Nursing

BP

Blood Pressure

Measures the force of blood against artery walls.

HR

Heart Rate

Measures heart beats per minute.

RR

Respiratory Rate

Measures breaths per minute.

SpO₂

Oxygen Saturation

Measures oxygen levels in blood.

PNR

As needed (pro re nata)

NPO

Nothing by Mouth (nil per os)

IV

Intravenous (into or within a vein)

IM

Intramuscular (into or within a muscle)

SC

Subcutaneous (under the skin)

asepsis

Free from disease causing microorganisms.

sepsis

The body’s extreme, life threatening reaction to an infection.

Brady-

Slow

Tachy-

Fast

Hyper-

High

Hypo-

Low

-itis

Inflammation

-ology

Study of

-ectomy

Surgical Removal

Cardiovascular system

Transports oxygen, nutrients and hormones around the body.

Made of the Heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Respiratory system

Allows oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal.

Made of the Airways and Lungs.

Nervous system

Controls communication throughout the body.

Made of the Brain, Spinal cord, and Nerves.

Musculoskeletal system

Gives the body shape, allows it to move and protects its organs.

Made of Bones, Muscles, and Joints.

Digestive system

Breaks down food into, tiny parts, absorbs nutrients for energy, and removes waste

Made of the GI tract, Liver, and Pancreas.

Urinary system

Filters blood, makes urine, and removes liquid waste from the body.

Made of Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder.

Endocrine

Uses hormones to control growth, metabolism, and mood.

Made of Hormone producing glands.

Integumentary system

The body’s outer protective layer, that act as a barrier to shield the body from damage, infection, and water loss.

Made of Skin, Hair, and Nails.

Immune/Lymphatic System

Protects the body from infection and disease.

Made of Lymph nodes, Spleen and Immune Cells.

Reproductive System

Produces reproductive cells and hormones.

Made of Reproductive organs.

Homeostasis

The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment.

Normal Temp

36.5–37.5°C

Normal Pulse

60-100bpm

Normal Respirations

12-20/min

Normal Blood Pressure

120/80mmHg

Normal SpO₂

95-100%

Chain of Infection

Infectious agent- Reservoir- Portal of exit- Method of transmission- Portal of entry- Susceptible host.

SBAR Handover

Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation.

Six Rights of Medication Administration

Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation.

Medication Calculation Formula

Dose required/dose available x Quantity= Amount to give

Four Chambers of the Heart

Right Atrium, Right Ventricle, Left Atrium, Left Ventricle.

WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

Before touching a patient, before a procedure, after bodily fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, after touching patient surroundings.

Anterior

Front of the Body.

Posterior

Back of the Body.

Superior

Above

Inferior

Below

Medial

Towards the Middle

Lateral

Away from the Middle

Proximal

Closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

Further away from the point of attachment.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects how the body controls blood glucose.

Nurses may monitor: Blood glucose levels, diet, medication, wound healing

Hypertension

High blood pressure.

Possible risks: Heart disease, stroke, kidney problems.

Infection

Signs may include: Fever, increased pain, redness, swelling, changes in observations.