Practice Flashcards: Critical Care & Nursing Fundamentals

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering critical care assessments, shock stages, laboratory interpretations, and nursing interventions for mechanical ventilation and acute illnesses.

Serum amylase in acute pancreatitis

A laboratory value that rises within 2 to 12 hours of onset and returns to normal within 3 to 4 days with treatment.

Stage I Hemorrhagic Shock

Compensated shock with blood loss < 15% ($< 1L$), heart rate $< 100$ bpm, normal blood pressure, and capillary refill $< 2$ seconds.

Stage II Hemorrhagic Shock

Mild shock with 15-30% blood loss ($1-1.5L$), heart rate of 110 bpm, orthostatic hypotension, and clammy skin.

Stage III Hemorrhagic Shock

Moderate shock with 30-40% blood loss ($1.5-2L$), tachycardia of 120-140 bpm, decreased BP (SBP $< 90$ mmHg), and capillary refill $> 3$ seconds.

Stage IV Hemorrhagic Shock

Severe shock with blood loss $> 40$ ($> 2L$), tachycardia $> 140$ bpm, SBP $< 80$ mmHg, and cold mottled skin.

Acute Myocardial Infarction EKG findings

Presence of Q waves, ST elevation in inferior leads, and QRS lengthening, often indicating right coronary artery occlusion.

VAP prevention strategies

Interventions including performing oral hygiene every 2-4 hours and keeping the head of the bed elevated between 30-45 degrees.

Parkland Formula fluid distribution

A protocol where one-half of the calculated replacement fluid is infused during the first 8 hours after a burn injury.

Vesicular breath sounds

Lung sounds that indicate the re-expansion of a collapsed lung in a client with a chest tube.

Pulmonary Embolism nursing priority

After ensuring adequate oxygenation via therapy, the next intervention is to begin anticoagulant therapy.

High peak airway pressure ($> 55 \text{ cm H}_2\text{O}$)

A ventilator alarm trigger that requires the nurse to check for tubing kinks or obstructions if the client has symmetrical chest movement and stable vitals.

Air Embolism

A risk following central venous catheter disconnection; clinical signs include anxiety and confusion due to oxygen deprivation.

Venodilation CVP finding

Indicated by central venous pressure readings that are slowly trending downward.

Adenosine (Adenocard)

The medication used to terminate supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) rhythm.

Aspirin during breastfeeding

Discouraged due to high secretion in breast milk, which may cause antiplatelet effects or metabolic acidosis in the infant.

Cardiac Hypertrophy triad

Manifestations including syncope, chest pain (angina), and dyspnea during exercise.

Medulla Oblongata

Part of the brainstem containing nuclei that control heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, and swallowing.

Cholinergic Crisis

Drug overdose from neostigmine characterized by "DUMBBELS" symptoms (diarrhea, bradycardia, emesis, etc.) and treated with IV atropine.

International Normalized Ratio (INR) therapeutic range

The normal target is $2.0-3.0$; values like $4.2$ indicate a serious risk for excessive bleeding.

Third-degree (full thickness) burns

Burns involving the entire dermis and subcutaneous tissue; often painless due to destroyed nerve endings and appearing white, leathery, or charred.

Cyclosporine modified (Gengraf) teaching

Instructions must include daily blood pressure monitoring, routine blood tests for toxicity, and avoiding grapefruit juice.

Red man syndrome

A side effect of rapid vancomycin infusion caused by histamine release, resulting in flushing, itching, and red maculopapular skin eruptions.