Essentials Study Guide
GI - 11 questions
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Systematic approach to GI assessment
History
Inspection
Auscultation
Palpation
Laboratory studies
Diagnostic Procedures
Abnormal Findings: (Signs and Symptoms with Interventions)
o Gastritis
o Peptic Ulcer Disease
o Gastroenteritis
o Perforated Ulcer
o Inflammatory Bowel Disease
o Bowel Obstruction
o Peritonitis
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GI bleeding: pathophysiology, etiology, assessment findings & clinical
management of the following:
o Upper GI Bleeding
 Peptic Ulcer Disease
 Stress Related Erosion
 Varices
 Other Causes
 Mallory Weiss Tear
 Neoplasm
o Lower GI Bleeding
 Diverticulosis
 Angiodysplasia
 Other Causes
 Neoplasms
 Hemorrhoids
 Inflammatory Bowel Disease
 Bowel Infarction
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Pathophysiology, etiology, assessment findings and clinical management of the
following:
o Pancreatitis
o Hepatic failure
o Bowel Obstruction
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Nutrition
o Nutritional Assessment: Components of
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o Enteral versus parenteral : advantages and disadvantages
o Considerations for specific patient populations
 Pulmonary Disease
 Cardiovascular Alterations
 Neurologic Alterations
 GI Alterations
 Endocrine Alterations
 Hepatic Disease
 Renal Dysfunction
 Patients in a hyper-metabolic state
Cardiovascular - 21 questions
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Identify normal and abnormal vascular assessment findings
Signs & Symptoms of Carotid artery occlusion
Signs & Symptoms and treatment of LV Failure
Presentation and treatment of acute MI
Cardiac enzymes
Unstable angina presentation and treatment
Post op care – AAA repair
Vascular interventions- why meds given or procedures done
HF – effects/treatment
Aortic dissection – signs & symptoms & Management
Meds
o Ace inhibitor
o Beta Blockers
o Cardiac gtts
o Anticoagulants
Renal – 9 Questions
Topics to Study –
 Hemodialysis / CRRT – candidates for/complications of
 Causes of pre-renal / intra-renal / post-renal failure and interventions
 Expected ABG results in renal failure
 Hyperkalemia and EKG changes
 A-V fistula assessment and care
 Normal hourly output 0.5ml/kg/hr
 Assessment findings for fluid retention / dehydration
 Assessment for optimal renal perfusion
DIC 3 questions
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Expected Laboratory tests results
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o APTT, PT, fibrinogen, PLTs
Nursing interventions
o Assessment findings for DIC and interventions
Endocrine 7 questions
Topics to Study
 Hyperosmotic Hyperglycemic State (HHS) / Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
o Etiology
o precipitating factors
o clinical assessment
o medical management and treatment
o laboratory blood findings & electrolyte imbalances
 Diabetes Insipidus (DI) / syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH):
o clinical assessment findings
o laboratory values
 Hyper/hypothyroidism
o lab values
o medication treatment and management
Neuro 15 questions
Topics to Study:
 Increased intracranial pressure
o Cushing’s triad: early and late signs & symptoms
o nursing interventions
 Stroke (embolic/hemorrhagic):
o early and late signs & symptoms
o interventions
o criteria/care for fibrolytic therapy,
 Cerebral aneurysm/bleeds/vasospasm:
o subdural, intracranial
o subarachnoid – S/S, causes, treatments
 Spinal cord injury:
o Assessment findings types/levels
 Neurogenic shock – assessment and vital sign findings
o Acute phase vs. chronic phase, nursing interventions
 Autonomic dysreflexia cause/treatment
 Seizures: status epilepticus treatment/intervention
 Skull fractures: basilar, signs/symptoms, interventions
Respiratory-21 Questions
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Topics to Study:
 Breath Sounds
 ABG Interpretation (including compensation)
 Differentiating the clinical presentation between hypoxia/hypercapnia/acidosis
 Findings of tissue hypoxia
 Interventions or hypoxia
 Factors contributing to inaccurate Sa02
 Causes of ARF and ALI
 Characteristic finding in ALI/ARDS
 Differentiating between patients appropriate for NIV or MV
 Confirming ET tube placement
 Causes/responding to low and high pressure vent alarms
 Effects of NMB agents
 Signs and symptoms of intolerance to weaning
 Post extubation assessment
 Key components of vent bundle
 CMS Pneumonia Core Measures
 Differentiate clinical presentation of AMI, PE and pulmonary edema
Shock – 13 Questions
Topics to Study:
 Primary Goal for management of all shock states
 Compensatory Stage of shock
 Progressive Stage of shock
 Hypovolemic Shock:
o Clinical Management
 Cardiogenic Shock:
o Clinical Presentation
o Clinical Management
 Types of Distributive Shock
 Neurogenic Shock:
o Clinical Presentation
 Anaphylactic Shock:
o Clinical Management
 Septic Shock:
o Risk factors for sepsis development
o Clinical Presentation of early septic shock
o Clinical Management
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