NCLEX Tip of the Day 2/12

[SkateBetty]

I have spent the entire day reading a romance novel, but I can't help it, I needed to re-direct. Anyhow, here are the tips!

Digitalis increases ventricular irritability, and could convert a rhythm to v-fib following cardioversion.

If your normally lucid patient starts seeing bugs you better check his respiratory status first. The first sign of hypoxia is restlessness, followed by agitation, and things go downhill from there all the way to delirium, hallucinations, and coma. So check the o2 stat, and get abg's if possible.

The biggest concern with cold stress and the newborn is respiratory distress.

Look carefully when you have no idea. In a word like rhabdomyosarcoma you can easily ascertain it has something to do with muscle (myo) cancer (sarcoma). The same thing goes for drug names. For example, if it ends in -ide it's probably a diuretic, as in Furosemide, and Amyloride.

Lasix can cause a patient to lose his appetite (anorexia) due to reduced potassium.

If your laboring mom's water breaks and she is any minus station you better know there is a risk of prolapsed cord.

In a five-year old breathe once for every 5 compressions doing cpr.

After g-tube placement the stomach contents are drained by gravity for 24 hours before it can be used for feedings.

Cephalhematoma (caput succinidanium) resolves on its own in a few days. This is the type of edema that crosses the suture lines.

During the acute stage of Hep-A gown and gloves are required. In the convalescent stage it is no longer contagious.

Low magnesium and high creatinine signal renal failure.

Pain is usually the highest priority with RA

If a TB patient is unable/unwilling to comply with tx they may need supervision (direct observation). TB is a public health risk.

Level of consciousness is the most important assessment parameter with status epilepticus.

Crackles suggest pneumonia, which is likely to be accompanied by hypoxia, which would manifest itself as mental confusion, etc.

Can't cough=ineffective airway clearance

Absence of menstruation leads to osteoporosis in the anorexic.

Toddlers need to express autonomy (independence)

A patient with a low hemoglobin and/or hematocrit should be evaluated for signs of bleeding, such as dark stools.

A laxative is given the night before an IVP in order to better visualize the organs.

A patient with liver cirrhosis and edema may ambulate, then sit with legs elevated to try to mobilize the edema.

Managing stress in a patient with adrenal insufficiency (Addison's) is paramount, because if the adrenal glands are stressed further it could result in Addisonian crisis. While we're on Addison's, remember blood pressure is the most important assessment parameter, as it causes severe hypotension.

After pain relief, cough and deep breathe is important in pancreatitis, because of fluid pushing up in the diaphragm.

Safety over Nutrition with a severely depressed client.

Prolonged hypoxemia is a likely cause of cardiac arrest in a child.

Fluid volume overload caused by IVC fluids infusing too quickly (or whatever reason) and CHF can cause an S3

Coarctation of the aorta causes increased blood flow and bounding pulses in the arms

A newly diagnosed hypertension patient should have BP assessed in both arms

Depression often manifests itself in somatic ways, such as psychomotor retardation, gi complaints, and pain.

Respiratory problems are the chief concern with CF

That's it for tonight, friends. Happy studying!

[bigmona]

speaking of TB... PPD is positive if area of induration is:

>5 mm in an immunocompromised patient

>10 mm in a normal patient

>15 mm in a patient who lives in an area where TB is very rare.

another tiP:

HbA1c - test to assess how well blood sugars have been controlled over the past 90-120 days. 4-6 corresponds to a blood sugar of 70-110; 7 is ideal for a diabetic and corresponds to a blood sugar of 130.

we had a major snowstorm here last night so I've been shovelling out my car and walking around in the snow- I didn't get much studying done! And I test on Tuesday! :uhoh21: But I needed a break... :)

[nsgstudentjen]

Thanks again, your tips have been great!