Hafiza Afrin

30/12/2024

One of the earliest indicators of successful adaptation of the newborn is the Apgar score.
Scores range from 0 to 10.

Five criteria are used to measure the infant's adaptation.:

Heart rate: absent = 0; less than 100 = 1; greater than 100 = 2.

Respiratory effort: absent = 0; slow or irregular weak cry = 1; good, crying lustily = 2.

Muscle tone: limp or hypotonic = 0; some extremity flexion = 1; active, moving, and well flexed = 2.

Irritability or reflexes (measured by bulb suctioning): no response = 0; grimace = 1; cough, sneeze, or vigorous cry = 2.

Color: cyanotic or pale = 0; acrocyanotic, cyanosis of extremities = 1; pink = 2.

30/12/2024

Grayish-blue discoloration at the flank is known as Turner's sign and occurs as a result of pancreatic enzyme leakage to cutaneous tissue from the peritoneal cavity. The client may demonstrate abdominal guarding and may complain of tenderness with palpation. The pain associated with acute pancreatitis is often sudden in onset and is located in the epigastric region or left upper quadrant with radiation to the back.

24/12/2024

Atelectasis is a condition characterized by the collapse of alveoli, preventing the respiratory exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in a part of the lungs.

22/12/2024

The nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of severe dehydration. The client has been receiving intravenous (IV) fluids and nasogastric (NG) tube feedings. The nurse monitors fluid balance using which as the best indicator?

Answer:

The best indicator of fluid balance in a client with severe dehydration is daily body weight.

Rationale:

Daily weight reflects changes in body fluid status more accurately than other measures because 1 liter of fluid is equivalent to 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight.

Other methods, like monitoring intake and output (I&O) or observing for physical signs (e.g., skin turgor, urine output), are helpful but not as precise as daily weight.

Key Points for Monitoring:

1. Weigh the client at the same time each day, preferably in the morning after voiding, using the same scale and similar clothing.

2. Record and compare weights over time to assess trends in fluid balance.

3. Use weights in conjunction with other clinical signs and lab values (e.g., blood urea nitrogen, serum sodium) for a comprehensive evaluation.

22/12/2024

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a serious and complex condition where the body’s normal blood clotting processes become abnormally activated. This results in widespread clot formation throughout the blood vessels, leading to excessive consumption of clotting factors and platelets. Eventually, this can cause severe bleeding because the body runs out of these essential components.

Causes:

DIC is often triggered by an underlying condition, such as:

1. Severe infections (sepsis)

2. Trauma or surgery

3. Cancer

4. Obstetric complications (e.g., placental abruption, amniotic fluid embolism)

5. Severe allergic reactions

6. Liver disease

7. Tissue damage (e.g., burns or crush injuries)

Pathophysiology:

1. Initial Trigger: An event (e.g., infection, trauma) activates the coagulation cascade.

2. Clot Formation: Small blood clots form throughout the bloodstream, consuming platelets and clotting factors.

3. Impaired Circulation: Clots block blood flow, causing tissue damage and organ dysfunction.

4. Bleeding: As clotting factors and platelets are depleted, uncontrolled bleeding occurs.

Signs and Symptoms:

1. Bleeding:

From the skin (bruising or petechiae)

From mucosal surfaces (nosebleeds, gums)

From puncture sites or wounds

2. Signs of Clotting:

Organ dysfunction (e.g., kidney failure, difficulty breathing due to lung damage)

Cool, pale extremities from blocked blood flow

3. General Symptoms:

Fatigue

Confusion

Rapid heart rate

Diagnosis:

Blood tests:

Decreased platelet count

Increased D-dimer levels (indicates clot breakdown)

Prolonged PT (prothrombin time) and aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)

Decreased fibrinogen levels

Treatment:

1. Treat the underlying cause: This is the primary approach (e.g., antibiotics for infection, surgery for trauma).

2. Supportive care:

Blood transfusions (for severe bleeding)

Platelets, fresh frozen plasma, or cryoprecipitate (to replace consumed factors)

Anticoagulants like heparin (in specific cases where clotting is predominant).

3. Close monitoring: In an ICU setting for organ support if necessary.

DIC is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and management to prevent severe complications or death.

13/12/2024

1ounce (oz)= 30ml
1 IBS(pound)= 2.2kg
1inch = 2.56cm

02/12/2024

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

occurs when the prostate gland enlarges.

Age is one of the main risk factors for BPH. BPH occurs most frequently in men over the age of 60.

Health conditions like heart disease and diabetes can increase chances of developing BPH.

Activity level and lifestyle factors also play an important role. Clients with obesity have increased risk for developing BPH, while regular exercise decreases the risk of BPH.

01/12/2024

Cluster care:
Cluster care refers to the practice of grouping or combining nursing tasks and activities during patient care to minimize interruptions and allow the patient more time for rest. This approach is often used in settings like neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or with critically ill patients.

By organizing tasks like vital signs checks, medication administration, and other interventions into a single session, cluster care can reduce stress, promote healing, and improve patient comfort. However, it should be balanced to avoid overwhelming the patient or compromising care quality.

01/12/2024

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel.

30/11/2024

The kidneys filter blood to remove waste, and two key lab values help us understand how well they're working: BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) and creatinine.

1. BUN: Normal range is 10 to 20. It's a waste product from protein breakdown. High BUN levels can indicate dehydration, meaning the body is not getting enough fluids.

2. Creatinine: Normal level is below 1.3. It's a waste product from muscle activity. If it's over 1.3, it signals kidney problems because the kidneys aren't filtering properly.

If a patient has high creatinine, it's a red flag for kidney issues, and healthcare providers need to be cautious, especially with procedures that can affect the kidneys.

30/11/2024

Pronator drift occurs when a client cannot maintain the hands in a supinated position with the arms extended and eyes closed. This assessment may be done to detect small changes in muscle strength that might not otherwise be noted.

30/11/2024

Brudzinski's sign. Severe neck stiffness causes a patient's hips and knees to flex when the neck is flexed.

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Kernig's sign is a test used in physical examination to look for evidence of irritation of the meninges. The test involves flexing the thighs at the hip, and the knees, at 90 degree angles, and assessing whether subsequent extension of the knee is painful

30/11/2024

Neck stiffness, stiff neck and nuchal rigidity are terms often used interchangeably to describe the medical condition when one experiences discomfort or pain when trying to turn, move, or flex the neck. Possible causes include muscle strain or sprain, cervical spine disorder, meningitis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

30/11/2024

Aphasia:
inability (or impaired ability) to understand or produce speech, as a result of brain damage.

Agnosia:
inability to interpret sensations and hence to recognize things, typically as a result of brain damage.

30/11/2024

Define dysphagia?
Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing.

30/11/2024

Trigeminal neuralgia:... is characterized by spasms of pain that start suddenly and last for seconds to minutes. The pain often is characterized as stabbing or as similar to an electric shock... It is accompanied by spasms of facial muscles that cause twitching of parts of the face or mouth, or closure of the eye.

30/11/2024

Define twitching?Sudden jerking or convulsive movement.

e.g.,"her lips twitched and her eyelids fluttered"

29/11/2024

The hypothalamus: is responsible for autonomic nervous system functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and fluid and electrolyte balance (among others).

The thalamus: acts as a relay station for sensory and motor information.

The limbic system: is responsible for emotions.

The reticular activating system: is responsible for the sleep-wake cycle.

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