Concepts & Practice Questions
DRGs (diagnosis-related groups) - refers to reimbursement for health care services
based on a predetermined fixed price-per-case or diagnosis; it categorizes patients
to better control hospital costs; there is a time-table for how long someone with a
DRG can be in the hospital on government funds, which is a barrier to proper
healthcare.
gastric secretion pH (checking NG tube) - less than 5.5
Hyponatremia - Stupor/coma
Apprehension, headache confusion, depression convulsion, n/v
Lethargy
Tendon reflexes decreased
Limp muscles (weakness)
Orthostatic hypotension
Seizures/headache
Stomach cramping
Hypernatremia - F - Fever (low grade), flushed skin
R - Restless (irritable)
I - Increased fluid retention and increased BP
E - Edema (peripheral and pitting)
D - Decreased urinary output, dry mouth
S = Skin flushed
A = Agitation
L = Low-grade fever
T = Thirst
Hypocalcemia - Convulsions
Arrythmias
Tetany
Spasms and stridor
Hypercalcemia - "BACKME"
Bone pain
Arrhythmias
Cardiac arrest
Kidney stones
Muscle weakness
Excessive urination
Hyperkalemia - M - Muscle weakness
U - Urine, oliguria, anuria
R- Respiratory distress
, D - Decreased cardiac contractility
E - ECG changes
R - Reflexes, hyperreflexia, or areflexia (flaccid)
Hypokalemia - Alkalosis
Shallow respiration
Irritability
Confusion and drowsiness
Weakness and fatigue
Arrhythmias- irregular heart rate, tachycardia
Lethargy
Thready pulse
Hypoglycemia - nausea, anxiety, shaking, diaphoresis, hunger, tachycardia, impaired
vision, weakness/fatigue, headache, irritability
Hyperglycemia S/S - frequent urination, dry skin, hunger, extreme thirst, nausea,
drowsiness, blurred vision, deep rapid labored respirations
Sodium - 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium - 3.5-5mEq/L (adult)
3.4-4.7 mEq/L (child)
Chloride - 98-106 mEq/L (adult)
90-110 mEq/L (child)
BUN - 10-20 mg/dL (adult)
5-18 mg/dL (child)
phosphorus - 3-4.5 mg/dL (adult)
4.5-6.5 mg/dL (child)
calcium - 9-10.5 mg/dL (adult)
8.8-10.8 mg/dL (child)
magnesium - 1.3-2.1 mEq/L (adult)
1.4-1.7 mEq/L (child)
Albumin - 3.5-5 g/dL
HCT - 42-52% (male)
37-47% (female)
>33% (pregnant)
Hgb - 14-18 g/dL (male)