Medical-Surgical Nursing1. Respiratory PatternsThere are five abnormal breathing patterns that you can observe as symptoms in many diseases.The Kussmaul pattern is characterized by deep and labored breathing commonly associated with diabetic ketoacidosis and metabolic acidosis. The Cheyne-Stokes breathing, which is present in severe neurological and cardiac diseases, is characterized by periods of hyperventilation and apnea. Biots respiration, on the other hand, describes the quick and shallow respirations followed by periods of apnea.Standard abnormal breathing patterns include tachypnea which is a rapid breathing pattern and bradypnea which is a slow breathing pattern.

Study Guides:Nursing Mnemonics & Tips nursingmnemonics.blogspot.comCheyne-Stokes and Abnormal Patterns of Respiration Patient.co.ukAbnormal Breathing Patterns Breathsounds.org2. Cardiac Blood FlowRemembering the flow of blood through cardiac valves is easy with the mnemonicTissue Paper My Assets.First, the blood flows from the bodys circulatory system through the tricuspid valve. It then goes to the lungs for the blood oxygenation process through the pulmonic valve. From the lungs the oxygenated blood goes back to the heart through the mitral valve and the blood circulates back to the body through the aorta.

Study Guides:Your Heart Valves Cleveland ClinicHeart Contraction & Blood Flow National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute3. HypoglycemiaHypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose levels in the blood. It usually results from insufficient intake of food, too much exercise and excessive insulin administration.Immediate symptoms of hypoglycemia include cool clammy skin, anxiousness, excessive sweating, confusion, blurred or double vision and irritability. Onset of hypoglycemia is rapid at around 1-3 hours.

Study Guides:Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose) American Diabetes AssociationHypoglycemia Definition Mayo Clinic4. Abnormal PosturingDecorticate posturing is the abnormal flexion posture of the body when there are problems in the cervical spinal tract or in the cerebral hemisphere part of the brain. The decorticate posture can be easily remembered by the Flexor keyword as the arms in this posture will bend inward into the chest.Decerebrate posture, on the other hand, is the abnormal extension of the upper extremities usually in response to external stimuli. It is often associated with problems within the midbrain or pons. It is characterized by the extension of the arms and legs while the head is arched backwards.

Study Guides:What Causes Posture Abnormal? 12 Possible Conditions HealthlineAbnormal Posturing and Potential Causes Disabled World5. Myocardial InfarctionMyocardial infarction, simply known as heart attack, needs immediate medical attention to prevent irreversible damage to the heart.Immediate treatment for myocardial infarction can be easily remembered with the acronym MONA Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin and ASA or aspirin.Morphine is used to relieve chest pain associated with heart attack. Because there will be an inadequate oxygen supply to the heart during myocardial infarction, continuous oxygen supply is beneficial in preventing hypoxia. Nitroglycerin is used to lower blood pressure and reduce the hearts demand for oxygen. ASA or aspirin is helpful in dissolving the blood clot that caused the attack.

Study Guides:Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) Johns Hopkins MedicineMyocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) Patient.co.uk6. Congestive Heart FailureCongestive Heart Failure happens when the heart cant handle a high output of blood volume in the circulatory system. Its a life-threatening condition that needs immediate treatment and initial management can be easily remembered with the acronym UNLOAD FAST.The patient should be kept in an upright position and nitrates will be given to reduce hearts oxygen demand. Lasix is needed to expel excess fluid volume in the blood through diuresis and oxygen will support oxygen supply in the body during heart failure.Chronic management includes usage of ACE inhibitors to control blood pressure through vasodilatation and digoxin to reduce ventricular rate. Fluid limitation is necessary to decrease afterload of the heart. Sodium, which may cause fluid retention to the body, should be restricted.Diagnostic tests should be routinely done like testing for digoxin levels to prevent digoxin toxicity, obtaining ABGs to determine adequacy of oxygen level in the blood and testing for serum potassium as hypokalemia may happen when inducing diuresis to prevent fluid volume excess.

Study Guides:Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) CHealthHeart Failure Definition Mayo Clinic7. ParalysisQuadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, is the loss of movement in all limbs. It occurs when injury happens above the first thoracic vertebrae or in the cervical vertebrae.Paraplegia, on the other hand, is the loss of movement in the lower limbs. It happens when the injury occurs below the first thoracic vertebrae.Hemiplegia is different as loss of movement happens in one side of the body. It can be caused by a traumatic brain injury and incomplete spinal cord injuries.

Study Guides:Types of Paralysis Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia) and Paraplegia ApparelyzedTypes of Paralysis Step Ahead Australia8. StrokeThere are three simple steps in recognizing stroke. First, ask the person to smile and stick out his or her tongue to determine symmetry. Then, ask the person to make a complete sentence to determine if there is slurred speech. Lastly, ask the person to raise both arms. If there are problems in completing these three tasks, you should consider stroke and seek for immediate medical attention.

Study Guide:Stroke Definition Mayo Clinic9. Blood Transfusion ReactionsBlood transfusion reactions usually happen in the first ten to fifteen minutes of blood transfusion or in the first 50cc of blood transfused. Symptoms include facial flushing, rashes, restlessness and wheezing. The person might be febrile and symptoms associated with it include chills, headache, tachycardia and tachypnea.Hemolytic-related reactions also include chest pain, low back pain, blood in the urine and decreased blood pressure. When transfusion reactions happen, blood transfusion should be immediately stopped and keep the IV line open with plain saline solution.

Study Guides:7 Adverse Reactions to TransfusionTransfusion Reactions MedscapeBlood Transfusion Reactions Patient.co.ukTransfusion Reactions www.bbguy.org10. Head InjuryIn the first 24 hours after a head injury, a person should be closely observed for signs and symptoms of worsening condition that may indicate severe brain injury.The level of consciousness should be assessed first determine if there is drowsiness, confusion or difficulty in arousing patient. Seizures, visual problems and unequal dilation or constriction of pupils during examination should also be noted.Bleeding or water drainage from the nose or ears and projectile vomiting are also classic symptoms of serious brain injury. Symptoms related to paralysis like slurred speech and loss of sensation in certain extremity should also be observed.