Vocab Flashcards
(135 cards)
Angina
-Heart muscle isn’t getting oxygen-rich blood
Feels like:
1) discomfort, aching, tightness or pressure that comes and goes in the chest, back, abdomen, arm, shoulder, neck or jaw; shortness of breath (SOB), heartburn, indigestion, nausea or sweating
Responsive Observations:
1) Aching, tightness, or pressure in chest, arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw
2) shortness of breath (SOB)
3) Nausea
4) Diaphoresis (sweating)
5) Change in skin color
CNA Management:
stay with patient, report to nurse STAT, vital signs STAT, Patient should sit/lie down & stop activity, anticipate complications/heart attack
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet needs of the body. Causes fluid to back up into the lungs and throughout the body: especially in the feet and lower legs.
Observations: SOB with regular activities, Increase in weight/sudden increase, Edema in legs/feet/ankles, Using more pillows/sitting up to sleep, rapid heart rate, vertigo
Management: Report to nurse, VS, Accurate I&O, Patient follows correct diet, Do not tire patient
Coronary Artery Disease
Narrowing of coronary arteries causing arteriosclerosis (plaque). Patient may not receive enough oxygen at rest & exertion causes increased need for oxygen. Narrow arteries causes muscles to not receive blood/oxygen and die.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction/MI)
Coronary Arteries become blocked and prevent blood from reaching the heart. Lack of blood/oxygen causes tissue to die.
Observations: Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, pain, squeezing feeling in the chest, under the sternum or in mid-back; Pain may come and go (especially in women), Heartburn, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, Irregular heartbeat, Increased blood pressure, SOB
Management: Stay with patient, call for help, report c/o chest pain or discomfort STAT, vitals STAT, anticipate complications
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Blood Clot (thrombus) in deep veins of LEGS, pelvis or arms. Clot can break away (embolism) and travel to other parts of the body/lung.
Observations: Affected leg may be swollen, warm, red streaks; pain/tenderness in calf or thigh
Management: remain with patient, report symptoms to nurse, check apical pulse & VS
Hypertension
High Blood Pressure +140/90
Causes: Narrowed blood vessels, kidney disorders, head injury, pregnancy
Observations: High BP, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, nose bleeds
Management: Report high bp, check bp in other arm, patient history, patient diet (salt restriction)
Hypotension
Low Blood Pressure -90/60
Causes: Weak/irregular heart rate, Lack of blood due to dehydration/hemorrhaging, medications, anesthesia
Orthostatic Hypotension
Sudden decrease in Blood Pressure when a person stands from sitting or lying down
Observations: Low blood pressure readings upon standing
Management: Abnormal S/S, Raise patient feet, check BP on opposite arm
Bowel Diversion (Ostomy)
Ostomy: an opening from the bowel to the outside of the abdominal wall for elimination of feces (stoma) with a disposable bag
Colosomy: an opening in the large intestine (stool semi-liquid to formed)
Ileostomy: an opening in the ileum (small intestine) that drains through stoma on abdomen (drainage is liquid/digestive enzymes that irritate the skin)
Observations: Puch leak, blood in stool, change in character/drainage, pills in drainage, c/o burning/itching/drainage around stoma, color change/edema in stoma, abdominal discomfort
Management: abnormal s/s to nurse, empty bag (measure/describe contents), change bag
Bowel Obstruction
Mechanical Obstruction: Intestine is physically blocked by Hernia, Adhesions (scar tissue), Tumors
Paralytic Ileus: Obstruction in small intestine after abdominal surgery (anesthesia) causing difficult peristalsis (disappears after 2-3 days). After 48 hours nasogastric (NG) tube is placed to keep abdomen contents empty
Observations: Abdominal pain/distention, nausea, vomiting, fever
Management: NG tube care, oral care if NPO (nothing by mouth), abnormal S/S
Cholelithiasis (Gallstones)
Gallbladder is on underside of the liver that stores bile. Bile is made in the liver and stored in gallbladder until needed for digestion of fat in the small intestine. Gallstones are formed by cholesterol, bile salts & calcium.
Symptoms: severe pain mainly beginning after food is eating. If severe: jaundice, nausea and fever.
Observations: Abdominal pain, pain in right shoulder/shoulder blades, nausea, vomiting
Management: S/S
Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis causes inflammation and sores ( ulcers) in the large intestine. Inflammation occurs in rectum/lower colon but can effect entire colon causes diarrhea. Ulcers form where inflammation killed colon-lining cells: producing pus and mucus.
Observations: Abdominal pain/spasms, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, blood/pus in stool
Management: Report s/s, prevent breakdown from diarrhea (clean/barrier cream), adequate fluid
Cirrhosis
Irreversible scaring of the liver affecting blood flow, causing difficulty functioning such as detoxifying harmful substances, purifying the blood and manufacturing vital nutrients
Observations: Fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, confusion/agitation/hallucinations, vomiting, weight loss/gain, jaundice, itching, swollen abdomen/legs, bloody stool, easy bruising
Management: S/S, confused, combative
Chron’s Disease
Swelling and irritation of the digestive tract. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Observations: Abdominal pain/bloating after meals, sores in the anal area, high fever/chill, loss of appetite, weight loss, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
Management: Abnormal S/S
Diverticular Disease
Pouches in the colon that bulge outward through weak spots in the colon.
Observations: Abdominal Cramping, fever, chills, rectal bleeding, nausea, vomiting
Management: Abnormal S/S
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing. Foods and liquids do not pass down esophagus easily. Esophagus wall thickens, narrowing the passageway.
Causes: Ulcer, narrowing, cancer, muscles do not work correctly, nerve/brain problems changing muscle strength or coordination
Observations: Frequent coughing/choking
Feeding tips: HOB upright position, tilt head slightly forward, watch for Larynx to go up/down before giving another bite
Food consistencies: Thin liquids, mixed textures and mild temperatures are hard to swallow
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach lining
Causes: Aspirin/anti-inflammatory medications, stress, alcohol, tobacco
Observations: burning in upper abdomen, pain after eating, gas/bloating, frequent belching, nausea
Gastroenteritis
Food poisoning/intestinal flu is an inflammation of the stomach and small intestine
Observations: Abdominal pain/cramping, nausea, committing, diarrhea, fever/chills, fatigue, abnormal VS
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) does not work normally causing stomach acid to travel back (reflux) into the esophagus
Observations: Frequent heartburn/burping, sour tasting fluid backing up in mouth, worsening symptoms when bending over/laying down, difficulty/pain when swallowing
Management: Abnormal S/S
Hemorrhoids
A vein around the anus/lower rectum which is swollen and inflamed inside or outside the anus.
Observations: Bright red blood in stool, internal may protrude outside the body, painful swelling/lump around anus from blood clot, irritation around anus with bleeding/itching, mucus
Management: Abnormal S/S
Ulcers
Area of the lining of the stomach or duodenum that has been destroyed by digestive juices and stomach acid
Observations: gnawing/burning pain in abdomen (often occurs between meals), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, black/tarry/bloody stool (Ulcer is bleeding)
Cushing’s Syndrome
Over-secretion of Adrenal Hormone often developing fat around face, neck, trunk and abdomen
Observations: muscle weakness, easy bruising, high blood pressure
Management: May be dizzy/assist with activities, monitor skin care, Abnormal S/S
Hyperthyroidism/Graves Disease
Increased hormone levels by Thyroid Gland
Observations: Weight loss, diaphoresis/SWEATING, increased heart rate/BP, irritability/confusion
Management: monitor weight, monitor VS, Abnormal S/S
Hypothyroidism
Decreased hormone levels by Thyroid Gland
Observations: Fatigue, decreased HR, Intolerance to cold, dry skin, weight gain, constipation
Mangement: Ambulation, monitor VS, encourage fluids, Abnormal VS (decreased HR)