State Exam Posters 2025 – Core Vocabulary

Essential vocabulary flashcards covering assessment tools, developmental theories, acid–base balance, transfusion reactions, pharmacology, fluid–electrolyte concepts, respiratory and cardiac pathologies for the 2025 state exam.

ADPIE

Five–step nursing process: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Intervention, Evaluation.

ISBAR

Structured clinical hand-over tool: Identification, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

SOAPIE

Problem-oriented progress note format: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, Intervention, Evaluation.

Te Whare Tapa Whā

Holistic Māori health model encompassing spiritual, mental/emotional, family/social and physical dimensions.

Ottawa Charter (1986)

WHO framework listing five action areas for health promotion: public policy, supportive environments, community action, personal skills, re-oriented services.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

Eight life stages where resolving specific conflicts (e.g., Trust vs Mistrust) shapes personality development.

Piaget’s Cognitive Theory

Four developmental stages (sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete operational, formal operational) describing how children acquire knowledge.

Freud’s Psychosexual Theory

Five stages (oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) where libido focuses on different body zones driving personality formation.

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Transition

Model describing how life changes (e.g., starting school) create stress that may alter behaviour and development.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

Laboratory test measuring pH, PaCO₂, PaO₂, HCO₃⁻ and SaO₂ to assess oxygenation and acid–base status.

PaCO₂

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood; respiratory component of acid–base balance (35–45 mm Hg).

HCO₃⁻

Bicarbonate level (22–26 mEq/L); metabolic base regulating blood pH.

Respiratory Acidosis

Acid–base disorder caused by CO₂ retention; characterised by low pH and high PaCO₂.

Metabolic Alkalosis

Alkalotic state from loss of acid or gain of base; high pH with elevated HCO₃⁻.

Renal Compensation

Kidneys adjust bicarbonate to correct pH; slow (hours–days).

Respiratory Compensation

Lungs alter CO₂ (ventilation) to normalise pH; rapid (minutes).

Packed Red Blood Cells

Blood component transfused to correct anaemia and improve tissue oxygenation.

Platelet Concentrate

Blood product given to restore haemostasis and assist clot formation.

Febrile Non-Hemolytic Reaction

Common transfusion adverse event marked by temperature ≥38 °C without hemolysis.

Opioid Mechanism of Action

Bind CNS μ, κ, δ receptors, inhibit adenylate cyclase and neurotransmitter release, dampening pain transmission.

Naloxone

Opioid antagonist that competitively blocks receptors and reverses respiratory depression.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Two-thirds of body fluid; potassium is predominant cation.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

One-third of body fluid, including plasma and interstitial fluid; sodium is main cation.

Hypotonic Solution

Less concentrated than plasma (e.g., 0.45 % NaCl); shifts water into cells.

Isotonic Solution

Same tonicity as plasma (e.g., 0.9 % NaCl); expands ECF without cell size change.

Hypertonic Solution

More concentrated than plasma (e.g., 3 % NaCl, D5NS); draws water out of cells.

Hypovolaemia

Loss of water and electrolytes producing low blood volume, hypotension and tachycardia.

Hypervolaemia

Fluid overload causing hypertension, oedema, crackles and weight gain.

Hypernatraemia

Serum sodium >145 mmol/L; presents with thirst, fluid retention, restlessness.

Hyponatraemia

Serum sodium <135 mmol/L; leads to headache, confusion, seizures.

Hyperkalaemia

Serum potassium >5.2 mmol/L; ECG shows tall T waves and widened QRS.

Hypokalaemia

Serum potassium <3.5 mmol/L; causes muscle weakness, U waves, arrhythmias.

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory airway disease with reversible bronchoconstriction and mucus hypersecretion.

β₂-Agonist (Salbutamol)

Inhaled bronchodilator that relaxes airway smooth muscle via β₂-receptor stimulation.

Corticosteroid (Prednisone)

Anti-inflammatory agent that suppresses immune response, reduces airway oedema and mucus.

Muscarinic Antagonist (Ipratropium)

Anticholinergic bronchodilator blocking M receptors to decrease vagal airway tone.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Progressive airflow limitation due to emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema

Destruction of alveolar walls leading to hyperinflated lungs and reduced gas-exchange surface.

Cystic Fibrosis

Genetic disorder causing defective CFTR protein, thick mucus, recurrent infections and malabsorption.

Pneumonia

Infection-induced lung inflammation with alveolar exudate reducing gas exchange.

Tension Pneumothorax

Trapped pleural air causing mediastinal shift, respiratory distress and circulatory collapse.

Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection forming caseating granulomas; symptoms include night sweats, haemoptysis.

Nasal Cannula

Low-flow oxygen device delivering 1–6 L/min (FiO₂ up to ~40 %).

Venturi Mask

High-precision oxygen mask with colour-coded valves delivering fixed FiO₂ (24–60 %).

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Device providing constant airway pressure to keep alveoli open and improve oxygenation.

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Autoimmune valve damage following untreated Group A streptococcal pharyngitis.

Mitral Regurgitation

Backward flow of blood from left ventricle to atrium due to damaged mitral valve.

Acute Glomerulonephritis

Immune complex-mediated inflammation of glomeruli leading to renal dysfunction after strep infection.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Inability of heart to pump or fill adequately, causing tissue hypoperfusion and fluid retention.

Systolic Heart Failure

Reduced ejection fraction due to weakened ventricular contraction.

Diastolic Heart Failure

Preserved ejection fraction with impaired ventricular relaxation and filling.

Left-Sided Heart Failure

Ventricular dysfunction leading to pulmonary congestion, dyspnoea and crackles.

Pulmonary Oedema

Fluid accumulation in lung interstitium/alveoli impairing gas exchange; hallmark of left HF.