AllNursingNotes.com have created the NCLEX 26 Course

(Review and Pass the NCLEX in 26 hrs. or less)

Click the picture on top to learn more.

This is will be one of the most reliable and most trusted course ever created.  Plenty of people have already passed the NCLEX, now it’s your turn.

NCLEX 26 in audio is now available.

Listen to the CD in your car or at work.

Get the CD Here

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) NCLEX Review

NCLEX Review on GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD occurs when the reflux of stomach acid and contents has a “reflux” back into the esophagus.

• This is usually caused due to the weakness within the lower esophageal sphincter or LES.
• This acid, can affect the lining of the esophagus and eventually cause pain to the patient.

Assessment:

• Dysphagia
• HeartBurn (burning and stinging sensation in the upper midsternum.
• Belching (eructation)
• Flatulence
• Chest Pain

Diagnostic Tests:

• pH Monitoring is one of the accurate diagnostics (NG tube is used)
• A pH of less than 4 in the LES is a diagnosis of GERD
• Endoscopy
• Barium Swallow

Management:

• Avoid food that are irritants such as (spicy foods, chocolate, fats)
• Small frequent meals
• Not lie down 2-3 hours after eating.
• Avoid Alcohol

Medications:

• Antacids (Mylanta)
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (Protoix, Nexium)
• Histamine Blockers (Pepcid, Axid)
• Prokinetic Drugs (increases gastric emptying) (Reglan)

Procedures:

Stretta- inhibits the vagus nerve activity in the GI system.

♣ Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF)- fundus of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus to support the LES.

♣ Post Op:

• Elevate the head of bed to prevent respiratory problems.
• Monitor the NG tube

After the procedure: the stomach size is smaller.

- Long term reflux of the acid in GERD patients can cause Barrett’s Esophagus.

Try to Sit Alone to study for the NCLEX

I understand that you are now quite scared and at the same time quite excited to be taking your NCLEX Exam.  You have been stressed out all week, better yet, all month.  Not to mention you have to deal with  the problems of our daily lives, and how many of them would be eased if we could learn to sit alone, in a quiet empty room, with contentment and not worry about the NCLEX.

♣ You are content, and need nothing else. It solves a lot of problems.

♠ Can you sit alone in an empty room? Can you enjoy the joy of quiet?

Most of us have trouble sitting alone, quietly, doing nothing. We have the need to do something, always worried about what can happen on the day of the NCLEX exam. Sitting still can be difficult if you haven’t cultivated the habit.

After hours of reviewing for the NCLEX, I learned to just sit. Even for a few minutes, I just try to listen to my thoughts, to be aware of your urges to worry and be concerned.  You need to learn to watch yourself, by just trying to sit still and not act on any negative urges.

I have learned to be content with stillness, which can benefit my mental state for the NCLEX.

             The NCLEX Exam is your SuperBowl, you have done and (practiced) everything you can do and have now reached your big day.  All of the hard work and training for the NCLEX is all over, it’s now time for the Big Show.  At this point in time you are more prepared than you ever was and ever will be.  Do not be nervous, there is no reason to be anxious since the cat is out the bag.  What you should now do is just to remember that everything is going to fine.  Do not try to make yourself anxious by thinking  or trying to remember all the different norms and values, just relax.

So what exactly to do once you get to the Test Center:

• Take a deep breath in and out and just Relax.

• Show Your ID to the NCLEX Lady, get you palm lasered and fingerprinted.

• Once you get into the Computer you will be doing some practice tests.

• Once the actual questions starts, just try to focus and try not to get distracted.

Don’t think too hard.  It’s your Superbowl, enjoy it.  You are already winning.

JUST RELAX…

The NCLEX is approaching in a few days. While we can’t always control different circumstances that surrounds us, we can always decide how we react.  Here are three simple things you can do:

♣ Take a deep breath.

Just one deep breath will bring you back to earth and let you act from a more stable place.  It calms the nerves and reduces any reactive emotions.
  

♠ Smile.

You might not be happy, but a little grin will remind you not to take things so seriously. Don’t worry about looking slightly deranged with your angry grin, it will soften into something more genuine over time.
  

♦ Always Live on a Positive Reality

We all make our own reality in our minds.  This is always the first step before  acting upon anything.  Why not think “positive” in order to manifest positive “feelings” and “emotions.”  This always helps calm our nerves and in turn makes us more rationale.  I mean what is the worst that can happen… The world doesn’t end if you fail the NCLEX…   : )

NCLEX Quick- E is HERE

Reload Page if video does not function.

NCLEX 26  is now available to the public.

If you want more info regarding the course please email:  allnursingnotes@gmail.com

What you would get in the bundle…

YOU WILL RECEIVE (2) FOR THE PRICE OF ONE

Now Only $33

A quick summary on the Respiratory System:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Emphysema

- Irreversible distention of the alveolar & destruction of alveolar wall.

- “Pink Puffer”- when Emphysema is the primary underlying cause.

- “Blue Bloater”- when there is some chronic bronchitis.

Assessment:

- Pt. has a barrel chest.

- Rapid shallow respirations

- Weight loss

- Grunting

- Thick Sputum & peripheral cyanosis

Interventions:

- Low setting of oxygen (2 – 3L / min)

• - Bronchodilators
• - Steroids
• - Expectorants
• - Antibiotics (if necessary)

Asthma

- Can be Intrinsic ” Non Allergenic” (can be caused due to cold temp. or infections)

- Can be Extrensic “Allergenic”  (often related to eczema, triggered by food allergies).

Assessment:

Shortness of Breath

Wheezing

Dry Hacking Cough

Thick tenacious sputum

♣ Pneumonia

- An infectious disorder (inflammation of parenchyma of lungs)

- Can be caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi.

- Pt’s with bacterial pneumonia can have fever and chills.

♥ Influenza

- A highly contagious viral infection.

Symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• laryngitis
• sore throat
• muscle aches

Treatment:

Controlling of Symptoms

Lung Cancer

Tuberculosis

Pleural Effusion

Empyema

Pulmonary Edema

- Fluid buildup within the lungs.

♦ Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome  (ARDS)

- A noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema.

- Diagnosed through the X- Ray (Ground Glass) Appearance.

Assessments:

- Pt. is Hypoxic

- Presence of crackles or (rhonci)

- Intercostal Retractions

- Refractory Hypoxemia

Treatments:

- Mechanical Ventillation with PEEP or CPAP.

- Make sure that pt. will have at least a PAO2 greater than 60

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome  (SARS)

- A type of pneumonia that is caused bu the Coronavirus.

Treatment:

- The patient is placed in a negative- pressure isolation room.

- Airborne Precaustions including N95 Masks and eye shield.

Here are some Neurological diseases of the Adults:

Spinal Cord Injury

- Trauma to the Spinal Cord

- Spinal Shock (Neurogenic Shock occurs within the first hour of injury)

• Spinal Shock could cause hypotension
• Bradycardia, Assess bowel Sounds.
• Flaccid Paralysis, loss of reflex  activity.

-  Watch out for Autonomic Dysreflexia ( Occurs after the period of Spinal Shock)

• Severe Headache
• Severe Hypertension
• Nasal Stiffness

♣   Cerebral Aneurysm

- a dilation in the weakened wall of a cerebral artery.

Assessment:

• Headache
• Nuchal Rigidity
• Irritability
• Diplopia

Interventions:

- Administer O2 as prescribed

- Maintain Ct. on bedrest in Semi Fowler’s or sidelying.

Seizures

- Abnormal electrical excessive discharge within the brain.

Epilepsy- Chronic seizure activity.

Types of Seizures:

• Generalized Seizures

- Tonic- Clonic (begins w/ aura), Absent

• Partial Seizures

- Simple Partial and Complex Partial.

Myasthenia Gravis

- A Neuromuscular disease characterized by considerable weakness and fatigued muscles.

Parkinsons Disease

- A degenerative disease caused by the depletion of dopamine.

Trigeminal Neuralgia (5th Cranial Nerve)

- A sensory disorder of the fifth cranial nerve.

Bells Palsy (Facial Paralysis)

- Affects the (7th) seventh cranial nerve

- Results in a paralysis in one side of the face.

Guillain- Barre’ Syndrome

- acute infectious neuronitis of the cranial and peripheral nerves.

- the immune system destroys its own myelin sheath.

A couple of pediatric diseases that is a popular topic in the NCLEX includes:

• Phenylketonuria
• Hypospadias

Phenylketonuria or PKU

- it is an inborn error of metabolism in which the child lacks the enzyme necessary for metabolism.

It is important to assess signs of PKU:

• Infant: Failure to thrive, vomiting, irritablity and possible hyperactive behaviors
• Older Child: Bizzare, psychiatric behaviors including head banging, screaming and inappropriate or lack of response to stimuli

Diagnostic Tests

• Newborn Screening: Guthrie blood test: fresh heel blood (not cord blood) is used
• Electroencephalograph (EEG) for infant and older child.

What to know for PKU for the NCLEX:

• A Guthrie test can check the necessary lab values.
• The urine has a high concentration of phenylpyruvic acid
• Mental deficits are often present with PKU.
• The effects of PKU are irreversible.

Hypospadias

• is a CONGENITAL ANOMALY in which the URETHRA is shorter than normal and exits along the underside of the PENIS in a boy or into the VAGINA in a girl.

Digitalis (Digoxin)

• a drug that strengthens the contraction of the heart muscle, slows the heart rate and helps eliminate fluid from body tissues. It’s often used to treat congestive heart failure and is also used to treat certain arrhythmias

Toxicity to digitalis can be associated with heart block.  Clients taking beta blockers, or digitalis should be taught to check their pulse rate and to return to their physician for regular evaluations of their digitalis levels.

The therapeutic level for digoxin (digitalis) is 0.9 – 1.2 ng/ml  if the client’s blood level of digoxin exceeds 2.0 ng/ml the client is then considered toxic, this is very important to know for your nclex exam.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of digitalis toxicity: includes:

• Confusion
• Nausea, vomiting,
• diarrhea
• Blurred Vision
• Halos or rings of light around objects

It is important for the NCLEX to know that clients with digitalis toxicity would often complain of nausea and vomiting and seeing halos around lights.

Before administering digitalis (digoxin) it is very important to check apical pulse for 1 minute, if less that 60 bpm you hold the medication and wait for five minutes and check again.   If heart rate is still below 60 bpm, notify the physician

• The treatment for digitalis toxicity includes checking the potassium level, because hypokalemia can contribute to digitalis toxicity.

The Glascow Coma Scale

The Glascow coma scale is used to assess the neurological status based on:

• client’s motor skills
• verbal
• eye opening responses

* the glascow coma scale does not include the Pupil Dilation *

The normal ICP level or Intracranial pressure is 10-20 mm Hg.

Here are a couple of drugs that is important to know for the NCLEX.

1. Antiplatelets
2. Anticoagulants

Antiplatelets

Antiplatelets- Coagulation disorders can be treated pharmcologically by preventing the formation of blood clots (thrombi) or by dissolving the existing thrombi.  Antiplatelet, anticoagulants and thrombolytics drugs are used in treatment of these coagulation disorders.

• Basically, antiplatelet drugs interefere with platelet membrane function, by preventing the release of platelet constituents, and prolong bleeding time, thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation.  Aspirin is the most frequently used antiplatelet drug
• Uses: Antiplatelet drugs are used more frequently to prevent arterial thrombosis.  Aspirin is indicated for thromboembolic disorders to prevent myocardial infarction (MI) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Antiplatelet drugs are contraindicated for women during pregnancy and lactation.

Aspirin  use in children and adolescents with influenza-like symptoms or chicken pox is contraindicated because of possible associateion with Reye’s Syndrome.

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants are drugs that suppress the production of fibrin, thereby dissrupting the coagulation cascade.  You have to understand that both anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs suppress thrombosis but through different mechanism.

Autonomic Nervous System Drugs

Adrenergic Drugs: are usually divided into two groups, direct acting and mixed acting.

Direct Acting Adrenergics (Nonselective Alpha and Beta) Agonists

• Epinephrine (Adrenaline Chloride) increases the force of myocardial contraction, increases the systolic blood pressure, cardiac rate and output and relaxes the bronchial smooth muscle (nclex).  Epinephrine can be used as a treatment of anaphylaxis and bronchospasm and control or prevention of low blood pressure during spinal anesthesia.
• Adverse Effects of epinephrine includes anxiety, headache, fear, arrythmias, hypertension and cerebral/ subarrachnoid hemorrhage.  Nursing Implications includes rotating the SC sites and monitoring for any necrosis.
• Prototype: Norepinphrine Bitartrate (Levophed): an alpha and beta 1 receptor agonist.  Cardiac actions involves an increase in total peripheral resistance.  Adverse Reaction includes bradycardia, cardiac arrythmias and headaches.

Cholinergic Agents

Cholinergics: actions for certain cholinergics included mediating the synaptic activity in the nervous system, it also stimulates the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic system (PNS) causing vasodilation and cardiac depression (nclex).  It can also cause miosis of the eye as it contracts the iris sphincter muscle (nclex).  Therefore , it is sometimes used to produce miosis in eye surgeries. Adverse reaction for this medication includes hypotension, bradycardia and bronchospasm.

• Betanechol Chloride (Urecholine)- is used to treat postoperatively urinary retention (nclex).

Anticholinergics

• Atropine Sulfate- blocks the neurotransmitter acetycholine and inhibits parasympathetic actions.

Antiparkinson Agents

- there are two types of antiparkinson agents, this includes anticholinergics and dopaminergic agents.

Antiparkinsonian Drugs control rather than cure symptoms of Parkinson’s.  It is important to know that Antiparksinonian drugs are initiated and discontinued gradually (nclex) therefore, it should not be withdrawn abpuptly.  Antiparkinsonian drugs are contraindicated in clients with glacauma, prostatic hyperthropy, duodenal ulcerts and tachycardia: nclex.

1. Example of an Anticholinergic drug is trihexyphenidyl HCL (Artane)
2. Example of the dopameniergic drug is Levodopa (Larodopal)

I want to cover a little bit of the Psychiatric Disorder that you may find in the nclex exam.  I will try to review the most commonly diagnosed disorders.  This includes: the anxiety related disorders, personality disorders the psychotic disorders of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, substance abuse and the disorders most often seen in childhood and adolescence.

Anxiety related disorders: Anxiety related disorders would include the following: Dissociative identity disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obssessive-conmpulive disorder, panic disorder, phobic disorder, post traumatic disorder and somatoform disorder.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
• Dissociative identity Disorder
• Somatoform Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Phobic Disorder
• Obsesive Compulsive Disorder

Anxiety Disorders are generally characterized by feeling of fear and apprehension, accompanied by a sense of powerlessness.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is usually the most common form of anxiety disorder and is frequently accompanied by depression, somatization and development of phobias (nclex).  The client with generalized anxiety disorder usually worries very excessively over everything and the stress this create will have a huge impact in that person’s life.  Research have suggested that alterations in the serotonin, norepeniphrine and gamma acid can account for some of the cases of generalized anxiety disorder.

Post traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic Stress Disorder: usually develops after exposure to a clearly identifiable threat.  Usually a person who is diagnosed with PTSD or Post traumatic Stress Disorder has a hard time coping.  PTSD or Post traumatic Stress Disorder usually is characterized according to the onset, either acute or delayed.  Acute PTSD occurs within six months of the event, while delayed PTSD on the other hand, occurs six months or more after the event.   Symptoms of PTSD/ Post traumatic Stress Disorder includes:

• Blunted Emotions
• Feelings of Detachment
• Flashbacks
• Survivor Guilt
• Moral Guilt PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is common in those who are survivors of combat, natural disasters,m sexual assault or catasthrophic events.

Remember that patients with PTSD who uses cocaine or amphetamines are more vulnerable to paranoia and psychosis than those who do not use stimulants.

The immune system is consists of specialized cells and structures that defend the body against invasion of harmful organisms or chemical toxins.  The immune and hematologic system plays an important role in the body’s defenses.  The key components of the immune system are the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and tonsils.  The key components of the hematologic system are the blood and the bone  marrow.

Oxygen carries Erythrocytes which is also called red blood cells or RBC’s, they are formed in the bone marrow and contains hemoglobin (Hb).  Oxygen binds with Hb to form oxyhemoglobin, which is then carried by erythrocytes throughout the body.  Thrombocytes is a clotting contributor which is also called platelets, they are formed in the bone marrow and function in the coagulation of blood.

The Leukocytes or the white blood cells or WBC’s are formed in the bone marrow and lymphatic tissue and includes granulocytes and agrunolocytes.  The Plasma on the other hand, is the liquid portion of the blood and its composition is water, protien (albumin and globulin) glucose and electrolytes.  A lot of the NCLEX questions can someway or another be related to hematology and the blood components, therefore it is important to know this for the NCLEX.  Also, a person’s blood type is determined by a system of antigens located on the surface of the RBC’s.  The four main blood types includes: A antigen, B antigen, AB antigen, and bloody type O which has no antigens.

A quick review of the Hematological Diseases:

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: AIDS

Signs and Symptoms to know for NCLEX: Anorrexia, weight loss, recurrent diarrhea, night sweats, dementia.

Results of the Diagnostic Tests to know for the NCLEX: A patient would have a CD4 T Cell count that is less than 200 cells/ul.  Also it is important to remember that a patient with AIDS would have the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showing a positive human immunodefficiency virus antibody titer.  The Western Blot would also be positive.

Key Treatments to know for the NCLEX: Transfusion Therapy might be necessary: this includes fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and packed red blood cells (RBC’s).  An antibiotic can be used (Bactrim), Antivirals can also be used.

Leukemia: Key Signs and Symptoms: Enlarged Lymph Nodes, spleen and liver.  The patient would have frequent infections and weakness and fatigue.  For the NCLEX, keep in note that the bone marrow biopsy would show a large number of immature leukocytes.  The key treatments for patients with Leukemia, would be medications such as antimetabolites: (flourouracil)  Alkylating agents: busulfan.  For patients with leukemia it is important to monitor for bleeding and monitoring for infection (important for the NCLEX). It is also important to administer transfusion therapy as ordered and monitor for adverse reaction.

Lymphoma

Key signs and symptoms: Could be Hodgkin’s Disease, which has a predictable pattern and it can be an enlarged nontender, firm and movable lymph nodes in the cervical regions (Hodgkin’s Disease).  Or it can also have a less predictable pattern of spread and showing a prominent , painless, generalized lymphadenopathy (malignant lymphoma)

Hematology is an important part in the NCLEX exam, and not knowing what is really going to be in the NCLEX, it is important to be safe and study the entire Hematologic diseases to prepare for the NCLEX.

Anemia: Remember for the NCLEX that anemia is basically a decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in the capability of these red blood cells to carry oxygen .  Remember that anemia is not a disease but a disorder.  Causes for anemia can include: blood loss, poor dietary iron intake and increased in red blood cell destruction.  Symptoms for anemia includes: fatigue, pallor skin, cardiac changes such as heart murmurs and cardiomegaly, dyspnea, headaches, dizziness and depression.

Types of Anemia: Pernicious Anemia, Aplastic Anemia, Sickle Cell Anemia, Iron Deficiency Anemia and Thalassemia .

• Pernicious Anemia: What to know for the NCLEX:  The intrinsic factor is missing in pernicious anemia resulting in an inability to absorb vitamin B12.  It can occur from a poor dietary intake of foods containing B12 especially in a vegetarian diet.  Symptoms of pernicious anemia includes: pallor, jaundice, smooth beefy tongue (glossitis), fatigue, weight loss, paresthesia and diarrhea.   The treatment for pernicious anemia is the administration of injections of cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).  You administer B12, IM or deep subcutaneously, do not mix in a syringe with other medications.
• Aplastic Anemia: aplastic anemia is a rare disorder that occurs when there is depression of the blood forming elements of the bone marrow.  The cells are replaced with fat.  Symptoms associated with aplastic anemia to know for the NCLEX would include: decreased erythrocytes, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia.  Aplastic anemia can be either primary (congenital) or secondary (acquired).   Treatment of acquired aplastic anemia is accomplished by first identifying that something is rpeventing the bone marrow from carrying out its basic function.
• Sickle Cell Anemia: sickle cell anemia is the most common genetic disease found in the United States.  It is most common in the African American population.  This disorder is inherited as autosomal recessive.  A disease inherited in this manner is characterized by each parent having the sickle cell trait, resulting in a 25% chance of producing an offspring with sickle cell anemia with each pregnancy.  You probably know by know through Nursing School that a client with a sickle cell anemia has red blood cells that have an abnormal crescent shaoe..  Due to this, they cannot flow easily through tiny capillary beds, they then would clamp up and cause an obstruction which can further lead to tissue perfusion.  Red Blood cells containing Hgb S are prone to sickling when exposed to decreased oxygen in the blood.  Different forms of Sickle cell disease includes: Sickle Cell Anemia, Sickle Cell C Disease and S thalassemia disease.
• Sickle Cell Trait: In Sickle Cell Trait, a child inherits normal hemobglobin from one parent and hemoglobin S (the abnormal hemoglobin  from the other.
• Iron Defeciency Anemia: a lack or iron

Thalassemia: Thalassemia is an autosomal-recessive heriditary blood disorder that is found mostly in the African American, Asian and Middle East population.  There are two types of thalassemia being heterozygous and homozygous.  With heterozygous, it is composed of  thalassemia minor or thalassemia trait, in which only a mild microlytic anemia occurs.  With homozygous it is composed of Thalassemia major or Cooley’s anemia, which is much worse and severely anemic.  In this condition, patients would not be able to survive without proper blood transfusions.  The client’s red blood cells are destroyed prematurely.  The signs and symptoms of thalassemia includes pallor, weight loss, hepatomegaly, severe anemia, folic acid defeciency, osteoporosis and heart murmurs.

Polycythemia Vera- is a disorder that is characterized by thicker than normal blood.  With polycythemia vera, there is an increase in the client’s hemoglobin to levels of 18 g/dl, RBC of 6 million/mm or hematocrit of 55% or greater and increased in platelets.

Hemophilia: In hemophilia, there is a defeciency ofone of the factors necessary for the clotting process or  blood coagulation.  For the NCLEX, remember that for patients with hemophelia, there is an abnormal clotting pattern that occurs resulting in an ineffective clotting.  Hemophilia is inherited as a sex linked disorder.  It is an x linked recessive disorder, which means that the mother passes the trait to her male children.  The primary goals in treating a client with hemophilia is to promote adequate blood clotting and to prevent and treat complications or problems associated with the disease.  Important nursing implications that you have to know for the NCLEX for patients with hemophilia would include the proper and correct administration of the prescribed Factor VIII concentrate (monoclonal) and recombinant Factor VIII concentrate.

DIC or disseminated intravascular coagulation usually occurs as a complication of diseases and conditions that accelerate clotting.  This accelerate clotting process would then cause the small blood vessels in the body to occlude, there could then be organ necrosis, a depletion of circulating clotting factors and platelets and the activation of the fibrinolytic system which can then in turn, provoke a severe hemorrhaging.

Causes of disseminated intravascular coagulation or DIC would include infection ( which is the most common cause) and disorders that produce necrosis, such as extensive burns and trauma, brain tissue destruction, transplant rejection and hepatic necrosis.

Assessment findings for disseminated intravascular coagulation or DIC includes Abnormal Bleeding: which would be a big a big symptom for the NCLEX.  Other assessment findings includes coma, dyspnea, nausea, oliguria, seizures, severe, muscle, back and abdominal pain, shock and vomiting.

Diagnostic Tests involved with Disseminated intravascular coagulation or DIC would include: Blood tests, which would show prolonged PT greater than 15 seconds, prolonged PTT or greater than 60 to 80 seconds.  Usually the tests would show platelet count that is less than 100,000 ul and a positive d-dimer test specific for DIC.

Treatment for disseminated intravascular coagulation would include bed rest and transfusion therapy which includes: fresh frozen plasma, platelets and packed RBC’s.

Lymphoma can be classified as either a Hodgkin’s Disease or a non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

In a Hodgkin’s disease, the Reed Sternberg cells proliferate in a single lymph node and travel vigorously through the lymphatic system.  In a malignant lymphoma, tumors occur throughout lymph nodes and lymphatic organs in unpredictable patterns.  Malignant lymphoma maybe categorized as: lymphocytic, histiocytic, and mixed cell types.

Main Causes for Lymphoma would include environmental, genetics, immunologic and Viral infections.  Assessment findings for lymphoma that is essential for the NCLEX include: Anorexia and weight loss, coughing, hepatomegaly, malaise and lethargy, night sweats, recurrent infections, pruritis and splenomegaly.

The progress of a Hodgkin’s Disease: Hodgkin’s disease occurs in four stages.

Stage 1: Disease  occurs in a single lymph node regiod or a single extralyphatic organ.

Stage 2: Disease occurs in two or more nodes on same side of diaphragm or in an extralymphatic organ.

Stage 3: Disease spreads to both sides of the diaphragm and perhaps to an extralymphatic organ, the spleen or both.

Stage 4: Disease disseminates

Diagnostic Test Results for Lymphoma

Bone Marrow aspiration and biopsy reveals a small, diffuse lyphocytic or large , follicular type cells.  Lymph node biopsy if positice for Reed Sternberg cells (Hodkin’s Disease).

Treatment: The diet for a patient with lymphoma would have a high protien diet, there would also be radiation therapy and there would be a transfusion of packed RBC’s.  Chemotherapy: Hodgkin’s Disease

Cardiogenic Shock: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart fails to pump adequately, thereby reducing cardiac output and compromising tissue perfusion.  Usually there is a decreased stroke volume that results in increased left ventricular volume.  There would usually be a blood pooling in the left ventricle which would then back up into the lungs causing pulmonary edema.  To then compensate for a falling cardiac output, heart rate and contractility  increases.

Causes of Cardiogenic Shock to know for the NCLEX: includes an advanced Heart Block, Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, Myocardial Infarction, Myocarditis, Papillary  muscle rupture.  Things to know for the NCLEX would include assessment findings for a patient with Cardiogenic Shock, this would include: anxiety, restlessness, cold, clammy skin, crackles in lungs, and Hypotension, and tachycardia.

Septic shock

Septic shock: is usually the result of bacterial infection.  Septic Shock occurs most commonly among hospitalized clients especially men older than age 40 and women ages 25 to 45.  The causes of Septic Shock that you have to know for the NCLEX would include infection with gram negative bacteria.  Usually it includes the E Coli.

Sickle cell anemia is a congenital hematologic disease that causes impaired circulation, chronic ill health, and premature death.  Although it’s most common in tropical Africa and in people of African descent, it also occurs in people that originates from Turkey, Puerto Rico and the Middle East.  With patients with sickle cell anemia, there is usually a change in the gene that encodes the beta chain of hemoglobin results in a defect in the hemoglobin.  Usually what occurs is that the cells becomes rigid and rough.  They would then form an elongated sickle shape that can cause the impairment of circulation within the body.

Usually, infection, stress, dehydration and conditions that can provoke hypoxia such as strenous exercise and high altituted can provoke a sickle cell “crisis”. Crisis can occur in variety of forms, including a painful crisis, aplastic crisis, and an acute sequestration crisis.

Causes of Sickle cell anemia to know for the NCLEX includes: Genetics: Genetic inheritance results from homozygous inheritance of an autosomal recessive gene that produces a defective hemoglobin molecule.

Chest Tubes and pleural drainage are inserted by the provider to remove air and fluid from the intrapleural space to restore the normal negative pressure, allowing the lungs to re-expand.

This describes patient’s with an acute bronchitis who have a resolution of symptoms and that the respiratory status will return to a normal condition.  Chronic bronchitis is classified as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is linked to smoking and has a progressive pattern.  Shortness of breath is initially present only with exertion , and eventually is present at rest.  Patients with chronic bronchitis will usually have acute exacerbations.

Signs and Symptoms that you have to notice for signs and symptoms includes: coughing and SOB or shortness of breath.

Atelectasis maybe something that you might not be reluctant to study for the NCLEX, but just to be on the safe side, it is important to know everything for the NCLEX and be prepared for what the NCLEX exam can ask.  Atelectasis is a respiratory disease in which a portion of the lung does not expand completely, decreasing the lung’s capacity to exchange fases, which results in decreased in oxygenation of the blood.  Obstruction of part of the airway will cause collapse distal to the area that is blocked.  Obstruction in the lungs can be caused from a mucous plug inside the airway from the outside.  During after an operation patients are at risk for atelectasis due to pain, immobility and the pain med that is used.

Some of the signs and symptoms for atelectasis, that is important to know for the NCLEX includes: difficulty breathing, due to lack of expansion of part of the lung.  The patient will also show an increase of respiratory rate or tachypnea, in an attempt to increase available oxygen.  Furthermore, the patient will be tachycardi (heart rate above 100) as the body tries to increase available oxygen.  There can also be some sweating or diaphoresis as a result of the increased in respirations.

Asthma occurs when the airways become obstructed form either inflammation of the lining of the airways or constriction of the bronchial smooth muscles (bronchospasm).  For example, if an allergen such as a pollen is being inhaled causing activation of anitbodies that recognize pollem.  Amst cells and histamine are activated, initiating a local inflammatory response.  Prostaglandins enhance the effect of histamine.

Thrombophlebitis is usually an inflammation of the venous wall, resulting in a clot formation in a patient. The causes for thrombophelebitis includes varies from person to person and can include venous stasis (which can be from varicose veins and pregnancy), hypercoagulability and maybe an injury to the venous wall of the patient.  When we talk about thrombophlebitis, we can assume that their is an obstruction of an enlarged thrombus, which can lead to venous insuffeciency in the patient.

When reviewing for the NCLEX, it is important to know some of the signs and symptoms for a patient who is having thrombophlebitis.  Assessment findings for a person with thrombophlebitis includes superficial veins, the person would usually have a red, warm skin that is tender to touch.  The biggest assessment that could come up during an  NCLEX exam would be that: the patient with thrombophlebitis would have a positive Homan’s sign.

Diagnostic Findings: Tests used to diagnose a patient with thrombophlebitis would be venography, an ultrasound, phlebography and Hematology test which would show an elevation of the WBC.

Medical Management for patients with thrombophlebitis would include proper positioning, which means that the affected extremity has to be elevated.  Proper bed rest and active and passive ROM is necessary for the patient with thrombophlebitis.  Antiembolic stockings can also be used and usually Anticoagulants such as warfarin (coumadin) and heparin are usually used.

Key Nursing Interventions:

Mitral Stenosis

Mitral Stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve opening.  Mitral stenosis is usuallyt caused by rheumatic endocarditis or it can also be congenital.  What happens in a patient with mitral stenosis usually is a thickening and calcification of valvular tissuewithin the heart, therby narrowing the mitral valve opening and limiting blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Assessment Findings:

Usually the signs and symptoms of the patient with mitral stenosis would usually look fatigued, would have a low cardiac output, dyspnea on exertion, the patient with mitral stenosis might also have a right sided heart failure, the patient with mitral stenosis might also have peripheral edema.  Mitral Stenosis can also be caused by an orthopenia and a jugular vein distention

Diagnostic Test Findings:

Diagnostic test finding for patients with mitral stenosis includes a chest x ray, and echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization and an angiography.

Medical Management for patients with mitral stenosis includes a low sodium diet, maybe some oxygen therapy and bedrest.

Antiemetics

Anti-emetic drug is a gastrointestinal drug that helps diminish the sensitivity of the chemoreceptor trigger zone and helps alleviate nausea and vomiting.  Antiemetic drugs can also help to prevent and control emesis and motion sickness.

These Drugs includes: Ondacentrol HCL, Prochloroperazine, dimenhydrinate and Phenergan and also Reglan

When we talk about ICP or an Increased Intracranial Pressure, it basically means an increase of pressure within the brain and the cranium.  An Increased intracranial pressure can results from any alteration that increases tissue or fluid volume within the skull.  The skull is rigid with no flexibility, therefore their is no room for any additional fluid or blood or a space occupying lesion.  This in turn, can cause a high degree and an imbalance amount of pressure pushing into the brain, causing what is known in the NCLEX as ICP or Intracranial Pressure.

The causes of increased ICP or Increased Inracranial Pressure varies.  Some of these causes includes an accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the ventricles.  Also Brain tumors, Central Nervous System Infections, Cerebral Edema and Intracranial Bleeding are factors that can cause ICP or Increased Intracranial Pressure.  For the NCLEX, take not that the client with increased ICP exhibits  specific  signs and symptoms such as blurred vision, changes in cognition, changes in the Level Of Consciousness, there can also be Cheyne Stoke respirations, decerebrate posturing, Diplopia, Headache, Nausea and vomiting (usually a projectile vomiting) and Seizures.

This picture shows brain herniation due to increased intracranial pressure.

Treatment for pts with Increased Intracranial Pressure:
The treatment of client with ICP includes preventing seizures and frequent neurological assessment.  A person with an ICP or Increased inctracranial pressure is at risked for seizures.  We can prevent seizures by administering anticonvulsants to the client.  It is also important to treat nausea and vomiting for a client with increased intracranial pressure, since vomiting can cause more pressure within the cranium.

Note: These Nursing Notes for the NCLEX on Increased Intracranial Pressure, is intended to help both nursing students and nursing graduated, graduate Nursing School and Pass the NCLEX.

I want to talk a little bit about Seizures.  Seizure can be a good topic question for the NCLEX.  Seizures are basically episodes of abnormal motor, sensory or automatic activity that can result from the excessive discharge of the electrical neurons in the brain.  The amount of effect of a seizure on the person having the seizure depends upon the type of seizure the person has.  Other factors that can cause seizures includes brain tumors, hypertension, an abrupt withdrawal of barbiturates, CNS infections and trauma, hyperglycemia and uncontrolled fevers.

Now, lets talk a little bit about the types of seizures.  There are two main types of seizures.  The two types of seizures are tonic-clonic or grand mal seizures, and the second type is the absent or petit-mal seizures.

Tonic Clonic/ Grand Mal

- Tonic-clonic seizure can last for up to 5 minutes.  The signs and symptoms of seizures includes: Chewing of the tongue, Aura prior to the seizure activity, brief episodes of apnea, incontinence and loss of consciousness.  With this type of seizure, their is always a  risk for an injury.  As a nurse caring for the client, always try to assess the signs and symptoms, which would include:  Assessing the client’s behavior and  surrounding prior to the seizure.  Make sure you maintain a patent airway (always remember about the ABS Airway, Breathing and Circulation).  Try to note any loss of consciousness, aura or incontinence.  Always try to provide safety for the client, client safety is the number one priority for a client with seizure.

Absent Seizure or Petit Mal Seizures

When we talk about “absent seizure” or “petit mal seizure”.  This type of seizure is more common in children and adolescents.  During this type of seizure, there is no lose of consciousness, the patient having this seizure does not loose consciousness.  Some of the clinical manifestations and the signs and symptoms for these clients includes: smacking of the lips, twitching of the mouth and a blank stare.

Partial Seizures

Another category of seizures is called partial or focal seizures.  This type of seizure affect one cerebral hemisphere.  We can also further divide  focal seizures into two classifications, the first type is the simple partial seizures and the second one is know as the complex partial seizures.

Treatment Of Client with Seizures

As a nurse, the treatment of clients with seizures concentrates on alleviating the symptoms and providing patient safety.

I am going to first talk about the Signs of Pregnancy

Presumptive Signs:

Presumptive Signs of pregnancy are usually those signs and symptoms that includes presumptive signs are the signs that can lead the client of the woman to believe that she is pregnant.  This so called “speculative” signs includes amenorrhea, Chadwick’s sign, breast sensitivity, fatigue, urinary frequency and weight gain.

Probable Signs

Probable Signs are signs of pregnancy that are more conclusive than presumptive, but are at some point still not very definitive.  In this situation, even though the client believe that she is pregnant, more test and validation needs to be done to be able to determine if the pregnancy really does exist.  The propable signs of pregnancy includes: Ballotment, Chadwick’s Sign, Goodell’s Sign, Hegar’s Sign, signs of uterine elargement and a positive pregnancy test.

There are many several diagnostic tests and procedures that is done with a patient with a suspected Respiratory Disease.  This diagnostic tests and procedures includes Bronchoscopy, Chest X Ray, Pulmonmary Angiography, Sputum Studies, Thoracentesis, Pulmonary Funtion Tests, ABG’s, Lung Scan, Mantoux Intradermal skin Test, Laryngoscopy, Lung Biopsy and Hematological Studies.  I know that these seems like a lot of diagnostic exams and procuderes but once you understand the concept behing each test and procedure, it deffinitely helps you in being able to understand more thoroughly the diagnosing and treatment of diseases.

Bronchoscopy:

Bronchoscopy is basically a procedure in which a bronchoscope is used for direct visualization of the trachea and the bornchial tree.  A bronchoscopy allows a physician to take a biopsy and performa a deep tracheal suctioning.

Nursing Interventions before a bronchocopy procedure includes having the patient on NPO or witholding any foods and liquids.  The patient would also be a little anxious prior to the procdure, so it would help a lot to calm the patient and alleviate any anxiety.  You as the nurse can do this by explaining to the patient the procedure and what to expect after the procdure.

After the procedure, Nursing interventions would include checking for the return of the cough and the gag reflex, this is very vital and important because it helps decrease the risk for aspiration.  Obviously it also very important to check for the persons respirtatory status.  Withhold any foods and liquids, until gag reflex is returned.

Chesy X Ray

Chest X Ray is a non invasive examination and shoes a radiographic picture of the lungs.  Prior to the procedure make sure to remove the patients jewelries.  It is also very important to determine any pregnancy status in female patients.

Pulmonary Angiography

Pulmonary Angiography is a procedure in which it involves using an injection of radiopaque dye through a catheter.  Prior to the procedure, it is very important to note for patient’s allergies to iodine, seafood and radiopaque dyes.  You can also educate the patients about the possible flushing or buring in the face and throat once the dye is being injected.

Sputum Studies

Sputum studies can also be done and intrepreted in the laboratory.  Microscopic evaluation of the sputum can include culture and sensitivity, gram stain, and acid-fast bacillus.

Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is a procedure in which the phsyician would use a needle in the aspiration of itrapleural fluid under a local anesthesia.  Before the procdure, explaine to the patient the purpose and the basics of the procedure.  Make sure to place the patient in the proper position, which would be slighly lying on the side or partially on the back.  Right after the procdure it is very important to assess the patient’s respiratory status and auscultate the lungs to assess for pneumothorax.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT’s)

This test is noninvasice.  It basically measure the lung volume, ventilation and diffusing capacity iof the lungs.  It is important to document any use of bronchodilators or narcotics before the test.

Laryngoscopy

Laryngoscopy is a procedure the uses a laryngoscope.  It uses a direct visualization of the larynx.  Nursing intervention prior to this procedure includes having the patient in NPO and witholding food and fluids for 6-8 hours before the test.  It is also important to explain to the patient that he/she will be recieving a sedative to promote relaxation.  After the procedure, assess the patient’s respiratory status and withold food and fluids until the patient’s gag reflex returns.

I know I have had several posts about various disease in relation to the GI System beforehand.  But I want to do a quick review about theses diseases in this post.  This gastrointestinal diseases includes: Hiatial Hernia,  Peptic Ulcer, Gastric Cancer, Ulcerative Colitis, Chron’s Disease, Diverticulitis, Peritonitis, Hemorrhoids and Colorectal Cancer.

Hiatial Hernia

Hiatial Hernia is a protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity.  Within the stomach, the opening or the (hiatus) in the the diaphragm where the esophagus enters the stomach suddenly become enlarged and weakened.

Hiatial Hernia

Causes for this includes: congenital weakness, obesity, pregnancy, trauma, increased abdominal pressure and aging.  What is really going on when a patient has a hiatial hernia or what is also called as an esophageal hernia is that the the opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm where the esophagus enters the stomach, becomes enlarged and weakened.  Hiatial Hernia occurs when the sliding of the esophagus and stomach into the chest results in a gastric acid reflux.

Assessment Findings includes:

Pyrosis, dysphagia, regurgitation, sternal pain after eating, vomiting, feeling of fullness, dyspnea and cough

Peptic Ulcers

Peptic Ulcers are erosions in the mucosal linings of the stomach.  Some of the causes of Peptic Ulcers are smoking (big factor in a lot of diseases), stress, gastritis, alcohol abuse and also the infection of H pylori or the Helicobacter pylori. When a person has peptic ulcer

Gastric Cancer

Gastric Cancer is a malignant stomach tumor that can either be primary or metastatic.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative Colitis in inflammatory disorder of the large bowel.  Ulcerative Colitis is usually caused by emotional stress, genetics, allergies and viral and bacterial infections.

Chron’s  Disease (Regional Enteritis)

Anticonvulsants are the drugs tha inhibit seizure activity by promoting sodium outflow from the neurons, thereby it depressses the abnormal neuronal stimulation and discharge, caused by the convulsing.  These drugs are specifically used to treat tonic-clonit (grand mal) seizures, status epilepticus and complex partial seizures.  Phyenytoin (anticonvulsant) is used to treat arrythmias and painful conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia.

What are CNS Stimulants

- CNS Stimulants increase the neurotransmitter levels in the CNS, either by increasing neuronal discharge or by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter, causing CNS and respiratory stimulation, pupil dilation, increased motor activity and heightened mental alertness,

These drugs are usually absorbed in the GI tract after an oral medication.  This drug is metabolized by the liver and excreted in the urine through the kidneys.

Stimulants (also called psychostimulants) are psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. Examples of these kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others. Due to their effects typically having an “up” quality to them, stimulants are also occasionally referred to as “uppers”. Depressants or “downers”, which decrease mental and/or physical function, are in stark contrast to stimulants and are considered to be their functional opposites. Stimulants are widely used throughout the world as prescription medicines and as illicit substances of recreational use or abuse.
Stimulants (Analeptics) produce a variety of different kinds of effects by enhancing the activity of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Common effects, which vary depending on the substance in question, may include enhanced alertness, awareness, wakefulness, endurance, productivity, and motivation, increased arousal, locomotion, heart rate, and blood pressure, and the perception of a diminished requirement for food and sleep. Many stimulants are also capable of improving mood and relieving anxiety, and some can even induce feelings of euphoria.

It should be noted, however, that many of these drugs are also capable of causing anxiety and heart failure, even the ones that may paradoxically reduce it to a degree at the same time. Stimulants exert their effects through a number of different pharmacological mechanisms, the most prominent of which include facilitation of norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and/or dopamine activity.

(Here was the original price of just the NCLEX Quick-E itself, not including the NCLEX 26)

This website is a compilation of notes from the effort of several friends and fellow Nursing Graduates that were very kind enough to contribute information and essential knowledge into this website.  If you have any comment or issues, just please leave a comment on the right hand side, and I will promise to get to your request or comment as soon as possible.  We also want to gather more essential information, so if you think that you can contribute any helpful information to this site please do not hessitate to let me know.

OUR GOAL: To help everyone in Nursing School and Nursing Graduates, taking the NCLEX: Achieve Success

We are getting a heavy load of daily traffic in this website (between 15-20,000) hits a day.  I am very proud and humbled by all this traffic and everyone visiting and acknowledging this website, after all, I only want to help everyone.  Unfortunately, the cost of hosting this website has also gone up, therefore I would ask everyone for their help.  Through the help of many friends and colleagues, I am able to put together an NCLEX review course, for nursing graduates who are taking the NCLEX.  This review course can also be used by Nursing Students in getting through and passing Nursing School.

I do not feel that it right for allnursingnotes to sell or put a price on this product, so we are giving the course for $26.99 as a donation.

Here is a  quick comparison of the NCLEX Quick E, compared with the other courses online…

(Here was the original price of just the NCLEX Quick-E itself, not including the NCLEX 26)

So you want to know where the money goes from the sales of the Quick E Course.  Here it is:

Going through Nursing School was one of the toughest days of my life, but yet I survived and so did thousands of Nursing Students every year in this country and throughout the world.  If they can survive it, then their is no reason for you to not be able to graduate and pass Nursing School.  It takes time, effort and dedication to be successful in anything in life.  Same goes with Nursing School.  It takes a lot of drive and motivation to get through the ups and downs in nursing School, but with a little determination and a lot of “heart,” a person will be able to tackle and pass Nursing School.

 I guarantee it.

Hemophilia has been one of those disease that can really affect a person and the family of that person.  When we talk about hemophilia, we are talking about a disorder in which there is an abnormal clotting pattern that occur in the person.  This can often result in an ineffective clot.  Hemophilia has been considered a sex-linked disorder.

Blood clotting factors are substances in the blood that help form a clot. When one or more of these clotting factors are missing, there is a higher chance of bleeding.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS: is caused by a coronovirus.

The symptoms associated with SARS includes:

• Fever,
• dry
• cough
• hypoxemia
• pneumonia.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious form of pneumonia, caused by a virus isolated in 2003. Infection with the SARS virus results in acute respiratory distress (severe breathing diffculty) and sometimes death. It is a dramatic example of how quickly world travel can spread a disease. It is also an example of how quickly a networked health system can respond to an emerging threat

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease occurs when prolonged disease or injury has made the lungs less capable of meeting the body’s oxygen needs.  COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.

Chronic Bronchitis: When we talk about bronchitis, we are talking about an inflammation of the bronchi, that can lead to chronic lung infections.  These infections are characterized by productive cough and dyspnea.

Emphysema

Emphysema is the irreversable overdistention of the airspaces of the lungs which results in destruction of the alveolar walls.  Clients with emphysema are also called “pink puffer” or “blue bloaters”

Asthma

Asthma is the most common respiratory condition of childhood.  Intrinsic asthma is precipitated by exposure to cold temperatures or infection.  Extrinsic asthma is often associated with childhood eczema.

get more information…

Tuberculosis is one of the major respiratory diseases that have plague mankind for years.  Tuberculosis is basically an infection in the lungs that is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an acid fast bacterium, which is transmitted by inhalation of droplets.  Tuberculosis is a big topic in the NCLEX Exam.   Recently, it has been reported that, “Infection Control” is a big in the NCLEX.  And Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases nationwide and worldwide.

Acute Respiratory Failure

Acute Respiratory Failure is a definite big topic in the NCEX.  We can define acute respiratory failure as the lungs’ failure to meet with the body’s oxygen requirements.  One of the biggest acute respiratory condition that you have to be familiar with would be ARDS or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Clinical Symptoms in patients would include: Restlessness, anxiety and dyspnea.  While objective finding would include tachycardia, grunting respirations, intercostal retractions and cyanosis.

Interventions for patient with ARDS would include, relieving the underlying cause, Mechanical Ventilation with positive end respiratory pressure or PEEP.  What PEEP does is that, this setting on a mechanical ventilator maintains a positive pressure within the lungs at the end of expiration, this in turn would increase the residual capacity of the lungs, therefore reducing hypoxia.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

This disease is usually common in men over the age of 50 yrs old.  Enlargement of the prostate can usually obstruct the vessels and some of the vesicles in the urethra leading to incomplete emptying of the bladder.

What occurs in BPH, is that the prostate gland grows in size. It may compress the urethra which courses through the center of the prostate. This can impede the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra to the outside. It can cause urine to back up in the bladder (retention) leading to the need to urinate frequently during the day and night. Other common symptoms include a slow flow of urine, the need to urinate urgently and difficulty starting the urinary stream. More serious problems include urinary tract infections and complete blockage of the urethra, which may be a medical emergency and can lead injury to the kidneys.

I know that a lot of people have heard of this UTI thing before.  Either you or your loved one or a close friend has experience at least one time in their lifetime.  Urinary Tract Infectios are caused by pathologic microorganisms of the urinary tract.  UTI is one of the most predominent nosocomial infections or hospital acquired infections.

Basicall, a urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections have different names, depending on what part of the urinary tract is infected.

• Bladder — an infection in the bladder is also called cystitis or a bladder infection
• Kidneys — an infection of one or both kidneys is called pyelonephritis or a kidney infection
• Ureters — the tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder are only rarely the site of infection
• Urethra — an infection of the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is called urethriti

Causes

Urinary Calculi

Urinary Calculi is also called urilothiasis or kidney stones, and it can results from anything from immobility, cancer, increased intake of Vitamin D, or an overactivity of the Parathyroid gland.  Kidney stones are commonly made up of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus or oxalate.

Symptoms associated with kidney stones includes: Flank pain, fever, nausea and vomiting and changes in the urinary output.

Diagnostic tests for urinary calculi would include x-ray, blood tests and a 24 hour urine test.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic Syndrome is usually caused by glomerulonephritis, a systemic illness or an acute allergic response.  Diagnosis is usually based upon a client’s symptoms, other renal function tests and 24 hour creatine clearance tests.

Some of the symptoms that is experienced with nephrotic syndrome includes: marked protienuria, generalized edema, hypoalbuminuria and hypercholesterolemia.

Management for a client with Nephrotic Syndrome includes: bedrest, prevention of skin breakdown, daily weights and a strict input and output.

I know that going through Nursing School is a tough and a long journey, but making this a passion in your life would make the journey much more easier.  Everything in life is easier if you enjoy and love what it is you are doing.  There is just no secret behind it.  I believe that in order to be successful in Nursing School or in any school at that matter, it is very important to immerse yourself with the topic an subject.  Passion is important because it makes everything way easier, if the passion is there.  Passion is definitely a necessary and important ingredient in passing and going through Nursing School.

Ace Inhibitors

Angiotensin Converting Enzymes or Ace Inhibitors, work by inhibiting convertion of angiotensin 1 into angiotensin 2.

Examples of this drug includes

• Lisinopril
• Catopril
• Enalapril
• Fosinopril.

Reload Page if video does not function.

NCLEX 26 is now available to the public.

If you want more info regarding the course please email: allnursingnotes@gmail.com

What you would get in the bundle…

Now Only $15

End Stage Renal Disease is something  we always have to know especially in the NCLEX exams.  End Stage Renal Disease or ESRD is a progressive deterioration of the renal function, in which the kidneys are not able to function normally

A patient having the End Stage Renal Disease would usually need to have some kind of dialysis eventually in his/her lifetime.  And this dialysis could either be a peritoneal dialysis or a Hemodialysis.

Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the capillary loops in the glumeruli in the kidneys.  The causes for glumerulonephritis is usually related to SLE or systemic lupus erythematous and a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection.

Assessment includes:

• bradycardia
• pharyngitis
• tonsilitis
• lethargy
• anorexia
• hypertension
• dyspnea
• vision disturbances
• seizures

Diagnostic Test Findings for patient with glomerulonephritis would usually include a urine chemistry and blood chemistry

Pyelonephritis

Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the renal pelvis.