NURS 435 ATI helpful notes

FUNDEMENTALS
Sodium 136-145 mEq/L
Potassium 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Total Calcium 9.0-10.5 mg/dL
Magnesium 1.3-2.1 mg/dL
Phosphorus 3.0 –4.5 mg/dL
BUN 10-20 mg/dL
Creatinine 0.6 – 1.2mg/dL males, 0.5 – 1.1 mg/dL females
Glucose 70 -105 mg/dL
HgbA1c <6.5%
WBC 5,000-10,000/mm3
RBC Men 4.7-6.1 million/mm3, Women 4.2-5.4 million/mm3
Hemoglobin Men 14-18g/100 mL, Women 12-16 g/100 mL
Hematocrit Men 42-52%,Women 37-47%
Platelet 150,000-400,000/mm3
pH 7.35-7.45
pC02 35 to45 mm Hg
p02 80-100 mmHg
HCO3 21-26mmol/L

Normal PT = 11-12.5 sec, Normal INR = 0.7-1.8 (Therapeutic INR 2-3) -Coumadin

Normal PTT = 30-40 sec (Therapeutic PTT 1.5 – 2 x normal or control values)-Hepr.

Digoxin 0.5 to 2.0ng/mL

Lithium 0.8 to 1.4 mEq/L

Dilantin 10-20 mcg/mL

Theophylline 10 to 20mcg/mL

Latex Allergies: Note that clients allergic to bananas, apricots, cherries, grapes,
kiwis, passion fruit, avocados, chestnuts, tomatoes, and/or peaches may experience
latex allergies as well.

Order of assessment:


1

, I-inspection

 P-palpation

 P-percussion

 A-auscultation

Except with abdomen it is IAPP-inspect, auscultate, percuss and palpate.

Cane walking:

 C-cane

 O-opposite

 A-affected

 L-leg

Crutch walking:

Remember the phase “step up” when picturing a person going up stairs with crutches.
The good leg goes up first followed by the crutches and the bad leg. The opposite
happens going down the stairs….OR “up to heaven…down to hell”

Delegation:

RNs DO NOT delegate what they can EAT - evaluate, assess, teach

Helpful tool to remember Isolation Precautions:

AIRBORNE: "My Chicken Hez TB"

-Measles
-Chicken pox
-Herpes zoster
-TB, Varicella

Management: neg. pressure room, private room, mask, n-95 for TB.

DROPLET: "SPIDERMAn"
-Sepsis
-Scarlet Fever
-Strep

2

,-Pertussis
-Pneumonia
-Parvovirus
-Influenza
-Diphtheria
-Epiglottitis
-Rubella
-Mumps
-Adenovirus

Management: Private room/mask


CONTACT: "MRS WEE"

-MRSA

-VRSA

-RSV

-Skin infections (herpes zoster, cutaneous diphtheria, impetigo, pediculosis,
scabies, and staphylococcus)

-Wound infections

-Enteric infections (Clostridium difficile)

-Eye infections (conjunctivitis)

Management: gown, gloves, goggles, private room

PHARMACOLOGY:


Antiemetics

An antiemetic is a medication used in the treatment and/or prevention of nausea and
vomiting.

Remember generic names are our friend because meds in the same classification often
have similar generic names but brand names can come and go.

Here are some common classes of antiemetics and their generic names – notice the
similarities in the generic names:
3

, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (serotonin antagonists)

 Dolasetron (Anzemet)

 Granisetron (Kytril, Sancuso)

 Ondansetron (Zofran)

 Tropisetron (Navoban)

It’s ‘Tron’ to the rescue!


Dopamine antagonists

 Promethazine (Phenergan)

 Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

 Metoclopramide (Reglan): Now this one is different in generic name because it
can have some different side effects – watch for extra-pyramidal side effects with
metoclopramide.

Sometimes the generic names are not as helpful and you have to remember what meds
fall under certain classes. Antihistamines and cannabinoids are used as antiemetics as
well:


Antihistamines (H1 histamine receptor antagonists)

 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

 Dimenhydrinate (Gravol, Dramamine)

 Meclizine (Bonine, Antivert)


Cannabinoids

Cannabis - Medical marijuana, in the U.S., it is a Schedule I drug.

 Dronabinol (Marinol) - a Schedule III drug in the U.S.



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