Nursing Procedures and Patient Care

• Normal CVP pressure is 0-8 mmHg, with higher values indicating hypervolemia.
• Hot bathtubs can help alleviate morning stiffness commonly associated with arthritis by improving blood circulation and reducing stiffness.
• A transurethral procedure treats an enlarged prostate by inserting a resectoscope through the penis to remove excess prostate tissue blocking urine flow.
• A Miller-Abbott tube treats small intestine obstructions and requires chilling before insertion.
• Whole milk contains sodium.
• Pneumonectomy requires the patient to be in Semi-Fowler's position on the affected side to promote optimal lung expansion, drainage and comfort, after lung removal.
• A patient in skeletal traction with bowel movement issues should have increased fluid intake to 3000 mL per day to maintain a normal baseline.
• Skeletal Traction: A treatment that uses pins, weights, and pulleys to realign and heal a broken bone like the thighbone (femur).
• Flexion contractures in above-the-knee amputation: prevent with a prone position for 48 to 72 hours.
• Inguinal hernia: loop of small intestine protrudes, driving is not advisable.
• Dull abdominal discomfort after a needle biopsy can indicate bleeding due to blood accumulation.
• Bowel sounds should be assessed for 2 minutes.
• A patient who had a stroke with difficulty swallowing should be placed on their unaffected side.
• Fluid retention signs include weight gain of 2 lbs or more.
• Liver cirrhosis may cause expanding ecchymosis.
• A type 1 diabetic feeling dizzy should be provided with a carb snack.
• Elevate the feet for the first 24 hours after a below-the-knee amputation to reduce swelling and promote blood circulation.
• Initial intervention for vertigo: bed rest.
• Lobectomy (removal of a lung lobe) requires coughing and deep breathing for lung re-expansion and to remove the disease part to prevent spreading.
• Gastrectomy recovery may take 6-12 months for previous eating habits to return to previous eating habits.
• After retinal detachment surgery, an eye patch may be used post-operatively.
• Catheters must be cleaned with soap and water after each use.
• Hypertension plus fever may indicate organ rejection.
• Ureteral colic (renal colic) is pain from kidney stones or blockages.
• Acute hypoglycemia may occur in liver disease.
• Leukopenia means low white blood cell count and is common in chemotherapy patients.
• Polycythemia means increased red blood cell count.
• Colostomy irrigation improves bowel movement/defecation by instilling 1200 mL of solution (slowly or gently).
• Acute tubular necrosis leads to hyperkalemia from kidney failure, treated with Kayexalate; signs of hyperkalemia include nausea and muscle weakness.
• Upper trunk (chest) has the largest percentage for burn injuries in the Rule of Nines.
• Bleeding or hemorrhage requires immediate nursing intervention.
• An artificial pacemaker regulates heart rhythm, and contact sports should be avoided.
• COPD patients should have low-dose oxygen (1-2L) to help breathing, as high oxygen may stop breathing.
• Fowler's position is used for ventilation.
• Thoracotomy involves removal of organs for repair, while pneumonectomy involves the removal of a lung.
• Bronchoscopy procedure: examine airways, avoid food/fluids 2 hours to prevent gag reflex.
• Renal failure can lead to a concern for hyperkalemia.
• Genital warts: sexually transmitted via skin-to-skin contact and caused by HPV.
• Genitourinary problems related to urination, which may cause fever/chills.
• Creatinine and BUN are key indicators of renal failure.
• Papanicolaou (Pap) tests screen for cervical cancer: dysplasia means abnormal cell growth.
• Kaposi's sarcoma is a common cancer in AIDS patients and causes lesions on the face, arms, and legs.
• Abdominal distention: auscultate with nausea, loose/bloody stool or cherry red is normal; dusky/dark bloody stool indicates interrupted blood supply to stoma.
• Burns on legs: use splints for knee positioning to prevent contractures.
• Urine output less than 30 mL/hour indicates hypovolemia or oliguria.
• Dermatitis is skin inflammation or irritation: apply ointments in long strokes in the direction of hair growth.
• Jugular vein distension: assess at 30-degree Fowler's position.
• Reduce HDL and elevate LDL by limiting fat intake to less than 30% of daily calories.
• ER department nurse is not involved in patient care after the shift; on-call nurse takes over.
• Xenogenic transplant is between humans and another species.
• Autologous transplants are from the same individual.
• Syngeneic transplants are between identical twins.
• Allogenic transplants are between two humans.
• Steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce cerebral edema (swelling) by reducing inflammation and is indicated in swelling of the brain.
• "Steroids = Cerebral edema/ Inflammation/Swelling”
• Blood Transfusion: If a patient complains of pain during a blood transfusion, stop the transfusion and infuse normal saline to maintain blood volume.
• Cottage Cheese is rich in protein.
• Uremic syndrome symptoms: inflammation or damage of small blood vessels, a chronic kidney disease that can cause irritation to nerves, leading to flapping hand tremors.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): The enlargement of the prostate gland, associated with aging, can block the bladder, causing urine retention and lower abdominal distention.
• Penile Implant: Used for erectile dysfunction, if experiencing edema (swelling), elevate to improve circulation and use with soft support.
• Myocardial Damage: Increases myoglobin levels.
• Mitral Stenosis: The narrowing of the left heart chamber.
• Mitral valve stenosis can make one tired and short of breath (left side problem).
• Common Side Effects of Nitroglycerin: Headache, hypotension, and dizziness.
• Renal Complications: second complication due to overcompensation (1st-Heart, 2nd-Kidney).
• Dairy Products are rich in Vitamin B12.
• Leukemia Peak Age Range is 4 to 12 years old.
• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): Coumadin is contraindicated in DIC, as it is a condition of excessive clotting that can lead to bleeding in various parts of the body.
• Coumadin is used to treat/prevent blood clots in veins or arteries.
• Warfarin reduces the formation of blood clots.
• Laryngeal Cancer early signs include hoarseness of voice.
• Mannitol is a diuretic medication.
• Pen-like Insulin provides accurate insulin administration.
• Blood Vessel Damage should be checked for prolonged reperfusion - lack of or delayed of restoration of oxygen.
• Long Leg Cast: should be elevated to return circulation.
• Palms should have weight to maintain proper circulation.
• Convalescent Stage: recovery phase/ not fully normal, active flexion/extension exercises are indicated.
• Glucose is used to differentiate mucus in cerebral spinal fluid.
• Trauma is a primary cause of injury in adults.
• Restlessness: earliest sign of hypoxia.
• Atonic: Loss of muscle movement/contractility, often spinal shock, body cannot move, to bladder atony (loss of function).
• Carcinogen: Substance/organism that causes cancer is irreversible.
• Fragrant Soap: Can irritate the skin, causing pruritus (itchiness) flare-ups.
• Atropine Sulfate: Contraindicated in glaucoma, as it Increases intraocular pressure (used to treat bradycardia).
• Meniere's Disease: ear condition, vertigo or hearing loss, commonly used to treat bradycardia.

Explore various nursing procedures and patient care techniques. This includes understanding symptoms, immediate actions for emergencies such as diabetic episodes, and post-operative care after procedures like lobectomies. It also covers the use of medical instruments and treatments for specific conditions.