Medical-Surgical Nursing Lecture Notes

This flashcard set covers postoperative care, oncological procedures, diagnostic screenings, hematology, and cardiovascular rehabilitation based on the lecture notes.

Bariatric surgery

Surgical intervention for morbid obesity performed only after nonsurgical attempts at weight control have failed, typically requiring $6-12$ months of preoperative counseling and evaluation.

Dumping syndrome

A complication of gastric bypass (Raux-en-y) characterized by nausea, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, sweating, and tachycardia, usually occurring after high-sugar meals.

Oropharyngeal cancer

Malignancies of the oral cavity, usually squamous cell cancers, most commonly affecting the lips, lateral tongue, and floor of the mouth.

Indurated

A term meaning hardened; used to describe the typical painless ulcer with raised edges found in oral cancer.

Radical neck dissection

A surgical procedure involving the removal of all cervical lymph nodes (mandible to clavicle), the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), internal jugular vein (IJV), and spinal accessory nerve (CN XI).

Xerostomia

Dryness of the mouth, which is a common symptom following radical neck surgery or radiation therapy.

Continuous tube feedings

$24$-hour feedings delivered via a pump, requiring the head of the bed to be elevated at $30-45^{\circ}$ and flushing with at least $30\,mL$ of water every $4$ hours to maintain patency.

Jejunostomy tube

A feeding tube placed in the midsection of the small intestines, typically used for long-term support (greater than $6$ weeks) or when gastric emptying is impaired.

Colonoscopy

Direct visual inspection of the large intestine (anus, rectum, sigmoid, transcending and ascending colon) using a flexible fiberoptic colonoscope for cancer screening and biopsy.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

A diagnostic imaging tool that uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals instead of x-rays to yield detailed images of pulmonary nodules, carcinonma, or inflammatory activity.

Abdominal girth measurement

A bedside technique where the nurse marks the abdomen and uses a tape measure at the level of the umbilicus each day to monitor ascites or fluid retention.

Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride)

The only solution used to initiate a transfusion of red blood cells, whole blood, platelets, or leukocytes to prevent hemolysis.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs)

Medications such as Epoetin alfa and Darbepoetin alfa used to treat anemia by stimulating red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)

A heterogeneous group of cancers originating from neoplastic growth of lymphoid tissue, most commonly involving malignant B lymphocytes and lacking Reed-Sternberg cells.

Iron supplement absorption

Iron intake should be combined with Vitamin C (e.g., orange juice) to enhance absorption and staggered with calcium supplements, which decrease absorption.

Warfarin

An oral anticoagulant that may require $3-5$ days to achieve a therapeutic effect and is regulated by monitoring the International Normalized Ratio (INR).

INR (International Normalized Ratio)

A standardized method for monitoring prothrombin levels in patients on warfarin; the normal range is $0.8-1.2$, while the therapeutic range is $2-3.5$ depending on the diagnosis.

Erythropoietin

A hormone produced by the kidneys in response to decreased oxygen tension that stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

Bone marrow biopsy

A procedure where samples are taken from the posterior iliac crest under local anesthesia to evaluate hematologic disorders or infectious diseases.

Cellulitis

A common bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (often streptococcus or staphylococcus) causing limb swelling, redness, warmth, and pain.

Neutrophils

A type of granulocyte WBC that serves as the body’s primary defense against bacterial infection.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

A manifestation of atherosclerosis causing narrowing of arteries, which results in decreased blood flow and symptoms such as intermittent claudication and cool extremities.

Intermittent claudication

Pain in the legs when walking that is relieved by rest, a classic symptom of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

Cardiac rehabilitation Phase I

The initial phase of cardiac rehab that begins with the diagnosis of atherosclerosis during hospitalization and consists of low-level activities and initial education.

Cardiac rehabilitation Phase II

An outpatient program occurring after discharge lasting $4-6$ weeks, consisting of supervised, often ECG-monitored exercise based on stress test results.

Cardiac rehabilitation Phase III

A self-directed phase of cardiac rehab focused on maintaining cardiovascular stability and long-term conditioning without the need for a supervised program.