Comprehensive NCLEX Nursing Review - Neurology, Psychiatric, and Med-Surg Highlights

This flashcard set covers essential vocabulary and nursing concepts from the transcript, including neurological disorders, psychiatric health, med-surg conditions, and pharmacological interventions required for exam preparation.

Mannitol

The number one osmotic diuretic drug used to decrease Intracranial Pressure (ICP).

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Scores

A neurological assessment tool where $15$ is the best score, $8$ indicates the need for intubation, and $3$ is the lowest score (coma/death).

Bradykinesia

A key sign of Parkinson’s Disease characterized by a delay in the initiation of movement.

Levodopa

A drug used in Parkinson’s Disease that requires the patient to avoid high-protein meals, as they can block absorption.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

An autoimmune disease involving the destruction of the myelin sheath around nerve cells, often triggered by stress, sickness, smoking, and sun exposure.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

An autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction resulting in low acetylcholine; it presents with ptosis, diplopia, and dysphagia.

Pyridostigmine

An anticholinesterase drug for Myasthenia Gravis that should be given before meals to ensure safety with swallowing.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GB)

A disorder characterized by rapid ascending paralysis starting in the legs and moving up toward the respiratory system, often triggered by infection.

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, it involves the deterioration of motor neurons leading to total body paralysis and death from respiratory failure within $3$ to $5$ years.

Kernig Sign

A diagnostic sign for meningitis where the hip and knee flex involuntarily when the neck is flexed.

Brudzinski Sign

A clinical sign of meningitis where the patient's hip and knee flex automatically when the nurse flexes the patient's neck.

Cushing Triad

Late, deadly signs of increased ICP including wide pulse pressure (hypertension), bradycardia, and decreased respirations.

Basilar Skull Fracture

An open TBI signaled by CSF leakage from the ears, nose, or eyes, and sometimes 'Battle’s sign' or raccoon eyes.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

A critical emergency in patients with Spinal Cord Injuries above T-6, resulting in severe hypertension (up to $300$ systolic) and bradycardia.

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)

A psychological disorder featuring unexplained physical symptoms with no medical cause, typically triggered by stress.

Systematic Desensitization

A cognitive-behavioral treatment for phobias where clients are gradually exposed to the phobic object to decrease anxiety.

Lithium Carbonate

A mood stabilizer for Bipolar Disorder that is contraindicated for use with NSAIDs; toxicity begins at levels over $1.5\,mEq/L$.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging, often resulting in tooth and gum erosion and metabolic imbalances like hypokalemia.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss (less than $75\%$ of expected weight), a fear of gaining weight, and signs such as lanugo and amenorrhea.

Naltrexone

A medication used to prevent relapse in drug and alcohol abuse by reducing cravings.

Negative Symptoms (Schizophrenia)

Commonly called the '5 As': Anhedonia, Affect (flat), Alogia, Avolition, and Apathy.

Troponin

The most accurate laboratory indicator of a Myocardial Infarction (heart attack), with levels over $0.5\,ng/mL$ being significant.

HbA1C

A diagnostic lab for Diabetes that measures average blood glucose over roughly $3$ months; $6.5\%$ or higher is diagnostic for Diabetes Mellitus.

SIADH

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone characterized by excessive ADH, water retention, high blood pressure, and low serum sodium.

Addison's Disease

A deficiency of adrenal steroids resulting in low blood pressure, low weight, low glucose, and bronze/hyperpigmented skin.

Cushing’s Syndrome

A condition caused by an excess of cortisol steroids, leading to hypertension, weight gain (moon face/buffalo hump), and hyperglycemia.

DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)

A complication of Type 1 Diabetes involving high blood sugar ($250$ to $500+$), metabolic acidosis, ketones, and Kussmaul respirations.

HHNS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Nonketotic Syndrome)

A complication of Type 2 Diabetes with extremely high blood sugar (over $600+$), severe dehydration, and no ketones or acidosis.

Levothyroxine

A lifelong medication for hypothyroidism that must be taken in the early morning on an empty stomach.

Torsades de Pointes

A chaotic EKG rhythm appearing as a 'tornado' often caused by low magnesium; it is treated with IV Magnesium Sulfate.

Atrial Flutter

An EKG rhythm characterized by a 'sawtooth' pattern on the P-wave.

Dumping Syndrome

A complication of gastric surgery where the stomach empties too quickly, leading to hypotension, tachycardia, and abdominal pain after eating.

Celiac Disease

An autoimmune reaction to gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) that causes malabsorption and fatty stools (steatorrhea).

Steatorrhea

Fatty, foul-smelling stools common in Celiac disease and other malabsorption disorders.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix presenting with RLQ pain and rebound tenderness at McBurney's point.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Erosion of the gastric lining; a rigid, board-like abdomen in these patients is a medical emergency indicating perforation.

Rifampin

A Tuberculosis medication that causes normal red/orange discoloration of tears, urine, and sweat, and can render hormonal birth control ineffective.

Isoniazid (INH)

A primary TB drug that can cause peripheral neuropathy; it is often taken with Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to prevent this.