NCLEX Brain Dump funddemental

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering nursing priorities, delegation, infection control, equipment use, acid-base balances, IV fluids, electrolytes, and pharmacology antidotes based on the provided lecture notes.

ABCs

A priority framework used to determine patient care order.

Maslow's

Priority framework stating that physiological needs always come first.

Acute/New onset

A condition prioritized over chronic conditions in the nursing priority framework.

Fresh post-op (12hr)

A patient status that wins priority over other stable or chronic cases.

RN (Registered Nurse)

The nurse who cannot delegate evaluation, assessment, or teaching ($EAT$).

LPN/LVNs (Licensed Practical Nurses)

Staff members who can reinforce teaching, care for stable patients, perform routine med administration, wound care, tube feeds, and foley insertion.

UAPs (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel)

Staff members who can perform $ADLs$, transport stable patients, and take vital signs ($VS$) on stable patients.

Airborne Precautions

Used for infections like $TB$, Rubeola (measles), Varicella (chickenpox)/Varicella zoster (shingles), $SARS$, and Smallpox; requiring a negative-pressure, private room, closed door, and an $N95$ mask for the nurse.

Droplet Precautions

Used for infections like Strep, Pertussis, Influenza, Diphtheria, Epiglottitis, Rubella, Mumps, Adenovirus, and Neisseria meningitis; requiring a surgical mask within $3\,ft$ and a mask on the patient during transport.

Contact Precautions

Used for $MRSA$, respiratory infections ($RSV$), skin infections, wound care, eye infections, and enteric infections like $c.diff$ or Norovirus; requiring gloves and gowns.

Donning PPE Order

The sequence of putting on equipment: $1.$ Gown, $2.$ Mask, $3.$ Goggles, $4.$ Gloves ($"Go\,make\,eyes\,Glo"$).

Doffing PPE Order

The sequence of taking off equipment: $1.$ Gloves, $2.$ Goggles, $3.$ Gown, $4.$ Mask (alphabetical order).

Cane Ambulation

The cane is held on the stronger side and moved $6-10\,in$ forward; the weak side moves with the cane, then the strong side moves past the cane.

Crutch Walking Rule

The mnemonic "Up with the Good, Down with the Bad" used for navigating stairs.

pH Range

Normal values from $7.35$ to $7.45$, with $7.4$ being perfect.

$CO_2$ Range

Normal values range from $35$ to $45$, representing the respiratory component of $ABGs$.

$HCO_3$ Range

Normal values range from $22$ to $26$, representing the metabolic component of $ABGs$.

Fully Compensated $ABG$

Occurs when the $pH$ is normal range but both $CO_2$ and $HCO_3$ are abnormal because one is fixing the problem caused by the other.

Isotonic IV Fluids

Fluids such as $0.9\%\,NS$ and $LR$ that cause no fluid shifts and are used for blood loss, fluid loss, and fluid resuscitation for burn patients.

Hypotonic IV Fluids

Fluids such as $0.45\%\,NS$ and $D5W$ that cause fluid to shift INTO cells; used for $DKA$, $HHNS$, and $HYPERna^+$.

Hypertonic IV Fluids

Fluids such as $3\%$, $5\%\,NS$, $D5LR$, and $D10W$ that cause fluid to shift OUT of cells; used for $HYPOnat$ and Cerebral Edema.

Sodium ($Na^+$)

Normal range is $135-145$; levels are associated with neurological symptoms.

Potassium ($K^+$)

Normal range is $3.5-5.0$; prefixes ($hyper/hypo$) indicate the direction of symptoms EXCEPT for heart rate and urine output.

Calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) and Magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$) Rule

Symptoms show the opposite direction of their prefixes; for skeletal, muscle, or nerve symptoms, choose Calcium ($9.0-10.5$) first, then Magnesium ($1.5-2.5$).

IV Gauges

Large-bore needles are classified as $\le 20\,G$; the smaller the $G$, the larger the needle.

Ear Drop Administration

For adults ($>3$ years), pull the pinna up and back; for children ($<3$ years), pull the pinna down and back.

High Fowler's Position

Used for $PE$, Pulmonary Edema, Lung Expansion, "Fowler's" $ICP$, Aspiration risk, and Automatic Dysreflexia.

Trendelenburg Position

Used for Air Embolism, Prolapsed Cord, and to increase blood pressure ($BP$).

Acetaminophen Antidote

Acetylcysteine.

Heparin Antidote

Protamine Sulfate.

Warfarin Antidote

Phytonacione (vit K).

Magnesium Sulfate Antidote

Cal gluconate.