Nursing Exam Success - Mark Klimek Lecture #6

Flashcards for reviewing drug toxicities, electrolytes, and related concepts based on Mark Klimek's lecture.

Lithium

Anti-mania drug used for bipolar disorder, specifically manic episodes. Therapeutic level: 0.6 to 1.2. Toxic level: >2.0

Lanoxin or Digoxin

Used to treat A-Fib and CHF. Therapeutic level: 1 to 2. Toxic level: >2

Aminophylline

Muscle spasm relaxer for the airway. Therapeutic level: 10 to 20. Toxic level: >20

Dilantin (phenytoin)

Seizure medication. Therapeutic level: 10-20. Toxic level: >20

Bilirubin

Breakdown product of Red Blood Cells. Normal level in adults: 0.2 to 1.2. Elevated level in newborns: 10 to 20. Toxicity in newborns: >20

Kernicterus

Excess bilirubin in the brain, occurring when the level in the blood gets >20. Can be deadly due to aseptic meningitis or encephalopathy.

Opisthotonos

Position a newborn assumes due to irritation of the meninges from kernicterus, presenting as a hyperextended posture. Is a medical emergency, place newborn on the side

Hiatal Hernia

A gastric emptying problem where gastric contents are regurgitated upward or backward into the esophagus, like a cow with two stomachs. Symptoms similar to GERD.

Dumping Syndrome

Gastric contents are dumped too quickly into the duodenum, right direction but at the wrong rate. Symptoms include Drunk, Shock, and Acute Abdominal Distress. Occurs 15-30 minutes after eating.

Kalemias

Kalemias do the same as the prefix (hypo-, hyper-), except for HR and urine output which go opposite.

Calcemia

Calcemias do the opposite as the prefix.

Magnesemias

Magnesemias do the opposite as the prefix.

Natremias

Hyponatremia = Volume overload. Hypernatremia = Dehydration

Hypernatremia

Hot, flushed, dry skin, thready pulse, rapid HR, associate with dehydration.

Hyponatremia

Crackles, distended neck veins, associate with fluid overload.

Paresthesia

Numbness and tingling.

Circumoral paresthesia

Numbness and tingling around the lips.

Paresis

Muscle weakness.

Treatment to High Potassium

Give D5W and regular insulin to decrease potassium, this will drive the potassium into the cell and out of the blood, temporary solution but quick

Kayexalate

Exchanges potassium for sodium, potassium is eliminated through feces and patient becomes hypernatremic, the downside is it takes hours to work; give D5W, Regular insulin, and Kayexalate at the same time