Body System
Subtopic
Topic

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
A patient with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm may have a pulsating abdominal mass with a bruit. Do NOT palpate this due to the risk for rupture!
Read More
Sinus Bradycardia
A patient with sinus bradycardia will likely require no treatment. However, if they are symptomatic, treatment with atropine or a pacemaker may be indicated.
Read More
Cardiac Tamponade
A patient with paradoxical pulse and an EKG showing electrical alternans should be evaluated for cardiac tamponade.
Read More
Atropine: Nursing Care
Because atropine has anticholinergic side effects, it is often administered during surgery to decrease secretions.
Read More
Elevated hBNP
A patient with elevated hBNP (> 100 pg/mL) should be evaluated for Heart Failure.
Read More
Adenosine
Adenosine (Adenocard) is a Class V antiarrhythmic medication used for supraventricular tachycardia.
Read More
Calcium Ranges
Calcium (Ca) expected range: 9 - 10.5 mEq/L HINT: California (CA) is due for a big earthquake that may measure 9 - 10.5 on the Richter scale.
Read More
Filgrastim
Filgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the growth of neutrophils in patients with neutropenia.
Read More
Varicose Veins: Patient Teaching
A patient who experiences prolonged standing (like nurses!) is at risk for developing varicose veins. Educate patients with this risk factor to wear compression stockings and elevate the legs when possible.
Read More
Digoxin and Hypokalemia
Because hypokalemia increases a patient's risk of digoxin toxicity, be sure to closely monitor the potassium levels for patients taking digoxin!
Read More
Atropine
Atropine is a medication that can be administered to patients with sinus bradycardia or heart block in order to increase heart rate.
Read More
Cardiac Enzymes
Cardiac Enzymes are released in response to cardiac ischemia. They include CK-MB, Myoglobin, Troponin T, and Troponin I. Troponin is the most specific!
Read More
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC)
A client experiencing shock is at risk for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC). Monitor for signs of clotting/bleeding and report any of these findings promptly.
Read More
Sick Cell Anemia and Vaso-occlusive Crisis
A child with Sickle Cell Anemia experiencing vaso-occlusive crisis should be treated with scheduled opioid analgesia (non-opioid analgesia will not be sufficient!).
Read More
Infective Endocarditis in Children
A child with infective endocarditis will require IV antibiotics via PICC line for 2 - 6 weeks, and may require a valve repair or replacement.
Read More
Hemophilia in Children: Signs and Treatment
A child with Hemophilia A is deficient in Factor VIII. In Hemophilia B the deficiency is with Factor IX. Treatment of these conditions will include replacement of the missing factor, desmopressin, and aminocaproic acid.
Read More
Key Symptoms of Coarctation of the Aorta
KEY symptoms of Coarctation of the Aorta: elevated BP and bounding pulses in the arms, decreased BP and pulses in the legs.
Read More
Key Symptoms of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus
KEY symptoms of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus: machine-hum murmur, bounding pulses, and wide pulse pressure.
Read More
DASH diet & hypertension
The DASH diet (for patients with hypertension) emphasizes low sodium, high potassium, and high calcium foods.
Read More
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers are Very Nice Drugs: Verapamil, Nifedipine, Diltiazem.
Read More
Calcium Gluconate
Calcium gluconate is used for emergency treatment of hyperkalemia and hypermagnesemia!
Read More
Iron supplements and stool
Iron supplements can cause dark green/black stools. This is expected and harmless.
Read More
Orthostatic Hypotension
A patient is POSITIVE for orthostatic hypotension if: The SBP decreases more than 20mmHg when changing position AND/OR the DBP decreases more than 10mmHg
Read More
Key Information: Beta Blockers
Non-selective beta blockers are used for hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and MIs. However, they should NEVER be used in patients with asthma, as they can cause bronchospasm.
Read More
Non-selective Beta Blockers
Please Listen Carefully - these beta blockers are NON-selective: Propranolol, Labetalol, Carvedilol. They will impact the lungs too!
Read More
Amiodarone Drip
Amy owes me one hundred dollars, but she is in the hospital with VFIB on an amiodarone drip... so I guess it's not a good time to collect.
Read More
Anticoagulant Side Effects
The key side effect to remember with ALL anticoagulants (ex: heparin, warfarin, rivaroxaban) is BLEEDING!
Read More
Epoetin Alfa
Taking epoetin alfa will fix your anemia so you can grow up to be a strong alpha male.
Read More
Niacin Hypercholesterolemia
Niacin (Vitamin B3) can be used to treat hypercholesterolemia. Key side effect is flushing of the face.
My face doesn't look very nice after taking niacin (because it is flushed!)

Ferrous Sulfate
Ferrous Sulfate is an iron supplement that can stain the teeth.
I'm furious that my teeth got stained from ferrous sulfate!
Read MoreI'm furious that my teeth got stained from ferrous sulfate!

Magnesium Toxicity
Too much magnesium (magnesium toxicity) brought Maggie to her knees (due to cardiac and respiratory depression).
Read More
Potassium Ranges
Potassium (K) expected range: 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L HINT #1: There are ~3.1 miles in a 5K HINT #2: Bananas (high in Potassium!) come in bunches of 3-5.
Read More
Magnesium Ranges
Magnesium (Mg) expected range: 1.3 - 2.1 mEq/L HINT: MGs are very small British cars - you can only fit 1-2 people in them.
Read More
Hyperkolemia & Hypokolemia
The MOST important side effect to know for BOTH hyperkalemia and hypokalemia is DYSRHYTHMIAS.
Read More
Troponin
Troponin T and I are key cardiac enzymes that become elevated when there is damage to the heart.
Read More
Chvostek's Sign
One sign of hypocalcemia is a positive Chvostek's sign.
HINT: You check for the Chovostek's sign by tapping the patient's cheek (over the area of the facial nerve).
Read More
Warfarin
Warfarin is an important oral anticoagulant. The mode of action of warfarin is the antagonize vitamin K, which prevents formation of several clotting factors. HINT: Warfarin declares WAR on vitamin K.
Read More
BP Cuffs
Blood pressure cuffs: If the cuff is too large, you will get a falsely low reading. If the cuff is too small, you will get a falsely high reading.
Read More
Thrombolytic Meds
Thrombolytic meds include: alteplase, reteplase (many end in -plase). If you are trying to break up a clot, you have come to the right PLACE!
Read More
Apical Pulse
Apical pulse is taken at the fifth intercostal space at the left midclavicular line.
Read More
Rivaroxaban
Rivaroxaban is an anticoagulant. HINT: If you take Rivaroxaban, your blood will flow like a river. RivaroXaban works by inhibiting factor Xa in the coagulation cascade.
Read More
What blood type can receive what blood type?
Know what types each blood type can receive:
Type O: Can receive O
Type A: Can receive A and O
Type B: Can receive B and O
Type AB: Can receive A, B, AB, & O

Know your antidotes for anticoagulants
Know your antidotes for anticoagulants: Vitamin K for warfarin, Protamine for Heparin.
Read More
Therapeutic INR for patients receiving warfarin
Therapeutic INR is 2-3 for patients receiving warfarin.
Read More
Therapeutic aPTT for patients receiving Heparin
Therapeutic aPTT is 1.5-2 times baseline (baseline = 30-40 sec) for patients receiving Heparin.
Read More
Major Risk Factor for Rheumatic Fever
Major risk factor for rheumatic fever: untreated or partially treated upper respiratory infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS).
Read MoreSHOP
Videos by Subject
Subscribe
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …