ORA: MS

These flashcards cover essential nursing concepts for reviewing key priorities, assessment findings, interventions, and complications across various medical conditions.

Airway obstruction priority

Establish airway immediately, because oxygenation is the top priority (ABC).

First sign of hypoxia

Restlessness, because brain is sensitive to low oxygen.

Normal adult respiratory rate

12–20 breaths/min, because this is the standard baseline.

Best position for dyspnea

High Fowler’s, because it maximizes lung expansion.

Cyanosis indicates what

Late hypoxia, because oxygen deprivation is severe.

Crackles indicate what

Fluid in alveoli, because air passes through fluid.

Wheezing indicates what

Airway narrowing, because of bronchospasm.

Best way to assess oxygenation

Pulse oximetry, because it measures oxygen saturation.

Normal SpO2

95–100%, because this reflects adequate oxygenation.

Priority in choking adult

Abdominal thrusts, because it dislodges obstruction.

Normal heart rate adult

60–100 bpm, because it maintains cardiac output.

Tachycardia cause

Hypovolemia, because heart compensates for low volume.

Bradycardia concern

Poor perfusion, because cardiac output decreases.

Chest pain priority

Assess and oxygen, because ischemia reduces oxygen supply.

MI classic symptom

Crushing chest pain, because of myocardial ischemia.

First drug in MI

Oxygen, because it improves tissue oxygenation.

Purpose of aspirin in MI

Antiplatelet, because it prevents clot growth.

Hypertension risk

Stroke, because high pressure damages vessels.

Normal BP

Shock priority

Restore perfusion, because organs need blood flow.

Normal urine output

≥30 mL/hr, because it indicates kidney perfusion.

Oliguria means

Low urine output, because of decreased kidney function.

Polyuria cause

Diabetes, because of osmotic diuresis.

Best hydration indicator

Urine specific gravity, because it reflects concentration.

Dark urine indicates

Dehydration, because urine is concentrated.

Fluid overload sign

Edema, because excess fluid accumulates.

IV infiltration sign

Swelling, because fluid leaks into tissue.

IV phlebitis sign

Redness, because vein is inflamed.

Priority electrolyte imbalance

Potassium, because it affects heart rhythm.

Hypernatremia cause

Dehydration, because water loss increases sodium.

Hypoglycemia sign

Shakiness, because low glucose affects brain.

Hyperglycemia sign

Polyuria, because excess glucose draws water.

Normal fasting glucose

70–100 mg/dL, because it reflects metabolic balance.

Insulin function

Lowers blood glucose, because it moves glucose into cells.

Glucagon function

Raises blood glucose, because it releases stored glucose.

DKA cause

Insulin deficiency, because glucose cannot enter cells.

HHNS feature

Severe hyperglycemia, because no ketosis.

Best diabetic monitoring

HbA1c, because it reflects long-term control.

Hypoglycemia treatment

Fast-acting carbs, because glucose is needed quickly.

Diabetic foot care

Daily inspection, because neuropathy hides injury.

Infection sign

Fever, because immune response increases temperature.

Sepsis priority

Early antibiotics, because infection spreads rapidly.

Normal WBC

5,000–10,000, because indicates immune status.

Isolation for TB

Airborne, because bacteria spread via air.

Hand hygiene purpose

Prevent transmission, because hands carry microbes.

Sterile technique use

Invasive procedures, because infection risk is high.

Vaccination purpose

Immunity, because it prepares immune response.

Antibiotic teaching

Finish course, because prevents resistance.

Inflammation signs

Redness, heat, swelling, because of increased blood flow.

Pain priority

Assess first, because guides treatment.

Next action in DKA when blood glucose drops to ~250 mg/dL

Add dextrose (D5) to IV fluids to prevent hypoglycemia, because insulin infusion continues lowering glucose and can cause dangerous hypoglycemia.

Clear nasal drainage with halo sign post-hypophysectomy indicates what

CSF leak → test for glucose, because CSF contains glucose unlike normal nasal secretions.

Life-threatening findings in Addisonian crisis

Hypotension and hyperkalemia, because aldosterone deficiency causes sodium loss and potassium retention leading to shock.

Priority action in myxedema coma

Maintain airway and monitor respirations, because severe hypothyroidism depresses respiratory drive.

Key signs of thyroid storm

Fever, tachycardia, agitation, because excessive thyroid hormone increases metabolic rate and sympathetic activity.

Priority finding after thyroidectomy

Stridor (airway obstruction), because it indicates laryngeal edema or nerve damage compromising airway.

Treatment for severe SIADH hyponatremia (Na ~118)

Hypertonic saline (3% NaCl), because it safely raises sodium levels in severe dilutional hyponatremia.

Indicator desmopressin is effective in DI

Decreased urine output, because ADH replacement reduces excessive diuresis.

Classic Cushing’s syndrome features

Moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity, because excess cortisol redistributes fat.

Correct insulin mixing order

Clear (Regular) before cloudy (NPH), because it prevents contamination of short-acting insulin.

Low aPTT & INR on heparin + warfarin → action

Increase heparin, continue warfarin, because therapeutic anticoagulation has not yet been achieved.

Priority with alteplase (tPA)

Monitor for bleeding, because it dissolves clots and increases hemorrhage risk.

When to hold Digoxin

Hypokalemia (K <3.5), because low potassium increases risk of digoxin toxicity.

Flatline on monitor—first action

Check patient responsiveness, because equipment malfunction can mimic asystole.

Acute pulmonary edema interventions

Oxygen, high Fowler’s, IV furosemide, morphine, because these reduce fluid overload and improve oxygenation.

When to withhold nitroglycerin

SBP < 90 mmHg, because it causes vasodilation and can worsen hypotension.

Electrolyte increasing Digoxin toxicity

Hypokalemia, because potassium and digoxin compete at cardiac cells.

Priority for K = 7.2 mEq/L

Cardiac monitoring, because severe hyperkalemia can cause fatal arrhythmias.

Position for air embolism in dialysis

Left lateral Trendelenburg, because it traps air in the right atrium.

Normal AV fistula finding

Thrill and bruit, because they indicate patency and blood flow.

Sign of kidney transplant rejection

Tender graft + ↑ creatinine, because inflammation impairs kidney function.

Cause of renal colic pain

Ureteral distention from stone, because obstruction causes severe spasm.

Priority in acute kidney stone

Pain control (opioids), because pain is severe and priority for comfort.

Why strain urine

Analyze stone composition, because it guides prevention strategies.

Prevent calcium oxalate stones

Avoid oxalate-rich foods, because they contribute to stone formation.

Expected after ESWL

Flank bruising, because shock waves cause localized tissue trauma.

PD draining slowly—first action

Reposition patient, because catheter flow is often affected by position.

Cloudy PD effluent indicates

Peritonitis, because infection causes inflammatory cells in dialysate.

Prevent PD infection

Strict aseptic technique, because contamination leads to peritonitis.

Risk of long PD dwell time

Hyperglycemia, because dialysate contains glucose.

Successful PD fluid removal indicator

Outflow > inflow, because excess fluid is being removed.

Bright red clots post-TURP

Arterial bleeding, because active bleeding produces bright red clots.

TURP bladder spasms cause

Catheter obstruction, because clots block urine flow.

CBI calculation purpose

Determine true urine output, because irrigation fluid must be subtracted.

Prevent bleeding post-TURP

Traction on catheter, because it applies pressure to surgical site.

Bright red urine 1 month post-TURP

Abnormal → report, because bleeding should have resolved.

Tender warm prostate indicates

Acute prostatitis, because infection causes inflammation.

Sudden unilateral scrotal pain

Epididymitis, because infection leads to localized inflammation.

Key question for urethritis

Sexual activity/protection, because it is commonly STI-related.

Prevent urethritis

Void after intercourse, because it flushes bacteria.

Chronic prostatitis relief

Sitz bath, because warmth improves circulation and comfort.

Key rule in traction

Weights must hang freely, because tension must be constant.

Pain, pallor, numbness in cast

Compartment syndrome → notify provider, because pressure compromises circulation.

Unique sign of fat embolism

Petechial rash, because fat particles block capillaries.

THA restriction

No crossing legs, because it prevents hip dislocation.

Sign of osteomyelitis at pin site

Purulent drainage, because it indicates infection.

RA stiffness pattern

Morning >1 hour, because inflammation peaks after rest.

Foods to avoid in gout

Organ meats, seafood, because high purines increase uric acid.

Best exercise for osteoporosis

Weight-bearing, because it strengthens bone density.

Alendronate teaching

Take upright, empty stomach, because it prevents esophageal irritation.