Nursing Exam Review Flashcards

A series of flashcards covering essential nursing concepts, definitions, and actions to aid in exam preparation.

Physiological Changes with Aging

Decreased bladder capacity, reflexes, difficulty seeing due to glare sensitivity, dehydration of intervertebral discs.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A framework prioritizing patient care starting with physiological needs (airway, breathing, circulation) and advancing through safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Negligence

Failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonable person would provide, resulting in harm.

Malpractice

Professional negligence by a healthcare provider leading to injury or harm to a patient.

Droplet Precautions

Infection control practices for diseases transmitted through respiratory droplets larger than 5 microns.

Doffing

Removing personal protective equipment (PPE) in a prescribed order to minimize contamination.

Immobility Complications

Issues resulting from lack of movement, including pressure injuries, muscle atrophy, decreased joint mobility, DVT, pneumonia, and constipation.

Signs of Infection

Fever, redness, swelling, warmth, drainage, elevated WBC count, malaise, increased pulse or respirations.

Anthrax

A serious infectious disease caused by bacteria, spread mainly through spores, not person-to-person.

Diet for Constipation

High-fiber diet with plenty of fluids and activity to promote bowel movement.

Saturated Fats

Fats that are solid at room temperature; increase LDL cholesterol and are linked to cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Common in vegan patients due to lack of animal products, requiring supplementation.

Metabolic Alkalosis

A condition caused by loss of stomach acid from vomiting, leading to elevated blood pH.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

Lifelong insulin therapy with continuous glucose monitoring and careful carbohydrate intake.

Dumping Syndrome

A condition resulting from rapid gastric emptying; managed with small, low-carb meals and positioning post-meal.

Skin Care for Dryness

Encourage fluid intake, use moisturizers, and advise short baths with gentle soap.

Delegating to CNA

CNA tasks include grooming, bathing, and vital signs on stable patients but do not perform assessments.

Respiratory Distress Action

Stop activity and position the patient for optimal breathing; assess respiratory status.

Electric Razor Use

Recommended for patients at risk for bleeding to minimize cuts.

Home Medications Policy

Nurse must administer, not prepare or chart medications that were prepared by another nurse.

IV Medication Onset

IV medications have the fastest therapeutic onset as they enter directly into the bloodstream.

Renal Function Tests

Tests including BUN and creatinine used to evaluate kidney function.

Antagonist

A drug that blocks or counteracts the action of another substance or receptor.

Liver Function Tests

Tests measuring liver enzymes and bilirubin to assess liver health and functionality.

Unexplained Weight Gain

Can indicate fluid retention possibly due to heart failure or renal issues, requiring evaluation.

Dyspnea

The sensation of difficulty breathing commonly indicating underlying cardiopulmonary issues.

Bradypnea

An abnormally slow respiratory rate, typically fewer than 12 breaths per minute.

Tachypnea

An abnormally fast respiratory rate exceeding 20 breaths per minute.