ATI RN CAPSTONE WEEKLY TIPS FUNDAMENTALS LATEST UPDATE TO SCORE A+

While lab values vary slightly according to the source, knowing an average range for the following common lab tests will be very helpful on to you when answering questions. 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% WBC5,000-10,000/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% Platelet150,000-400,000/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) Normal PTT = 30-40 sec (Therapeutic PTT 1.5 – 2 x normal or control values) 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: 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 Management: neg. pressure room, private room, mask, n-95 for TB. DROPLET: "SPIDERMAn" -Sepsis -Scarlet Fever -Strep -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 Test taking tip: Slow Down! Reading questions too quickly can lead to errors. When you are testing, try to slow down a bit so that you do not miss any key words - Before each and every question try this: Take a deep breath in then out. Read the stem of the question, read the choices. REREAD the stem of the question to make sure to understand what is really being asked -then make your selection. Start the process all over with a deep breath in and out. Don’t forget to take advantage of your focused review following each assessment! Reviewing the topics you miss is KEY to building up your knowledge base. 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: 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) Meclozine (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. *Remember most antiemetics can cause sedation so watch out for additive effect if given with narcotic analgesics and protect your client from injury. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)