Essential Nursing Review Notes

Blood Pressure Basics

• Normal blood pressure for adults: $120/80$
• Prehypertension: $120-129/80-89$
• Stage 1 Hypertension: $130-139/80-89$
• Stage 2 Hypertension: $140/90$
• Hypertensive Crisis: $180/120$

Cardiac Output

• Cardiac Output (CO) = Heart Rate (HR) x Stroke Volume (SV)
• Definition: Amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute

Pulse Definitions

• Apical Pulse: Measured at the apex of the heart
• Pulse Deficit: Difference between apical and radial pulse

Breathing Definitions

• Eupnea: Normal breathing
• Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing
• Apnea: Absence of breathing
• Tachypnea: Rapid breathing (
• Normal range for adults: 12 to 20 breaths per minute

Oxygen Levels

• Normal oxygen saturation: $95\% - 100\%$
• For COPD patients: Normal can be $92\%$
• Hypoxia: Insufficient oxygen in tissues
• Hypoxemia: Low oxygen in the blood

Vital Signs

• Core vital signs: Blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, respiration, pulse, and pain (fifth vital sign)
• Pain assessment may include facial expressions

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

• Evaluates Consciousness: Asking basic questions (name, location, date, reason for being there)
• Documented as "A x 4" for fully alert patient

Spinal Abnormalities

• Kyphosis: Forward bending of the spine
• Lordosis: Inward curvature of the spine
• Scoliosis: Lateral curvature (S-shape)

Lung Sounds

• Adventitious sounds include:
  • Wheezing: High-pitched, musical sounds (asthma, bronchitis)
  • Rhonchi: Low-pitched, snoring sound (clears with coughing)
  • Stridor: High-pitched wheezing (indicative of airway obstruction)

Nursing Process

• Five steps: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation

Conclusion

• Importance of knowledge and teamwork in nursing to provide competent patient care.