Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Medicine & Health

Diabetes Mellitus Essentials

• Type 1: Autoimmune, insulin-dependent, early onset.
• Type 2: Insulin resistance, gradual onset, linked to diet/weight.
• Diagnosis: Fasting glucose >126 mg/dL, HbA1c.
• Metformin: Hold before contrast dye; risk of lactic acidosis.

Hypoglycemia vs. Hyperglycemia

• Hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL): Shaky, sweaty, confused, hungry.
• Hyperglycemia: Headache, nausea, fruity breath.
• Treatment: Juice/glucose if conscious; glucagon or D50 if unconscious.

Insulin Types and Administration

• Rapid-acting (Lispro): Onset 10–15 min, eat immediately after injection.
• Short-acting (Regular): Onset 30–60 min.
• Intermediate-acting (NPH): Peak 4–12 hr (cloudy appearance).
• Long-acting (Glargine): No peak, lasts 24 hr.
• Mixing Insulin: Clear (Regular) before

Diuretics (Water Pills)

Diuretics, also known as water pills, are medications that help your body get rid of excess fluid by increasing urine production. They are commonly used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and edema (swelling caused by fluid retention).

Types of Diuretics

1. Thiazide Diuretics: These are often used to treat high blood pressure. Examples include hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone.
2. Loop Diuretics: These are used to treat edema and heart failure. Examples include furosemide (Lasix) and bumetanide.
3. Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: These help the body get rid of water without losing potassium. Examples include spironolactone and amiloride.

How Diuretics Work

Diuretics work on different parts of the kidneys... Continue reading "Essential Pharmacology: Drug Classes, Mechanisms, and SAR" »

Anemia Classifications and Management

• Iron Deficiency: Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath (SOB), chest pain (CP), and brittle hair/nails.
• Pernicious Anemia: Caused by autoimmune destruction or gastric surgery, leading to B12 malabsorption and decreased RBCs.
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Essential for RBC production.
• Folic Acid Deficiency: Lack of folate prevents RBC production. Determine the cause of anemia before administering folic acid; if heavy periods are present, consult an OBGYN.
• Sickle Cell Anemia: Characterized by abnormal hemoglobin and rigid, sickle-shaped RBCs. Causes severe pain (vaso-occlusion), swollen hands/feet, and poor wound healing.

Iron Supplementation Protocols

• Take iron with Vitamin C; avoid milk or antacids.
• Use Z-track

Documentation and Physician Orders

Recall and Documentation: When giving a report, include the patient's condition, changes within the last 24 hours, abnormal laboratory results, recent vital signs, medications, new orders, and tasks for the next shift.

Transcribing Physician Orders: Ensure the inclusion of the date, time, signature, and accuracy. Verbal Orders: These are permitted only in emergencies. You must read back the order to the physician. It must be signed later, typically within 24 hours.

Heparin Administration and Monitoring

Action: Heparin blocks the conversion of fibrins and acts as an anticoagulant to prevent blood clot formation; it prolongs clotting time. It can be administered as a bolus or via IV. The minimum bolus rate is 25... Continue reading "Essential Nursing Procedures and Clinical Documentation" »

Anti-Motility Medications (Pharmacy Only)

These medications work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the intestinal wall, reducing bowel movements.

Loperamide + Co-phenotrope (Dhamotil)

Loperamide

• Indication: Symptomatic relief of acute or chronic diarrhea.
• Dose: Maximum 16mg daily. Limit use to less than 48 hours.
• Side Effects: Constipation, nausea, vomiting, bloating.
• Special Precautions (SPC):
  • Stop taking once diarrhea resolves (constipation may occur).
  • Take with food.

Co-phenotrope

• Indication: Acute diarrhea in adults.
• Dose: Maximum 8 tablets daily.
• Contraindications: Not for children under 12 years old.
• Special Precautions (SPC): May cause dizziness and drowsiness; do not drive or operate machinery.

Adsorbent Medications (General Sales List)

Adsorbents... Continue reading "Effective Diarrhea Relief: Medications and Management" »

Common Medications and Memory Tricks

Common Medical Abbreviations

• RSI: Repetitive Stress Injury
• SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder
• SIDS: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
• GP: General Practitioner
• HAV: Hepatitis A Virus
• MD: Medical Doctor

Medications and Treatments

• Decongestant: Decreases nasal stuffiness and relieves a runny nose.
• Anticoagulant: Prevents or delays blood clotting.
• Sedative: Relieves symptoms of stress, irritability, or excitement.
• Laxative: Relieves constipation.
• Digitalis: Strengthens the failing heart.
• Diuretic: Removes excess fluid from the body.
• Antibiotic: Treats infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.
• Insulin: Regulates the level of sugar in the blood, used to treat diabetes.

Common Symptoms and Their Causes

• Fainting, dizziness: Anemia
• Headache: Sinus infection
• Fever:

CNO Principles: Authority, valid order, therapeutic relationship, appropriate scope, Do NOT perform if unclear orders. Competence: Know drug, assess client, educate patient, know limits. Nurse must ensure knowledge, skill, judgement. Safety: Prevent errors, monitor effects, report adverse reactions, ensure storage security. Nurse must act to min harm from errors/reactions. Scope Of Practice: Definition; Nursing=promote health, care, treatment. RPNRN Controlled acts; Injections, INH meds, procedures below dermis, inserting instruments, dispensing drugs. Authorizing mechanisms: Need a order, directive, delegation. Working w/UPC: Teaching, Delegation, Assigning, Supervising. Accountability; Assess client, risk, verify competence, supervise.... Continue reading "Pharm" »

Human Anatomy: English-Spanish Vocabulary

• Mouth / Boca
• Knee / Rodilla
• Ears / Orejas
• Lower Arm / Forearm / Antebrazo
• Breast / Pecho
• Eyes / Ojos
• Ankle / Tobillo
• Elbow / Codo
• Waist / Cintura
• Face / Cara
• Calf / Gemelos
• Fingers / Dedos
• Thorax / Chest / Pecho
• Lips / Labios
• Heel / Talón
• Upper Arm / Arm / Brazo
• Nose / Nariz
• Eyebrows / Cejas
• Navel / Umbilicus / Ombligo
• Eyelids / Párpados
• Abdomen / Abdomen
• Forehead / Frente
• Thigh / Muslo
• Hand / Mano
• Back / Espalda
• Cheek / Mejilla
• Toe / Dedo del pie
• Eyelashes / Pestañas
• Leg / Pierna
• Foot / Pie
• Mandible / Jaw / Mandíbula

Medical Symptoms and Signs: English-Spanish

• Fatigue (Symptom) / Fatiga
• Fever (Sign) / Fiebre
• High Blood Pressure (Sign) / Presión Arterial Alta
• Skin Rash (Sign) / Erupción Cutánea
• Lump (Sign) / Bulto
• Color (Sign) /

Classification of Antifungal Drugs

Dose:

• For adults: 1 to 2 grams given every 8 hours (as directed by the healthcare provider).
• For children: 25 to 50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, divided into 3 or 4 doses (as directed by the healthcare provider).

Indications:

• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Respiratory tract infections
• Bone and joint infections
• Endocarditis

Contraindications:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion

Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics derived from Streptomyces bacteria. Amikin (amikacin) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections.

Classification of Aminoglycosides

1. Systemic: Streptomycin, Amikacin, Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Netilmicin, Tobramycin, Sisomicin.
2. Topical: