QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
You should know the significance of the following (why would it be high vs low), but
do not need to memorize know normal ranges - ANSWER-Phosphorus→ (high)
foods like proteins, dairy, nuts, inc renal absorption; (low) vitamin D deficiency
(calcitriol) → kidney dysfunction (CKD), long term use of phosphate binders
Calcium→ (high) inc calcium intake, too much vitamin D; (low) CKD, vitamin D
deficiency
Magnesium (in relationship to AKI/CKD)→ (high) CKD; (low) poor absorption, r/t
hypokalemia
CMP (complete metabolic panel)- what electrolytes are included in a CMP? (answer:
calcium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride)
Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (liver
enzymes)→ (high) hepatitis, chronic alcohol use; (low) CKD
WBC→ (high) infection; (low) immunocompromised
BUN→ (high) kidney dysfunction, dehydration, corticosteroids, catabolism from
infection, fever, severe injury, GI bleed; (low) liver damage, very low protein diet
Hemoglobin→ (high) inc need of O2 carrying capacity→ COPD, HF; (low)
hemorrhage
Hematocrit→ (high) dehydration; (low) hemorrhage
Platelets→ (high) platelet disorder; (low) hemorrhage
Creatinine→ (high) kidney dysfunction; (low) liver disease
Sodium→ (high) dehydration ; (low) fluid overload
Potassium→ (high) CKD/AKI, furosemide ; (low) potassium sparing diuretics, r/t
hypomagnesemia
Lactate→ (high) infection, kidney and liver disease; (low) N/A
Blood Glucose→ (high) uncontrolled diabetes; (low) hypoglycemia
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Potassium Chloride - ANSWER-Indications→ potassium replacement
Side effects→ dysrhythmias
Considerations→ not IVP, monitor K+ levels
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Diazepam - ANSWER-Indications→ seizures, anxiety
Side effects→ CNS depression, drowsiness
Considerations→ monitor BP and RR, flumazenil reversal agent
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Furosemide - ANSWER-Indications→ antihypertensive, edema, HF
,Side effects→ voiding, hypokalemia
Considerations→ potassium supplements, monitor BP
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Insulin - ANSWER-Indications→ hyperglycemia
Side effects→ hypoglycemia, hypokalemia
Considerations→ monitor potassium
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Erythropoietein - ANSWER-Indications→ CKD
Side effects→ HTN, thrombosis at fistulas
Considerations→ monitor BP
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Renvela (Sevelamer) - ANSWER-Indications→ phos binder for CKD
Side effects→ hypophosphatemia (long-term)
Considerations→ monitor bicarb and chloride levels
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Baclofen - ANSWER-Indications→ muscle spasms
Side effects→ muscle relaxation, toxicity, drowsiness, sedation, diaphoresis
Considerations→PO, for larger does (severe spasm) needs a pumps (intrathecal
catheter)
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Botulinum toxin A - ANSWER-Indications→ muscle spasms, spastic CP
Side effects→ temporary weakness
Considerations→ inc need for botox over time, lasts 3-6 mo, peaks at 2 weeks
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Dextrose - ANSWER-Indications→ hypoglycemia, adjunct for DKA tx
Side effects→ raise blood glucose levels
Considerations→ monitor blood glucose
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Acetaminophen - ANSWER-Indications→ mild pain, fever
, Side effects→ drowsiness
Considerations→ liver damage
The following medications could be tested on this exam. You should know the
medication's indications, side effects, and nursing considerations when administering
these:
Tacrolimus - ANSWER-Indications→ prevention of organ transplant rejection
Side effects→ immunosuppression
Considerations→ monitor BP (HTN), renal/hepatic function
Additional medications for CP - ANSWER--pain meds- opioids or NSAIDs
-Botox IM (typically quads) inc need for botox over time
-Baclofen (PO not best option)- centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant→ best for
severe spastic
-benzos- seizure prophylactic but also reduce spasms
-stool softeners
-gabapentin, Parkinson drugs
Contrast the pathophysiology spina bifida occulta and spina bifida cystica -
ANSWER--folic acid deficiency during pregnancy
-spina bifida→midline defect due to failure of the spine to close
-myelodysplasia (any malformation of the spinal cord and canal)
-usually occurs in lumbosacral area
-occulta→ may dimple or cannot be seen (sacral dimple)
-likely to have no outward s/s
-cystica→ can be seen outside the body
-meningocele→ meninges and spinal fluid
-myelomeningocele→ meninges, spinal fluid, and nerves
-causes→ drugs, genetics, malnutrition, other syndromes
Assessment fo spina bifida cystica - ANSWER--Assessment
-risk of infection (cystica)- skin care, dressings Q2- sterile saline and do not pull
dressing off if sticky, add more saline
-hypersensitivity to latex- no latex pacifier
-neurological deficit is most important factor in determining functional ability
Disease function of cerebral palsy (CP) - ANSWER--CP→ change in developing
brain, permanent, non-progressive, not curable
-considered static encephalopathy (static in nature)
-brain anomaly does not change nor get worse, but symptoms changes with
development over time
-ex. Muscle spasticity can get better, worse, or remain the same
-Causes
-premature <28 wks
-VLBW, LBW
Idiopathic
Pre-birth→ infection (chorio), toxic exposure, brain abnormalities
Birth→ traumatic birth, long labor-brain damage (O2 deficits), stroke, bradycardia
After birth→ kernicterus (jaundice after birth), shaken baby syndrome, bacterial
meningitis, multiple births, hypoxia, seizures