Foundations of Clinical Nursing Practice Test 1

Need to know in Patient Safety

Developmental levels
Mobility, sensory, and cognitive status
Lifestyle choices
Special risks found in health care setting

Patient Safety according to QSEN

Minimizes risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance.

Patient Safety according to IOM

New standard for quality care�care that is free of unintended injury from acts of commission or omission, in any setting in which it is delivered.

Patient Centered Care according to QSEN

Recognize the patient or designee as the source of control and full partner in providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient's preferences, values, and needs.

Purpose of the National Patient Safety Goals (TJC website)

The NPSGs were established to help accredited organizations address specific areas of concern in regards to patient safety.

Risks for Infant, Toddler, and Preschooler

Injuries, lead poisoning, accidents due to particular stage of growth--such as oral activity and children possibly ingesting dangerous substances or choking

Risks for the School-Age Child

Different environments outside of the home, such as school, school transportation, after school activities, etc. Strangers, sports activities, bicycle related injuries.

Risks for the Adolescent

greater independence and separate emotionally from family; tension associated with physical and psychological changes and peer pressures can lead to risk-taking behaviors like smoking or drugs; motor vehicle accidents

Risks for the Adult

lifestyle habits: alcohol/drug use, and smoking; stress leading to accidents or illnesses, such as headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, and infections

Risks for the Older Adult

physiological changes leading to greater fall risk and other types of accidents such as burns and car accidents

Risks within the Healthcare Setting

Medical errors: infection, bed sores, and failure to diagnose and treat in time; medication errors; falls, client-inherent accident; procedure-related accidents; equipment-related accidents

Inflammation

A protective reaction;
Can be caused by nonliving agents i.e. heat, trauma;
Always present with infection;
Infection occurs only through superimposed evasion of microorganisms;
It establishes an environment for healing

Infection

Involves invasion of tissue or cells by microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, or viruses)
Always has inflammation present
Often reveals altered lab values ( i.e. WBCs, positive cultures)

Infection and Inflammation

can be local, systemic, acute or chronic

Recognizing Infection

Local or systemic
Patient information, clinical appearance (objective and subjective)
Vital signs
Lab values
CBC (Complete Blood Count)
Culture reports

Recognizing Inflammation

Swelling
Redness--Hyperemia
Heat
Pain/Tenderness
Loss of Function

Functions of red blood cells (erythrocytes)

carry oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and transfer carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Oxygen transfer is accomplished via the hemoglobin contained in RBC's. Hemoglobin combines readily with oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Normal values white blood cells (leukocytes)

normally 5000 to 10,000/microliter, can rise up to 15,000 to 20,000/microliter and higher during inflammation, high white blood cell count can indicate infection

Functions of white blood cells

involved in cellular response of inflammation upon arrival at site; WBC pass through blood vessels and into the tissues; through phagocytosis, neutrophils and monocytes ingest and destroy microorganisms and other small particles

High red blood cell count (polycethemia)

increases in the RBC count occur at high altitudes because less atmospheric weight pushes air into the lungs, causing a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen and hypoxia. With strenuous physical training, increased muscle mass demands more oxygen.

Normal values of red blood cells

4 to 6 million/microliter

Low red blood cell count (anemia)

can occur from either a decrease in the number of red blood cells, a decrease in the hemoglobin content, or both. Red blood cells live for approximately four months in the bloodstream

Normal levels of platelets

150,000 to 400,000/microliter

Functions of platelets (thrombocytes)

prevent bleeding

Chain of Infection

Infection occurs in a cycle that depends on the presence of:
Infectious agent or pathogen, Reservoir or source for pathogen growth, portal of exit from the reservoir, mode of transmission, portal of entry to a host, susceptible host

Infectious agent

microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa; can cause disease when there is sufficient number, adequate virulence, ability to enter and survive the host, and susceptibility of the host

Reservoir

place where a pathogen can survive but may not multiply, may be in food, oxygen, and water; factors that affect bacteria growth are temperature, pH, and light (organisms can thrive in the dark)

Portal of Exit

for microorganisms to grow and multiply they must exit their host, portals of exits include blood, skin, and mucous membranes, respiratory tract, genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and transplacental (mother to fetus).

Modes of Transmission

the specific way a disease is transmitted, most common: (unwashed hands) direct (person-person), physical contact, indirect (susceptible host to inanimate object), droplet (large particles that travel up to 3 ft), airborne, vehicles, vector (mosquitos)

Portal of Entry

organism enter the body through the same routes they use for exiting

Susceptible Host

depends on the individual degree of resistance to a pathogen (immune response). Factors that influence susceptibility are age, nutritional status, presence of chronic disease, trauma, and smoking

pathogenicity

the ability of a pathogen to produce an infectious disease in an organism

localized infection

localized symptoms (wound infection) pain and tenderness and redness at the wound site

systemic infection

infection that affects the entire body instead of just a single organ or part, can become fatal if left untreated

inflammatory response

protective reaction that serves to neutralize pathogens and repair body cells

nursing actions that control or eliminate infections in the clinical setting

properly administering antibiotics, monitoring response to drug therapy, and using proper hand hygiene and standard precautions; supportive therapy would include proper nutrition and rest

Role of nurse in infection control

Assess patient's defense mechanisms: age, nutritional status, stress, disease process; susceptibility and knowledge of infections;
"Risk for Infection": lab data and clinical appearance;
Consult Infection Control Practitioner: clients with infection

Nursing Care Infection Control-wound care

Handwashing
Use gloves
Elevate foot
Aseptic technique for dressing change
Discard contaminated dressing, linens, etc. properly
Administer medications
Management of fever
Rest
Maintain glucose within normal range
Healthy diet
Teach infection control

Acute/Transient Pain

protective, has an identifiable cause, is of short duration, and has limited tissue damage and emotional response

Chronic/Persistent Pain

not protective and serves no purpose, lasts longer than anticipated, does not always have an identifiable cause, and leads to great personal suffering, can be cancerous or noncancerous)

Chronic/Episodic

pain that occurs sporadically over an extended duration of time, may last for hours, days, or weeks (migraine headaches)

Cancer pain

can be acute and/or chronic, sometimes nociceptive and/or neuropathic; usually due to tumor progression and its related pathological process, invasive procedures, toxicities or treatments, infection , and physical limitation--at actual site or referred

Inferred pain by pathological process

Nociceptive pain--somatic and visceral and neuropathic pain

Nociceptive Pain

Damage to bone, soft tissue, or internal organs
Usually responsive to nonopioids and/or opioids
Types of nociceptive pain: somatic pain and visceral pain

Somatic Pain

Arises from bone, joint, muscle, skin or connective tissue
Usually aching or throbbing in quality and is well localized

Visceral Pain

Arises from viscera, such as the GI tract and pancreas;
Described as squeezing, cramping pain, shooting;
May be due to obstruction of hollow viscous, which causes the cramping and poorly localized pain

Neuropathic Pain

Abnormal processing of sensory input by the peripheral or central nervous system;
Treatment usually includes adjuvant drugs;
A physical cause for reports of excruciating pain may not be evident on examination

Idiopathic Pain

chronic pain in the absence of an identifiable physical or psychological cause or pain perceived as excessive for the extent of an organic pathological condition

factors that influence pain

physiological factor: age, fatigue, genes, neurological function; social factors: attention, previous experience, family and social support; Spiritual factors; psychological factors: anxiety, coping style; Cultural Factors: meaning of pain, ethnicity

Pain Assessment

Factors influencing the pain experience:
Location
Intensity
Quality
Pattern
Aggravating/relieving factors
Medication history

Pharmacological Measures Nursing Responsibilities (pain management)

Assess pain
Determine when to administer analgesics
Select the appropriate analgesic
Evaluate effectiveness of analgesics
Monitor and manage medication side effects
Suggest changes
Consider the needs of special populations (mentally ill, cognitively impai

nursing role in pain management

Direct clinical care
Patient/family teaching
Education of colleagues
Identify system barriers

Factors Affecting Oxygenation

physiological, developmental, lifestyle, environmental

Physiological Factors affecting oxygenation

reduced oxygen carrying capacity, reduced inspired oxygen concentration, hypovolemia, higher metabolic rate, impaired chest wall movement-pregnancy, obesity, musculoskeletal abnormalities, trauma, neuromuscular diseases, central nervous system alterations

Developmental Factors affecting oxygenation

infants and toddlers (upper respiratory tract infection), school age children and adolescents (smoking-respiratory infections), young and middle age adults (lifestyle factors-affect cardiopulmonary health)

The older adult and oxygenation

trachea & large bronchi become enlarged from calcification of the airways; alveoli enlarge, reducing the surface area available for gas exchange; the number of cilia is reduced, causing a decrease in the effectiveness of the cough mechanism-which can caus

Lifestyle factors affecting oxygenation

habits such as cigarette smoking or unhealthy diets; nutrition, exercise, smoking, substance abuse, stress

environmental factors affecting oxygenation

pulmonary disease is higher in smoggy, urban areas than in rural areas; patient's workplace --occupational pollutants include asbestos, talcum powder, dust, and airborne fibers

Alterations in Respiratory Functioning

Atelectasis
Aspiration
Hyperventilation
Hypoventilation
Hypoxia

Atelectasis

collapse of alveoli which prevents normal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Aspiration

occurs when fluids are breathed into the lungs or airways leading to the lungs

Hyperventilation

a state of ventilation in excess of that required to eliminate the carbon dioxide produced by cellular metabolism

Hypoventilation

occurs when alveolar ventilation is inadequate to meet the body's oxygen demand or to eliminate sufficient carbon dioxide

Hypoxia

inadequate tissue oxygenation at the cellular level, results from a deficiency in oxygen delivery or oxygen utilization at the cellular level-life threatening condition

Signs and symptoms of Hypoxia

apprehension, inability to concentrate, declining level of consciousness, dizziness, and behavioral changes, increased pulse rate and increased rate and depth of respiration

Cyanosis

blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the presence of desaturated hemoglobin in capillaries-late sign of hypoxia

Objective nursing assessment as related to oxygenation

Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation;
Laboratory and diagnostic tests
Hemoglobin
Pulse oximetry
Arterial blood gases

Arterial blood gas analysis

most effective way to evaluate acid-base balance and oxygenation, deviation from normal value will indicate that the client is experiencing an acid-base imbalance; measure of: pH, PaCO2, PaO2, oxygen saturation, and HCO3-

Inspection as related to oxygenation

Respiratory rate, rhythm, depth, breathing pattern
Skin color
Breathing posture
Muscles used in breathing
Clubbing of finger nails
Capillary refill
Level of consciousness

Diagnostic Tests as related to oxygenation

Hemoglobin Levels: 13.5-18g/dl males, 12-16g/dl female
Chest x-ray
Pulmonary function studies
Lung Scan
Bronchoscopy
Throat culture
Sputum specimens
Pulse oximetry

Pulse Oximetry

Non-invasive
Measures arterial oxygen saturation
SpO2 Normal is > 95%
Ensure accuracy: validate with patient heart rate
Ensure accuracy: determine patient's hemoglobin level
Continuous, intermittent, or during ambulation

pH

Normal arterial blood pH is 7.35 - 7.45; acidic is less than 7.35 and alkaloid is greater than 7.45

PaCO2

partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood and is a reflection of pulmonary ventilation; normal range is 35 - 45 mm Hg, hyperventilation occurs when the PaCO2 is less than 35mm Hg; hypoventilation occurs when the PaCO2 level is more than 45mm Hg

PaO2

partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood; normal range is 80-100mm Hg; less than 60mm Hg leads to anaerobic metabolism, resulting in acidic production and metabolic acidosis; hyperventilation also causes a decrease in PaO2, or respiratory alkalosis

Oxygen Saturation

the point at which hemoglobin is saturated by O2, normal range is 95%-99%

nursing action for atelectasis

hypoventilation occurs so best action is to help improve tissue oxygenation, restoring ventilatory function, treating the atelectasis, and achieving acid base balance. use of incentive spirometer, deep breathing and coughing, pursed lip breathing

nursing action for hypoventilation

same as atelectasis, add diaphragmatic breathing-if possible, check on oxygen therapy

nursing action for aspiration

positioning to avoid aspiration, coughing to clear sputum/fluid, maintain a clear airway

nursing action for hyperventilation

oxygen therapy, diaphragmatic breathing to relax patient, incentive spirometer

nursing action for hypoxia

oxygen therapy, incentive spirometer, diaphragmatic breathing

general nursing actions in regards to oxygenation

Auscultate lung sounds
- Monitor RR, depth, rhythm
-Monitor vital signs
-Monitor O2 sat, ABGs
-Monitor mental status
-Position for best lung expansion, elevate HOB
-Reposition regularly
-Ambulate patient
-Provide oxygen
-Provide humidification
-Increase f

Principles of Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen should be treated as a drug
Expensive
Side Effects
Safety issues
Verify 6 Rights of medication

Factors that influence the quality and quantity of sleep

Physical Illness
Drugs/Medications
Lifestyle
Emotional Stress
Environment
Nutrition
Sensory Deprivation

hypersomnolence

sleep problems from inadequacies in either quantity or quality of nighttime sleep on a daily basis

insomnia

a symptom clients experience when they have chronic difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings from sleep, and/or short sleep or nonrestorative sleep (most common complaint)

sleep apnea

disorder characterized by the lack of airflow through the nose and mouth for periods of 10 seconds or longer during sleep; 3 types: central, obstructive, and mixed apnea

obstructive sleep apnea

occurs when muscles or structures of the oral cavity or throat relax during sleep; the upper airway becomes partially or completely blocked, diminishing (hypopnea) nasal airflow or stopping for as long as 30 seconds

central sleep apnea

involves dysfunction in the brain's respiratory control center, the impulse to breathe temporarily fails, and nasal airflow and chest wall movement cease

narcolepsy

dysfunction of mechanisms that regulate the sleep and wake states (may fall asleep uncontrollably at times)

sleep deprivation

result of dyssomnia, causes may be illness, emotional stress, medications, environmental substances, and variability in the timing of sleep due to shift work

parasomnias

sleep problems that are more common in children than in adults--may have link to SIDS, in older children: somnambulism, night terrors, nightmares, nocturnal enuresis, body rocking, and bruxism (tooth grinding)

measures to promote sleep

Adequate assessment
Plan activities to maximize time for rest and sleep
Provide comfort measures
Establish sleep environment
Patient education

interventions to promote sleep

Plan activities to maximize time for rest & sleep
Provide comfort measures
Establish sleep environment
Establish sleep routine
Avoid stimulants
Avoid exercise 2-3 hours before bedtime
Pharmacological approaches

sleep apnea treatment

Behavioral Therapy
-weight reduction
-avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, sleeping pills
-positional therapy
Physical or Mechanical Therapy
-dental appliance
-positive airway pressure device

nursing process

professional nurse's approach to identify, diagnose, and treat human responses to health and illness; 5 steps: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation

nursing assessment

deliberate and systematic collection of data to determine a client's current and past health status and functional status and to determine the client's present and past coping patterns

steps of the nursing assessment

1) collection and verification of data from a primary source, and secondary sources
2) the analysis of all data as a basis for developing nursing diagnoses, identifying collaborative problems, and developing a plan of individualized care

database

built during assessment, concerns the client's perceived needs, health problems, and responses to these problems

sources of data

client, family and significant others, health care team medical records, nurse's experience, other records and literature

subjective data

client's verbal description of their health problems, will include feelings perceptions, and self-report of symptoms

objective data

observations or measurements of a client's health status

nursing health history

data about the client's current level of wellness, including a review of body systems, family and health history, sociocultural history, spiritual health, and mental and emotional reactions to illness

data analysis

involves recognizing patterns or trends in the clustered data, comparing them with standards, and then coming to a reasoned conclusion about the client's responses to a health problem.

medical diagnosis

the identification of a disease condition based on a specific evaluation of physical signs, symptoms, the client's medical history, and the results of diagnostic tests and procedures

nursing diagnosis

clinical judgment about individual, family, or community responses to actual & potential health problems or life processes; statement describing the client's actual or potential response to a health problem that nurse is licensed and competent to treat.

collaborative problem

an actual potential physiological complication that nurses monitor to detect the onset of changes in a client's status

North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA)

established to develop, refine, and promote a taxonomy of nursing diagnostic terminology of general use for professional nurses

defining criteria

the clinical criteria or assessment findings that support an actual nursing diagnosis

clinical criteria

objective or subjective signs and symptoms, clusters of signs and symptoms, or risk factors that lead to a diagnostic conclusion

actual nursing diagnosis

describes human responses to health conditions or life processes that exist in an individual, family, or community--acute pain

risk diagnosis

describes human responses to health conditions/life processes that will possibly develop in a vulnerable individual, family, or community

health promotion nursing diagnosis

a clinical judgment of a person's, family's, or community's motivation and desire to increase well-being and actualize human health potential as expressed in their readiness to enhance specific health behaviors, such as nutrition and exercise

diagnostic label

the name of the nursing diagnosis as approved by NANDA International, it describes the essence of a client's response to health conditions in as few words as possible

related factors

a condition or etiology identified from the client's assessment data, associated with the client's actual or potential response to the health problem and can change by using nursing interventions

etiology

the cause of a disease, and is alway within the domain of nursing practice and a condition that responds to nursing interventions

planning

3rd step of nursing process; a category of nursing behaviors in which a nurse sets client-centered goals and expected outcomes and plans nursing interventions

priority setting

the ordering of nursing diagnoses or client problems using notions of urgency and/or importance to establish a preferential order for nursing actions

goal

an aim, intent, or end; a broad statement that describes the desired change in a client's condition or behavior

expected outcomes

measurable criteria to evaluate goal achievement

client-centered goal

specific and measurable behavior or response that reflects a client's highest possible level of wellness and independence in function

short-term goal

an objective behavior or response that you expect a client to achieve in a short time, usually less than a week

long-term goal

an objective behavior or response that you expect a client to achieve over a longer period; usually over several days, weeks, or months

guidelines for writing goals

client-centered
singular goal or outcome
observable
measurable
time-limited
mutual factors
realistic

types of interventions

independent nursing, dependent nursing, and collaborative interventions

independent nursing intervention

actions that a nurse initiates

dependent nursing intervention

physician initiated, actions that require an order from a physician or another health care professional

collaborative intervention

interdependent, therapies that require the combined knowledge, skill, and expertise of multiple health care professionals

nursing care plan

enhances the continuity of nursing care by listing specific nursing interventions needed to achieve the goals of care

scientific rationale

the reason that you chose a specific nursing action, based on supporting evidence

implementation

4th step of nursing process; formally begins after the nurse develops a plan of care

nursing intervention

any treatment, based upon clinical judgment and knowledge, that a nurse performs to enhance client outcomes

Implementation skill of nursing process

cognitive skills: application of critical thinking to nursing process
interpersonal skills: effective for nursing action-developing a relationship
psychomotor skills: integration of cognitive and interpersonal skills

evaluation

last step of nursing process; used to determine if after application of the nursing process, the client's condition or well-being improved (used to determine if you met expected outcomes, not if nursing interventions were completed)

standard of care

minimum level of care accepted to ensure high quality of care to clients; defines the types of therapies typically administered to clients with defined problems or needs

Oxygen Saturation

Normal PaO2 80-100 mm Hg
Normal O2 saturation > 95%
(SaO2)
Compare to pulse oximetry reading
(SpO2)

Acid Base Imbalances

Normal pH 7.35-7.45
Acidosis <7.35
Alkalosis >7.45
Lungs regulate pH using CO2
Kidneys regulate pH using HCO3

Respiratory Acidosis

pH Below 7.35
PaCO2 Above 45
HCO3 Normal
Common Example: Hypoventilation

Respiratory Alkalosis

pH Above 7.45
PaCO2 Below 35
HCO3 Normal
Common Example: Hyperventilation