text{--}20$ per minute

Blood Pressure Measurement Errors

A cuff that is too small results in a falsely HIGH reading; a cuff that is too large results in a falsely LOW reading.

Lisinopril

An ACE Inhibitor used for hypertension and heart failure; side effects include dry cough, hyperkalemia, and angioedema.

Furosemide (Lasix)

A loop diuretic; side effects include dehydration, hypokalemia, and hypotension.

Pressure Injury Stage 1

Non-blanchable redness of intact skin.

Pressure Injury Stage 2

Partial-thickness skin loss.

Pressure Injury Stage 3

Full-thickness skin loss.

Pressure Injury Stage 4

Full-thickness skin loss with exposed muscle or bone.

Braden Scale

Tool measuring pressure injury risk based on sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear.

Serous Drainage

Clear wound drainage fluid.

Sanguineous Drainage

Bloody wound drainage.

Purulent Drainage

Wound drainage containing pus; indicates infection.

ADLs

Activities of Daily Living, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, and transferring.

IADLs

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, such as shopping, cooking, finances, medications, and transportation.

PERRLA

Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation.

Primary Prevention

Strategies used to prevent disease, such as vaccinations.

Secondary Prevention

Early detection strategies, such as screenings.

Tertiary Prevention

Strategies to reduce complications, such as rehabilitation.

OPQRSTUV

Pain assessment mnemonic: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing, Understanding, Values/Goals.

Narcotics Side Effect

Serious risk of respiratory depression, plus sedation, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Abdominal Assessment Order

1. Inspect, 2. Auscultate, 3. Percuss, 4. Palpate; always start auscultation in the RLQ.

QSEN

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses; focuses on Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA).

Charting by Exception

The practice of only documenting abnormalities.

Teach-back method

An effective teaching strategy to assess a patient's readiness and understanding by having them repeat information.