Adult Health, Mental Health, and Nursing Practice Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering adult cardiovascular and respiratory health, neurology, metabolic systems, maternity, pediatrics, pharmacology, and New Zealand health legislation.

Normal Adult Vital Signs

Blood pressure $120/80$, Heart Rate $60 - 100\text{ bpm}$, SPO2 95 - 100\text{%} (or 88 - 92\text{%} for COPD), Temperature $36.5 - 37.5\text{°C}$, and Respiratory Rate $12 - 20\text{ rpm}$.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

A branch of the nervous system that releases acetylcholine to slow the heart rate; often referred to as the 'rest and digest' system.

Sympathetic Nervous System

A branch of the nervous system that releases catecholamines, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) to increase heart rate; often referred to as the 'fight or flight' system.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A multi-step system triggered by a drop in blood pressure where the kidneys release renin, eventually forming Angiotensin 2 to constrict vessels and increase blood volume.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood ejected by each ventricle in $1\text{ min}$, regulated by heart rate and stroke volume.

PQRST Waveform

The electrical impulses of the heart where P represents atrial depolarisation, QRS represents ventricle depolarisation, and T represents ventricle repolarisation.

Stable Angina

Ischemic chest pain that occurs only on exertion and lasts $5-15\text{ minutes}$, typically relieved by rest or Glyceryl trinitrate.

Unstable Angina

Chest pain that may have no trigger and can occur during rest, lasting longer than $10\text{ minutes}$ and potentially not relieved fully by glyceryl trinitrate.

Systolic Heart Failure

A heart failure condition characterized by a contraction issue where the heart cannot squeeze with enough force to eject water out the top.

Diastolic Heart Failure

A heart failure condition characterized by a filling issue where the heart does not fill with enough blood before squeezing.

Left-Sided Heart Failure

Causes fluid to back up into the lungs, resulting in symptoms like dyspnoea, rales, orthopnoea, nagging cough, and weight gain.

Right-Sided Heart Failure

Causes fluid to back up into the body, resulting in symptoms like enlarged liver, swelling in hands and legs, oedema, and large neck veins.

B type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

Bio-markers released by the ventricles when the heart experiences excessive pressure, used as a diagnostic test for heart failure.

Troponin T

An enzyme released from heart muscles after injury; it is a primary blood test marker used to identify a myocardial infarction.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

A surgical treatment for myocardial infarction that involves rerouting veins and arteries around a blockage in the coronary arteries.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

The formation of a clot within a deep vein, often caused by stasis of venous circulation, hypercoagulability, or endothelial damage.

Hypovolemic Shock

A type of shock occurring when more than 15\text{%} of blood volume is lost, leading to decreased cardiac preload and tissue hypoxia.

Anaphylactic Shock

A form of distributive shock occurring due to a system-wide release of histamine following allergen exposure, causing vasodilation and bronchoconstriction.

Sepsis

A life-threatening response to infection where the immune system goes into overdrive and attacks the body's own organs.

Septic Shock

A state of sepsis characterized by severe hypotension that fluids cannot fix, along with elevated lactate levels above $2-4\text{ mmol/L}$.

Emphysema (COPD)

A condition where repeated exposure to irritants causes airways to lose elasticity and become thickened, leading to air trapping and a barrel-shaped chest.

Pneumothorax

The presence of air in the pleural space causing the lung to collapse, which can shift the heart and great vessels toward the other lung.

Flail Chest

A life-threatening condition where a segment of the rib cage breaks and becomes detached, causing uneven chest movement during breathing.

Ischemic Stroke

A stroke caused by a blockage via stenosis, embolism, or thrombosis that prevents blood flow to brain cells.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A stroke caused by the rupture of blood vessels, often due to an aneurysm or hypertension, leading to bleeding and swelling.

Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA)

A medication that dissolves clots by activating protein for fibrinolysis; it must be given within $3\text{ hours}$ of an ischemic stroke.

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

The most common type of CP, characterized by increased muscle tone, stiff movements, and delayed developmental milestones.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A neurological assessment tool used to document a patient's level of consciousness, sedation/agitation, and responsiveness.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system, leading to gradual upward-migrating paralysis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

An autoimmune disease where the body attacks the myelin coating of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing scar tissue (sclerosis).

Melena

Bright red or black tarry stool, typically indicating a lower or upper gastrointestinal bleed respectively.

Peptic Ulcers

Destruction of the mucosa and muscle layers, often caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria or NSAIDs.

Paralytic Ileus

A lack of movement in the intestines leading to a build-up and potential blockage, often occurring post-surgery due to opioid medications.

Compartment Syndrome

A medical emergency caused by increased pressure within an enclosed muscle bundle that restricts blood flow; treated with an emergency fasciotomy.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Chronic systemic inflammation leading to the destruction of connective tissue and the synovial membrane in joints, resulting in spongy joints and morning stiffness.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Deterioration of articular cartilage in weight-bearing joints, often characterized by Heberden’s or Bouchard’s nodes.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

A toxic build-up of ketones in the blood and urine due to low insulin, making the blood too acidic (metabolic acidosis).

Standard Metabolic Reference Values

Bicarbonate ($HCO_3^-$) $22 - 26\text{ mmol/L}$, Sodium $135 - 145\text{ mmol/L}$, Potassium $3.5 - 5\text{ mmol/L}$, and pH $7.35 - 7.45$.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

A test measuring how well kidneys remove waste from blood; a normal value is $90$ or above, while below $15$ indicates high risk of kidney failure.

Pyelonephritis

A kidney infection that has travelled up from the bladder, characterized by flank pain, fever, and rigor.

Hepatitis A

An acute viral infection transmitted via the faecal-oral route through contaminated food or water.

Whipple Procedure

Also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy, a major surgery to remove the head of the pancreas to treat cancers or tumours.

Wound Exudate Types

Serous (clear/straw-coloured), Haemoserous (pink/mixed), Sanguineous (red/bloody), and Purulent (yellow/grey/green/infected).

Full Thickness Burn

A burn involving the destruction of both the epidermis and dermis, appearing white, waxy, or charred with no sensation or capillary refill.

Standard Precautions

Infection control practices applied to every patient all the time, including hand hygiene, PPE use, and proper handling of contaminated sharps.

Airborne Precautions

Used for infections like Tuberculosis or Measles; requires an N-95 mask and a single room, preferably with negative pressure.

Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test

The primary diagnostic test used for identifying Tuberculosis infection.

Apgar Score

A test given to newborns at $1\text{ and }5\text{ minutes}$ post-birth to check heart rate, muscle tone, and other signs of health with a score of $0-2$ for each section.

Moro Reflex

An infant reflex where the baby spreads their arms and pulls them in when suddenly released or startled.

Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA)

A congenital heart defect featuring a narrowing of the aorta that causes high blood pressure in the upper body and low blood pressure in the lower body.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

A genetic condition where thick, sticky mucus blocks tubes in the lungs and digestive system, often diagnosed with a Guthrie heel prick at birth.

Reyes Syndrome

A rare disorder causing brain and liver damage in children who take aspirin while having a viral infection like the flu or chicken pox.

Naloxone

A competitive antagonist used to displace opioids at the receptor sites to reverse respiratory depression or overdose.

Digoxin Toxicity

A condition characterized by vision changes, nausea, and irregular heartbeat, occurring when blood levels exceed $2.4\text{ ng/mL}$.

Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Antidepressants that block the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, which may take $3-4\text{ weeks}$ to become effective.

Serotonin Syndrome

A potentially dangerous condition caused by excess serotonin, characterized by muscle spasms, agitation, tachycardia, and shivering.

Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)

A legal authorization that allows a named person to make decisions on a patient's personal care and welfare if they become mentally incapable.

Waitangi Treaty Principles (The Three Ps)

Partnership, Participation, and Protection, which form the basis of the Māori health strategy in New Zealand nursing.

Mental Health Act Section 111

The legal power of a Registered Nurse to detain a person for up to $6\text{ hours}$ for an urgent assessment.

Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

A patient-made prevention and wellness process identifying triggers, early warning signs, and action plans for responding to a crisis.