ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURISM
“4-A’s”
Asymptomatic
Abdominal mass
Abdominal pulse
Aches low back
ABDOMINAL DISTENSTION
"5-F's"
Fat
Fluid
Feces
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Flatus
Fetus
ACE INHIBITOR SIDE EFFECTS
"CAPTOPRIL"
Cough
Anaphylaxis
Palpitations
Taste
Orthostatic -↓BP
Potassium - ↑K+
Renal impairment
Impotence
Leukocytosis
ACID-BASE
"ROME" – Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal
ACIDOSIS
» Respiratory (opposite): pH Pco2
» Metabolic (equal): pH HCO3
ALKALOSIS
» Respiratory (opposite): pH Pco2
» Metabolic (equal): pH HCO3
ACIDOSIS/ALKALOSIS
“ROME”
Respiratory Opposite:
pH↑ PCO2↓ = alkalosis
pH↓ PCO2↑ = acidosis
Metabolic Equal:
pH↑ HCO3↑ = Alkalosis
pH↓ HCO3↓ = Acidosis
ACIDOSIS/ALKALOSIS – COMPENSTATION
“RUB MUB”
Respiratory Uses Bicarb
Metabolic Uses Breathing
ALKALOSIS AND ACIDOSIS
AlKalosis has “K” – it’s “K”icking pH up = PH↑
AciDosis has “D” – it’s “D”ropping pH Down = PH↓
ACUTE INFLAMMATION FEATURES
Think: "what a cute pair of SLIPpeRs" to tie acute
inflammation to “SLIPR”mnemonic).
“SLIPR”
Swelling
Loss of function
Increased heat
Pain
Redness
ADRENAL GLAND HORMONES
“SSS”
S-sugar (Glucocorticoids)
S-salt (Mineralocorticoids)
S-sex (Androgens)
AIMS for improvement
“PETEES” AIMS
P - Patient centered care
E - Efficient
T - Timely
E - Effective
E - Equitable
S - Safety
ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL – CLINICAL FEATURES
"HITS"
Hallucinations (visual, tactile)
Increased vital signs & insomnia
Tremens delirium tremens (potentially lethal)
Shakes/Sweat/Seizures/Stomach pain (N/V)
ALCOHOLISM – BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
“5-D's”
D- Denial
D- Dependency
D- Demanding
D- Destructive
D- Domineering
ALCOHOLISM OUTCOME
“BAD”
B- Brain Damage
A- Alcoholic Hallucinosis
D- Death
ALDOSTERONE IS REGULATED BY:
"RNA’S"
Renin-angiotensin mechanism
Na concentration in blood
Anp (ANP – atrial natriuretic peptide)
Stress
ALZHEIMER – “5 A’s” to DIAGNOSIS
“5-A's”
Amnesia – loss of memories
Anomia – unable to recall names of everyday objects
Apraxia – unable to perform tasks of movement
Agnosia – inability to process sensory information
Aphasia – disruption with ability to communicate
ANGINA – PRECIPITATING FACTORS
"4-E's"
Eating
Emotion
Exertion (Exercise)
Extreme Temperatures (Hot/Cold weather)
“ANOREXIA” – EATING DISORDER
A-menorrhea delayed
N-o organic factors accounts for weight loss
O-obviously thin but feels FAT
R-refusal to maintain normal body weight
E-epigastric discomfort is common
X-symptoms (peculiar symptoms)
I-intense fears of gaining weight
A-always thinking of foods
ANOREXIA NERVOSA – CLINICAL FEATURES
"ANOREXIC"
A-adolescent women/Amenorrhea
N-GT alimentation (most severe cases)
O-obsession w/ wt. loss/becoming fat though
underweight
R-refusal to eat (5% die)
E-electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., K+, cardiac
arrhythmia)
X-exercise
I-intelligence often above average/Induced
vomiting
C-cathartic use (and diuretic abuse)
ANTICHOLINERGIC CRISIS
Can't see (blurred vision)
Can't spit (dry mouth)
Can't pee (urinary retention)
Can't shit (constipation)
ANTICHOLINERGIC CRISIS – SIGNS
"SLUD"
Salivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation
ANTI-TB DRUGS & SIDE EFFECTS
“RIPES”
Rifampicin – red-orange urine
Isoniazid – peripheral neuritis
Pyrazinamide – increase uric acid
Ethambutol – eye problems
Streptomycin – ototoxic
(use a star as these drugs stain the teeth) – ???
(H-eat, I-nduration) – ???
APGAR SCORING
"APGAR"
Appearance: cyanosis--peripheral, central, none
Pulse: pulse rate
Grimace: response to stimulation
Activity: movement of the baby (muscle tone)
Respiration: respiratory rate
APPENDICITIS - ASSESSMENT
“PAINS”
Pain (RLQ) - pain in RLQ of abdomen
Anorexia - loss of appetite
Increased temperature, WBC (15,000-20,000)
Nausea
Signs (McBurney's, Psoas)
ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES
1. look at pH:
Low pH = acidosis
High pH = alkalosis
2. use “ROME” mnemonic (to determine if its
respiratory or metabolic):
Respiratory – Opposite
Metabolic – Equal
ASSESSING CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR
"DEMENTIA"
Drug and alcohol
Eyes and ears
Metabolic and endocrine disorders
Emotional disorders
Neurologic disorders
Tumors and trauma
Infection
Arterial vascular disease
ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
"ASTHMA"
Adrenergics (Albuterol)
Steroids
Theophylline
Hydration (IV)
Mask (Oxygen)
Antibiotics
ASTHMA - MANAGEMENT
Asthma is a spasm of the airways, which causes
difficulty breathing.
“ASTHMA”
Adrenergic (Albuterol)
Steroids
Theophylline
Hydration (IV)
Mask (Oxygen)
Antibiotics
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION – NEW ONSET CAUSES
“THE ATRIAL FIBS”
Thyroid
Hypothermia
Embolism (PE)
Alcohol
Trauma (cardiac contusion)
Recent surgery (post CABG)
Ischemia
Atrial enlargement
Lone or idiopathic
Fever, anemia, high-output states
Infarct
Bad valves (mitral stenosis)
Stimulants (cocaine, theo, amphet, caffeine)
ATRIOVENTRICULAR VALVES
"LAB RAT"
Left Atrium: Bicuspid
Right Atrium: Tricuspid
ATROPINE
"A goes with B"
Atropine used to treat bradycardia.
BENNER'S MODEL
N - Nickerr's - easy to remember b/c it rhymes with
Benner's Novice – strictly able to focus on learning
the rules, onset of education
A - and - "ad"vanced beginners – distinguish
abnormal findings but cannot readily understand
significance
C - Comp - Competent – able to handle their pt.
load and prioritize situation
P - Planetary – big picture is the key word -
Proficiency
E - Experts – Leader/ role model not every nurse
becomes one.
BETA 1 AND BETA 2
Beta 1 adrenergic receptors are mostly found in the
heart. Beta 2 adrenergic receptors are found in
lungs, GI tract, vascular smooth muscle, skeletal
muscle, liver. Beta 1 beta blockers act primarily on
the heart. Beta 2 beta blockers act primarily on the
lungs.
Beta 1: heart
Beta 2: lungs - You have one heart and two lungs
BETA BLOCKERS
B1 Blocks the heart (only have ONE heart)
B2 Blocks the lungs (have TWO lungs)
BETA BLOCKER CONTRAINDICATIONS
"ABCDE"
Asthma
Block (heart block)
COPD
Diabetes mellitus
Electrolyte (hyperkalemia)
BETA BLOCKERS
"You have 1 heart and 2 lungs"
Beta-1 act primarily on heart
Beta-2 act primarily on lungs
BLEEDING PRECAUTIONS
“RANDI”
R- Razor Electric/Blades
A- Aspirin
N- No needles (esp. in small gauge)
D- Do decrease in needle sticks)
I - Injury (Protect from)
BLEEDING PRECAUTIONS
If a patient is taking an anticoagulant to prevent
blood clots there is increased risk for bleeding. Be
careful with blades when shaving. Do not take
aspirin as it interferes with blood clotting and can
magnify the effect of the medication. Avoid excess
needle sticks and protect the pat [Show Less]