NURS 105 Fall 2026 Exam 4 Study Guide

Flashcards covering Vital Signs, Pain Management, POCT Glucose, Physical Assessment, Hygiene, and Stress/Grief based on the NURS 105 Test 4 Study Guide.

Expected Adult Temperature

$96.8-100.4^{\circ}F$ ($36-38^{\circ}C$)

Expected Adult Pulse

$$60-100\,\text{beats/min}$$

Expected Adult Respirations

$$12-20\,\text{breaths/min}$$

Expected Adult Blood Pressure

<$120/80\,mm\,Hg$

Expected Adult $SpO_{2}$

$$95-100\%$$

Apical Site Location

5th intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.

Full Minute Respiratory Count

Necessary if the rate is <$12/min$, >$20/min$, or irregular.

Falsely HIGH Blood Pressure Causes

Cuff too small; arm below heart level; patient talking.

Falsely LOW Blood Pressure Causes

Cuff too large; arm above heart level.

Orthostatic hypotension

Blood pressure decreases with position changes such as supine to sitting to standing; factors include peripheral vasodilation, medication effects, fluid depletion, anemia, and prolonged bed rest.

Transduction

The first stage of pain physiology where a painful stimulus is converted into an electrical impulse.

Transmission

The second stage of pain physiology where the impulse travels along sensory nerve pathways toward the spinal cord/brain.

Perception

The third stage of pain physiology where the person becomes consciously aware of pain.

Modulation

The fourth stage of pain physiology where the nervous system alters/inhibits pain transmission.

Chronic episodic pain

Pain that occurs sporadically over an extended period; examples include migraines and sickle cell crisis.

Idiopathic pain

Chronic pain without an identifiable cause.

Normal Blood Glucose Range

$$74-106\,mg/dL$$

Hypoglycemia threshold

Current glucose level <$70\,mg/dL$

Critical Blood Glucose Values

Critical low: <$45\,mg/dL$; Critical high: >$400\,mg/dL$

LO Meter Reading

Indicates glucose level is <$10\,mg/dL$, which is below the meter's reportable range.

HI Meter Reading

Indicates glucose level is >$600\,mg/dL$, which is above the meter's reportable range.

Subjective Data

What the patient or family reports that cannot be directly observed or measured (e.g., "I feel dizzy").

Objective Data

What the nurse observes, measures, or verifies (e.g., $RR\,24/min$, $SpO_{2}\,91\%$, crackles, edema).

Diaphragm of Stethoscope

Best used for higher-pitched sounds: normal breath sounds, normal heart sounds, and bowel sounds.

Bell of Stethoscope

Best used for lower-pitched sounds: carotid bruits and certain abnormal heart sounds such as murmurs or friction rubs.

IAPP Sequence

The assessment order for the abdomen: Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation.

Resonance

The percussion sound indicative of normal air-filled lung tissue.

Dullness

The percussion sound indicative of a solid organ or fluid.

Tympany

The percussion sound indicative of the air-filled stomach or intestines.

Hyperresonance

The percussion sound indicative of excess air.

Vesicular Breath Sounds

Normal breath sounds heard over most peripheral lung fields.

Bronchial Breath Sounds

Normal breath sounds heard over the trachea.

Maceration

The softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture, such as urine or feces.

CHG (Chlorhexidine Gluconate) Bathing

Antimicrobial bath used to reduce HAIs; remains active for $24\,\text{hours}$; must not be used on the face/jawline or Stage 3/4 pressure injuries.

Aspiration Prevention

The highest concern and priority during oral care for an unconscious patient.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) Stages

The sequence of stress response: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

Actual Loss

A tangible loss, such as death.

Perceived Loss

A loss felt by the person but not necessarily visible to others, such as loss of self-esteem.

Maturational Loss

Losses occurring as part of life transitions, such as children leaving home.

Situational Loss

Losses related to unexpected events, such as accidents or sudden illness.

Kübler-Ross Stages of Grief

A non-sequential framework for grieving: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance (DABDA).

Compassion Fatigue

Emotional exhaustion and reduced empathy due to repeated exposure to suffering.