Medical-Surgical Nursing Review Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering respiratory disorders, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base balance, immunity, and nursing management based on lecture notes.

HAP (Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia)

Pneumonia with an onset occurring $\ge 48\text{h}$ after hospital admission.

Aspiration Pneumonia Risks

Conditions including dysphagia, decreased LOC, tube feedings, and advanced age (elderly).

Blue Bloater

A clinical term for chronic bronchitis characterized by productive cough, cyanosis, overweight status, and edema (cor pulmonale).

Pink Puffer

A clinical term for emphysema characterized by barrel chest, pursed-lip breathing, a thin/cachectic appearance, and prolonged expiration.

Hypoxic Drive

A condition in COPD patients where the stimulus to breathe is low oxygen rather than high $CO_2$; oxygen saturation should be maintained at $88\text{--}92\%$, not $100\%$.

Hyponatremia

A sodium level below $135$, manifesting as headache, confusion, lethargy, seizures, muscle weakness, and nausea.

Hypernatremia

A sodium level above $145$, manifesting as thirst, dry sticky mucous membranes, restlessness, agitation, and low urine output.

Hypokalemia ECG Findings

Electrolytes imbalance ($K < 3.5$) characterized by a flattened T wave and the presence of a U wave.

Hyperkalemia ECG Findings

Electrolytes imbalance ($K > 5.0$) characterized by peaked T waves, widened QRS, and risk of cardiac arrest.

Calcium Gluconate

Administered for cardiac protection in hyperkalemia and used as the antidote for hypermagnesemia.

Trousseau's Sign

A carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff; a sign of hypocalcemia ($Ca < 9$).

Chvostek's Sign

A facial twitch occurring when tapping the facial nerve; an indicator of hypocalcemia ($Ca < 9$).

ROME (ABG Interpretation)

A mnemonic where Respiratory is Opposite (pH and $CO_2$ move in opposite directions) and Metabolic is Equal (pH and $HCO_3$ move in the same direction).

Respiratory Acidosis

A disorder where pH is low and $CO2$ is high, commonly caused by hypoventilation, COPD, or opioid overdose.

Metabolic Acidosis

A disorder where pH is low and $HCO_3$ is low, commonly caused by DKA, renal failure, or diarrhea.

Kussmaul Respirations

Deep, rapid breathing seen as a compensatory mechanism in Metabolic Acidosis (specifically DKA).

Type I Hypersensitivity

Anaphylactic/Immediate IgE-mediated reaction occurring within minutes, involving mast cell and histamine release.

Type IV Hypersensitivity

Delayed/Cell-Mediated reaction taking $24\text{--}72$ hours, such as contact dermatitis or TB skin tests.

Latex-Fruit Syndrome

Cross-reactivity where latex allergy patients react to banana, avocado, kiwi, chestnut, papaya, tomato, potato, and passion fruit.

Artificial Active Immunity

Long-term immunity gained after the body makes its own antibodies in response to a vaccination.

Natural Passive Immunity

Temporary immunity acquired via antibodies from a mother through the placenta or breastmilk.

ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count)

A measure used for neutropenic precautions; counts below $1000$, and especially below $500$, indicate severe infection risk.

Cullen's Sign

Bluish discoloration around the umbilicus, signaling hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

Grey Turner's Sign

Bluish discoloration of the flank area, signaling hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

TACO (Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload)

A transfusion reaction manifesting as dyspnea, crackles, JVD, and hypertension.

Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

A dangerous Type II cytotoxic reaction from ABO mismatch presenting with fever, chills, low back pain, and hemoglobinuria.

Hyperparathyroidism Symptoms

Summarized as 'Bones, stones, groans, and psychiatric overtones' due to hypercalcemia ($Ca > 10.5$).

Thoracentesis Position

Patient sits upright, leaning forward over a bedside table to open intercostal spaces during fluid aspiration.

AIDS Stage

A stage of HIV infection defined by a CD4 count $< 200$ and the presence of opportunistic infections.

LPN/LVN Scope

Management of stable patients, reinforcing teaching, and administering PO, IM, or subQ medications.