Do You Know These Things That Nurses Should Know?

Auscultation refers to the act of listening to the heart, lungs, or another organ in the body. Most of the time, the medical professional will use a stethoscope to listen to the organ.

AC stands for "ante cibum," which translates roughly to "before the food" in Latin. Many medications should not be taken on a full stomach, which makes "AC" a common note on prescriptions.

The retina is the layer at the back of the eye that contains light-sensitive cells. These cells trigger nerve impulses to the brain, which, in turn, form an image. Wow!

For possessing such a long name, the sphygmomanometer is a very common and recognizable tool in healthcare settings. Connected to a mercury tube, the device's rubber cuff slips around the patient's arm and measures systolic and diastolic blood pressure with a graduated scale.

A microdrop is a very, very small droplet of medication: about .1 to .01 of a drop. This will typically be abbreviated as gtt., which stems from the Latin word "guttae," or drop. There are roughly 60 microdrops in 1 mL of medication.

Anticancer treatments, amorphine, and opioid-based pain medications are often considered emetogenic, which means they may induce nausea and vomiting. The benefits of these treatments are considered to outweigh the side effects.

The dorsal recumbent position offers the medical professional optimal access to observing the head, neck, throat, abdomen, and other parts of the body. It may be used in situations ranging from giving birth to abdominal surgery to IV lines.

Stemming from the Latin word for loin, lumbar refers to the lower part of the spine or the area of the body between the lower ribs and pelvis. The five lumbar vertebrae in the spine are particularly strong and mobile.

A subcutaneous injection involves administering medication between the skin and the muscle with a short needle. It's much easier than an intravenous injection, which involves inserting the medication directly into the vein with an IV catheter.

Peripheral neuropathy often causes numbness, weakness, and pain in the body, especially the hands and feet. It is often caused by diabetes, traumatic injuries, inherited conditions, infections, and toxin exposure.

PRN is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase "pro re nata," which essentially translates to "as needed." If you see this on a patient's chart, it means "as needed" or "when necessary."

While average human body temperature is about 98.6°F, many medical experts agree that a relatively normal temperature may lie anywhere from 97°F to 99°F. A reading over 100.4°F typically signals the presence of a fever.

Every nurse knows the importance of positioning a patient in bed properly. The right position can help prevent pressure ulcers, contractures, other issues. Fowler's position is a common way to promote patient comfort and ease of care.

Contractures often occur due to one's inability to move a certain area of the body, which can lead to deformity. While physical inactivity is the most common cause of contractures, conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to the condition.

Acute conditions may consist of anything from broken bones to strep throat, and often refers to those which require urgent care. These conditions are short-term in nature in contrast with chronic conditions, which are long-lasting.

Aphasia is a communication disorder that inhibits someone's ability to speak properly or process what others are saying. This often occurs due to head trauma or a stroke. Although it significantly impacts language ability, it does not impact one's mental intelligence.

Red blood cells transport respiratory gases, which include oxygen and carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, white blood cells help combat foreign organisms and fend off infection. Have you thanked your blood cells today?

Melanin refers to the brown to black pigment that occurs in the skin, hair, and eyes of mammals. In general, those with more melanin possess a lower risk of skin cancer.

The right atrium of the heart receives deoxygenated blood through circulation; afterward, it sends the blood to the lungs to obtain oxygen. Next, the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs before sending it to the aorta.

Neonatal nurses specialize in the care of newborns, particularly those born prematurely or with conditions like birth defects, infection, and cardiac malformations. These nurses generally care for the babies from the time of birth until their discharge.

The heart contains two atria and two ventricles. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body, which it then transports to the right ventricle. Then, the right ventricle pumps it to the lungs. Finally, the left atrium receives it from the lungs and transports it to the left ventricle.

Human chorionic gonadotropin is the hormone that produces positive pregnancy test results, since it is the only hormone produced solely by pregnancy. It is produced from the developing placenta.

Stat stems from the Latin word statim, which means "immediately" or "instantly." You will typically hear a medical professional shout this out during emergency situations, when there is simply no time to spare.

Often abbreviated as BT, BP, HR, and RR, checking the four core vital signs means assessing a patient's body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. While "normal" ranges vary for each individual, medical professionals can learn a lot about a person's state through these diagnostic tests.

Nurses are expected to write instructions as simply and concisely as possible for elderly patients. They should avoid using medical jargon and write at a fifth grade reading level.

Pursed-lip breathing is a tactic designed to improve air ventilation by keeping small airways in the lungs open. While emphysema causes shortness of breath, this method can help combat it through controlled movements.

From ages about 12 to 18, adolescents develop a sense of independence and self. Their social relationships with their peers are particularly important and visits from them should be encouraged in order to promote healthy development.

Since diabetics possess a heightened risk of fungal infections, they must dry their feet thoroughly after each shower. They should also inspect their feet daily to ensure there are no signs of cuts, injury, or infection.

School-age children between ages 6 and 12 possess a lower metabolic rate than toddlers or adolescents, who grow more rapidly. While school-age children are definitely still growing, they only need to consume what's necessary to sustain their growth.

With age, the lens of the eye may yellow, which can make it harder to discern the colors blue and green. In addition, colors with shorter wavelength (including blue and green) are generally more challenging to distinguish than colors like red and orange.

Children with cystic fibrosis, a condition characterized by an ongoing infection of the lungs, need a high calorie, high protein diet in order to maintain a healthy weight. The doctor might also suggest pancreatic enzyme replacement or supplemental feedings.

Leafy vegetables and greens, like spinach, kale, and broccoli, are excellent sources of folic acid. Consuming adequate levels of folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy.

By about 2 years of age, toddlers should be able to use a cup, even if they spill a little. They should also be able to use a spoon. If a nurse notices that the child cannot, further assessment is necessary.

All patients deserve confidentiality and privacy, including adolescents. To establish a trusting relationship, the nurse should request that the parent leave the room before asking questions about health history. The nurse should also inform that patient that her responses are completely confidential.

Scoliosis is a condition that refers to a lateral spinal curvature. Since it tends to develop over time, children should be screened between ages 9 and 15. School-age girls are particularly at risk of developing scoliosis.