LABS & DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES

Medical Surgical Nursing Flashcards

What is the purpose of diagnostic tests?

Eliminate or confirm the presence of disease.

What are some examples of diagnostic testing?

Drawing blood, collecting urine samples, and imaging.

Who orders diagnostic testing?

Provider.

What must the nurse do after sample collection?

Follow up and interpret.

Where are lab samples obtained from?

Intravascular space.

What factors may cause laboratory value ranges to vary in each person?

Age, gender, nationality.

What is it called if the lab value is outside of the normal range?

Abnormal.

What is considered a critical lab value?

Life-threatening.

What is the first responsibility when dealing with critical lab values?

Assess your client immediately for any complications.

What ability do substances acquire to be considered electrolytes?

To conduct electricity.

What are examples of electrolytes?

Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride, Phosphate.

What complications may follow electrolyte imbalances?

Cardiac and/or neurological complications.

What can changes electrolytes cause to the heart?

Cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.

What is the normal range for sodium?

136-145 mEq/L.

What is a major role of sodium?

Serum osmolality.

What is it called when sodium is low?

Hyponatremia.

What is it called when sodium is high?

Hypernatremia.

What should the nurse assess/monitor in a patient with hyponatremia?

Mental status.

What is the intervention to replace for a patient with hyponatremia?

Sodium.

What are signs and symptoms of hypernatremia?

Thirst, mental status changes, excitability of muscles and neurons, and seizures.

What should the nurse consider restricting in a patient with hypernatremia?

Sodium.

What are dietary sources of sodium?

Table salt, canned food items, soup, processed foods, soda and soy sauce.

What is the normal range for potassium?

3.5-5 mEq/L.

What is potassium important for?

Cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle function.

What is it called when potassium is low?

Hypokalemia.

What is it called when potassium is high?

Hyperkalemia.

How can Hypokalemia affect the cardiovascular system?

Cardiac arrhythmias can lead to cardiac arrest.

How does hypokalemia affect the respiratory system?

Shallow, ineffective respirations.

How does hypokalemia affect the skeletal muscles?

Muscle cramping.

What is an intervention to take for a patient with Hypokalemia?

Cardiac monitor.

How does Hyperkalemia affect the cardiovascular system?

Cardiac arrhythmias → can lead to cardiac arrest!

What are the effects of Hyperkalemia on the muscles?

Twitching and cramps.

What medications can you give to decrease for a high potassium patient?

Potassium.

What are dietary sources of potassium?

Bananas, spinach, potatoes, avocados.

What is the normal range for calcium?

9-10.5 mg/dL.

What are the roles of calcium?

Muscle contraction and maintaining normal heart rhythm.

What is it called when calcium is low?

Hypocalcemia.

What is it called when calcium is high?

Hypercalcemia.

What vitamin is needed for Calcium absorption to occur?

Vitamin D.

How does Hypocalcemia affect the cardiovascular system?

Cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.

What indicates Hypocalcemia?

Trousseau & Chvoskek signs.

What is a cause of Hypocalcemia?

Vitamin D deficiency.

What to administer when a patient has Hypocalcemia?

Calcium Gluconate.

What does the B stand for in Hypercalcemia signs and symptoms?

BONE pain.

What does the A stand for in Hypercalcemia signs and symptoms?

Arrhythmias.

What does the C stand for in Hypercalcemia signs and symptoms?

Cardiac Arrest.

What does the K stand for in Hypercalcemia signs and symptoms?

Kidney Stones.

What does the M stand for in Hypercalcemia signs and symptoms?

Muscle Weakness.

What does the E stand for in Hypercalcemia signs and symptoms?

Excessive Urination.

Excessive intake of Calcium & causes Hypercalcemia.

Calcium & Vitamin D.

What medication do you administer to decrease the Calcium levels for a patient with Hypercalcemia.

Decrease

What are Dietary Sources of Calcium?

Dairy, Fortified cereals, Tofu.

What is the normal range for Magnesium?

1.3-2.1 mEq/L.

Magnesium imbalances are usually accompanied by what electrolyte imbalance?

Calcium.

What is it called when magnesium is low?

Hypomagnesemia.

What is it called when magnesium is high?

Hypermagnesemia.

How does Hypomagnesemia affect the body?

Cardiac dysrhythmias & Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes.

What is one of the causes of Hypomagnesemia?

Chronic alcoholism.

What are the interventions to treat Hypomagnesemia?

Supplements and Diet.

How does Hypermagnesemia affect the body?

Cardiac arrhythmias and Hypotension.

What medication do you administer to decrease the Magnesium levels for a patient with Hypermagnesemia.

Decrease

What are Dietary Sources of Magnesium?

Green leafy vegetables, Nuts, legumes, whole grains.

What is the normal range for Chloride?

98-106 mEq/L.

Chloride helps maintain what of the body?

Body’s acid-base balance.

What is the normal range for Phosphate?

3-4.5 mg/dL

Phosphate is necessary for formation of what two structural elements in the body?

Bones and teeth.

What binds with oxygen in the body to form phosphate?

Phosphorus

Most phosphate within the body is stored in the what?

Bones.

What is the normal blood pH?

7.35 to 7.45

What is the normal range for PCO2?

32-45 mm Hg

What is the normal range for HCO3 or Bicarbonate?

20-26 mEq/L

What is it called when blood pH is at 6.9?

Acidosis.

What is it called when blood pH is at 8.0?

Alkalosis.

What is the normal value of Red Blood Cells?

4.2-6.1 X 1012 /L.

What do red blood cells carry throughout the body?

Oxygen.

What is the normal range for Hemoglobin?

12-18 g/dL.

Hemoglobin is the vehicle for what type of transport?

Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport

What is the normal range for Hematocrit?

37-52%.

What does Erythrocytosis elevate?

Red blood cells, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit.

Erythropenia is associated with what that causes RBC's, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit to decrease?

Hemorrhage.

What is the normal range for Platelets?

150,000-400,000/m3.

What helps control bleeding when there is an injury?

Platelets

What is Thrombocytosis?

Elevated platelet count.

What is White blood cells called?

Leukocytes.

What is the normal range of White blood cells?

5,000-10,000/mm3.

What do White blood cells function to do?

Protect against infections + react against foreign bodies or tissues .

What causes Leukocytosis?

Acute infection & Inflammation/Injury.

What causes Leukopenia?

Bone marrow disorder.

What kills + digest bacterial organisms?

Neutrophils.

What is it called when neutrophil production is significantly stimulated during an acute infection?

Shift to the left.

What are clotting factors?

Proteins that help to control bleeding

Where are Clotting factors sythesized?

Liver.

What is the normal range for PT?

11- 12.5 seconds.

What is the normal range for INR?

0.8-1.1

If PT/INR is decreased, what organ is at risk of failure?

Liver

What medication can increase PT/INR?

Warfarin

What is the therapeutic range for INR when a patient is taking Warfarin?

2-3

What is the normal range for PTT?

60-70 seconds.

If PTT is decreased, what organ is at risk of failure?

Liver

What medication can increase PTT?

Heparin