HA Exam 2

Non-Parenteral Medication Administration

Administration of medications through routes other than injections into veins, muscles, or subcutaneous tissues.

Oral (PO)

Medications taken by mouth, including sublingual (under the tongue) and buccal (in the cheek) routes.

Topical

Application of medications on the skin or mucous membranes for absorption into the bloodstream.

Suppositories

Medications administered vaginally or rectally for absorption through the membranes into the bloodstream.

Medication Administration

A crucial aspect of nursing practice involving complex processes and taking up a significant portion of a nurse's time.

Pain Assessment

Evaluation of acute and chronic pain, including different types like somatic, visceral, and neuropathic pain.

Breast and Axillae Assessment

Examination of breast tissue, lymphatic drainage, and assessment of any abnormalities or changes in the breasts and axillae.

Reproductive System and Perineum Assessment

Evaluation of the female and male reproductive systems, including puberty stages, menopause, and aging-related changes.

Rectal columns

Mucous membranes in longitudinal folds with the hemorrhoidal plexus.

Hemorrhoidal plexus

Network of arteries and veins in the rectal columns.

Internal sphincter

Smooth muscle with involuntary control.

External sphincter

Skeletal muscle with voluntary control for defecation.

External hemorrhoids

May resemble purple grapes around the anus.

Rectal examination

Procedure to check for stool presence and performed in specific positions.

Cerebral cortex

Brain's outer layer for high functions like thought and memory.

Lobes of the brain

Frontal, Temporal, Parietal, Occipital with specific functions.

Cranial nerves

12 pairs exiting the brain for various functions.

Autonomic Nervous System

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic divisions for involuntary actions.

Somatic Nervous System

Voluntary control of skeletal muscles and sensory input.

Musculoskeletal Assessment

Involves movements like flexion, extension, rotation, and muscle strength grading.

Neurological Assessment

Involves CNS, spinal cord, brain lobes, tracts, and reflexes.

Dermatome maps

Show areas of skin connected to specific spinal nerves.

Reflexes

Deep tendon, Superficial, Visceral, and Pathologic reflexes with assessments.

Spinothalamic tract

Sensory pathway for light touch and pain perception

Posterior Column Tract

Pathway for vibration and position sense

LOC

Level of Consciousness

Lethargic

Arousable but easily returns to sleep, responds to name

Obtunded

Requires vigorous stimuli to awaken, returns to sleep quickly

Stuporous

Only wakes with pain stimuli, minimal response

Semicomatose

Responds to pain with abnormal movements

Comatose

Unresponsive to all stimuli

Glasgow Coma Scale

Assessment tool for consciousness levels

Decorticate

Abnormal flexion posture to protect core

Decerebrate

Abnormal extension posture, head tilted back

GCS Scoring

Severe (3-8), Moderate (9-12), Mild (13-15)

GCS Interpretation

Wall score of 3 is the lowest, max score is 15

Airway Protection

Consider if GCS score is less than 8