Podcast
Questions and Answers
A patient with chronic heart failure is admitted with shortness of breath and edema. Which nursing action takes highest priority?
A patient with chronic heart failure is admitted with shortness of breath and edema. Which nursing action takes highest priority?
- Reviewing the patient's medication list.
- Elevating the patient's legs and feet.
- Administering prescribed diuretics.
- Assessing respiratory status and oxygen saturation. (correct)
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports increasing pain at the surgical site along with a fever. What should be the nurse's initial action?
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports increasing pain at the surgical site along with a fever. What should be the nurse's initial action?
- Reassuring the patient that postoperative pain is normal.
- Increasing the frequency of pain medication administration.
- Assessing the surgical site for signs of infection. (correct)
- Consulting with the physical therapy team.
Which intervention is most important for a nurse to perform to prevent complications in an immobilized patient?
Which intervention is most important for a nurse to perform to prevent complications in an immobilized patient?
- Encouraging the patient to watch television to distract from discomfort.
- Providing the patient with high-calorie snacks to prevent weight loss.
- Monitoring the patient's intake and output.
- Performing regular skin assessments and pressure relief measures. (correct)
A nurse is preparing to administer medication via an IV route. Which consideration is most important to ensure patient safety?
A nurse is preparing to administer medication via an IV route. Which consideration is most important to ensure patient safety?
A patient with diabetes mellitus is being discharged. What is the most important topic for the nurse to include in patient education?
A patient with diabetes mellitus is being discharged. What is the most important topic for the nurse to include in patient education?
Which nursing intervention is most effective in preventing the spread of infection in a hospital setting?
Which nursing intervention is most effective in preventing the spread of infection in a hospital setting?
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Which assessment finding would warrant immediate intervention by the nurse?
A patient is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Which assessment finding would warrant immediate intervention by the nurse?
Following abdominal surgery, a patient reports feeling 'constipated' and has not had a bowel movement in 3 days. What is the nurse's most appropriate initial action?
Following abdominal surgery, a patient reports feeling 'constipated' and has not had a bowel movement in 3 days. What is the nurse's most appropriate initial action?
A patient with a tracheostomy tube requires routine care. Which action would be most appropriate for the nurse to perform?
A patient with a tracheostomy tube requires routine care. Which action would be most appropriate for the nurse to perform?
A patient is receiving intravenous fluids at 100 mL/hr. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A patient is receiving intravenous fluids at 100 mL/hr. Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
When administering oxygen therapy to a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which approach is most appropriate?
When administering oxygen therapy to a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which approach is most appropriate?
A patient reports a pain level of 7 out of 10 after surgery. The prescribed pain medication is available in both oral and IV forms. Which consideration is most important when determining the route of administration?
A patient reports a pain level of 7 out of 10 after surgery. The prescribed pain medication is available in both oral and IV forms. Which consideration is most important when determining the route of administration?
A patient with a urinary catheter suddenly develops a fever, chills, and lower abdominal pain. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A patient with a urinary catheter suddenly develops a fever, chills, and lower abdominal pain. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled for surgery. Which action is most important for the nurse to take to ensure patient safety?
A nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled for surgery. Which action is most important for the nurse to take to ensure patient safety?
During a dressing change, a nurse notices signs/symptoms of a surgical site infection. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
During a dressing change, a nurse notices signs/symptoms of a surgical site infection. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving continuous intravenous (IV) fluids. Which intervention is most important for preventing complications related of IV therapy?
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving continuous intravenous (IV) fluids. Which intervention is most important for preventing complications related of IV therapy?
Flashcards
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing
A nursing specialty focused on patients with acute and chronic illnesses requiring ongoing care.
Key Responsibilities in Nursing
Key Responsibilities in Nursing
Includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation, and patient education.
Assessment
Assessment
Collecting and interpreting patient data to identify needs and problems.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
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Planning
Planning
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Implementation
Implementation
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Evaluation
Evaluation
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Patient Education
Patient Education
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Implementing medical devices
Implementing medical devices
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Respiratory care
Respiratory care
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Fluid and electrolyte management
Fluid and electrolyte management
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Pain management
Pain management
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Critical thinking
Critical thinking
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Communication in healthcare
Communication in healthcare
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Ethical decision-making
Ethical decision-making
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Patient safety protocols
Patient safety protocols
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Study Notes
Overview of Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Medical-surgical nursing focuses on patients with acute or chronic illnesses/injuries needing ongoing medical and nursing care.
- This field applies nursing and medical knowledge to manage patient conditions, promote healing, and prevent complications.
- Collaboration with physicians, other healthcare staff, and patients is key to individualized care plans.
- A strong understanding of medical conditions, treatments, and procedures is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Assessment: Gathering and interpreting patient data (physical, vital signs, history, psychosocial) to identify needs and problems.
- Diagnosis: Identifying health problems (actual or potential) using nursing diagnoses and physician collaboration.
- Planning: Creating individualized care plans to address issues, promote positive outcomes, and consider patient preferences.
- Implementation: Executing the care plan, including medication administration, treatments, patient/family education, and referral coordination.
- Evaluation: Monitoring care plan effectiveness, assessing patient progress, and adjusting plans as needed.
- Patient Education: Instructing patients and families on conditions, medications, treatments, and self-care.
Key Patient Populations
- Diverse patient populations include those with cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, urological, endocrine, trauma, oncology, and infectious disease conditions.
- Patients undergoing surgical procedures (pre-operative, intra-operative, postoperative).
- Patients recovering from illnesses and injuries.
Common Procedures & Interventions
- Medication administration: Safe and accurate administration of various medications (IV, oral, topical).
- Wound care: Assessment, cleaning, dressing, and management of wounds/incisions.
- Vital sign monitoring: Regular assessment and documentation of temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.
- Medical device implementation: Assisting with catheters, feeding tubes, oxygen therapy, etc.
- Respiratory care: Administering oxygen therapy and supporting breathing treatments.
- Fluid and electrolyte management: Monitoring fluid balance, administering IV fluids, and managing imbalances.
- Pain management: Assessing and effectively managing pain (pharmacological and non-pharmacological).
- Intravenous Therapy: Establishing, maintaining, monitoring IV lines and infusions.
- Specimen collection: Gathering specimens for lab analysis.
- Tracheostomy care: Caring for patients with tracheostomy tubes.
- Endotracheal Intubation Care: Supporting patients with airway issues and endotracheally intubated patients.
Essential Skills and Knowledge for Medical-Surgical Nurses
- Critical thinking: Analyzing patient data to make sound judgments and decisions.
- Problem-solving: Identifying and resolving problems, evaluating solutions.
- Communication: Communicating effectively with patients, families, physicians, and other staff.
- Collaboration: Working effectively with other healthcare professionals.
- Time management: Prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Pharmacology: Understanding and applying medications throughout the patient's care.
- Medical-surgical diseases knowledge: Proficiency in caring for various illnesses affecting patients.
- Procedures knowledge: Safely and efficiently implementing medical procedures.
- Cultural competency: Understanding and respecting diverse patient backgrounds.
- Ethical decision-making: Making ethical decisions and resolving ethical dilemmas.
Scope of Practice
- Medical-surgical nurses' scope varies by healthcare setting and state regulations.
- Comprehensive, high-quality care benefits patients and their families.
Patient Safety
- Adhering to safety protocols (infection control, medication safety, fall prevention) is crucial.
- Proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks.
- Continuously monitoring patient status to detect complications early.
- Implementing strategies to maximize patient well-being and minimize harm.
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Description
An overview of medical-surgical nursing. This field focuses on a broad range of patient care, including acute and chronic illnesses or injuries. It involves understanding medical conditions, treatments and procedures to administer care.
