NUR 425 – Complex Care Exam 1 Review (2026/2027) | Verified Questions & Expert Answers

Complex Care Exam 1 Blueprint

You should know the normal values for:

 Serum Potassium:
o 3.5-5.0 mEq
 PR interval:
o 0.12-0.20 sec
 QRS interval:
o < 0.12 sec
 Central Venous Pressure (CVP) in adults
o 2-8mmHg
 Cardiac Output (CO) in adults
o 4-8L/min
 Cardiac Index (CI) in adults
o 2.2-4L/min/m^2
 MAP in adults
o 70-105mmHg
 Normal vital signs parameters for adults
o BP: 120/80
o HR: 60-100
o RR: 12-20
o Temp: 97.8-99.1F,
o Pulse Ox: 95-100%
 Normal INR
o 0.8-1.2 sec

Understand the significance of the following Not required to memorize actual normal ranges

 Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)
o Resistance to left ventricle
 Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR)
o Resistance to right ventricle
 Wedge Pressure (PAOP/PAWP)
o Estimates the left atrial pressure by “looking through” the lungs
 Stroke Volume
o Amount of blood ejected from left ventricle
o Measure of CONTRACTILITY
o Volume measured in mL
 Ejection fraction
o Fraction (percentage) of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each beat
o Measure of CONTRACTILITY
o Left ventricle must squeeze hard enough to get blood out
 Serum Lactate
o When pt is unable to perfuse oxygen, aerobic metabolism converts to anaerobic metabolism and
lactate is released.
o Elevated serum lactate indicates significant hypoperfusion
 PTT/aPTT
o Partial Thromboplastin Time
o May be prolonged with DIC

, o Measures integrity of the intrinsic system
 D-Dimer
o Detects protein that results from clot breakdown
o Indicated that fibrin has been formed and degraded (fibrinolysis)
o Often markedly elevated with DIC
o Unlikely DIC if this test is normal
 Fibrinogen
o Clotting factor that typically is low with DIC
 The concept of a therapeutic PTT and INR
o PTT:
o INR: While taking Warfarin, it is typically expected that INR (standardized measurement of PT) is
prolonged.
 2-3 seconds

You DO NOT need to memorize the coagulation cascade (eg. which factors activate which factors), just a general
understanding of its purpose and what happens if there are more or less clotting factors, if it is slowed down/sped
up, and what triggers the coagulation cascade.

The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the medication’s indications, side
effects, and nursing considerations when administering these:

 Warfarin (Coumadin) - Anticoagulant
o Interferes with synthesis of clotting factors that use Vitamin K to be synthesized
o Will not affect factors already floating around, will prevent future factors from being made
o Indications:
 Venous Thrombosis
 Pulmonary Embolism
 A-fib
 Myocardial Infarction
o Nursing Considerations:
 Can cause bleeding
 Aspirin and NSAIDs increase risk of bleeding
 Therapeutic levels: PT 15.5-35 seconds, INR 2-3
 Avoid alcohol
 Avoid foods that have a lot of Vitamin K: green vegetables, grains, mayo, canola and
soybean oil
 Vitamin K is antidote
o Contraindications:
 Vitamin K deficiency
 Liver disease
 Alcoholism
 Pregnancy
 Aspirin – Non opioid analgesic, antiplatelet
o Platelet aggregation leading to a decrease in ischemic diseases
o COX inhibitor
o Irreversible 7-10 days
o Indications:
 Ischemic strokes and MI prophylaxis
 Angina
o Nursing Considerations:
 Increases risk for bleeding with warfarin, heparin, clopidogrel

,  Monitor LFTs
 Increased risk for GI bleeding very high with NSAID, alcohol use
o Contraindications:
 Hemorrhagic stroke
 PUD
o Caution:
 Renal dysfunction
 Pregnant women
 Smokers
 Nasal polyps
 Clopidogrel (Plavix) – Antiplatelet
o Inhibits platelet aggregation
o Blocks ADP receptors
o Irreversible 7-10 days
o Indications:
 Artherosclerotic events
 MI, ACS
 CVA, PVD
o Nursing Considerations:
 Monitor for signs of bleeding
 Monitor CBC and platelet count
 Discontinue 5-7 days before surgery
 Watch for TTP in first two weeks
 Dabigatran (Pradaxa) - Anticoagulant
o Directly inhibits thrombin
o Indications:
 CVA prophylaxis
 Non-valvular A-fib
o Nursing Considerations:
 Do not need INR checks
 GI distress
 Strict schedule-BID
 Antidote: Praxbind
 Pt do not need to focus on diet compared to warfarin
 Heparin - Anticoagulant
o Prevents clotting by activating antithrombin, thus indirectly inactivating both thrombin and factor
Xa.-- “revs up” antithrombin
o Indications:
 Venous thrombi
 DVT prophylaxis, current DVT, AMI, DIC
o Nursing Considerations:
 Cannot dissolve existing clots, prevents further clot formation
 PTT: 1.5-2x control value
 Treatment for hemorrhage: Protamine Sulfate
 SubQ injections 2 inches from umbilicus
o Adverse Effects:
 Bleeding
 Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia
 Hypersensitivity
o Contraindications:
 Thrombocytopenia
 Uncontrollable bleeding