Ace Your Respiratory System Classes and Exams with Picmonic: #1 Visual Mnemonic Study Tool for Registered Nurse (RN) Students
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Respiratory System | Registered Nurse (RN) School Study Aid
Hypoxia (Early Symptoms)
- Diaphoresis
- Restlessness
- Tachypnea
- Dyspnea on Exertion
- Tachycardia
- Hypertension
- Arrhythmias
- Decreased Urine Output
- Unexplained Fatigue
1 min
Hypoxia (Late Symptoms)
- Cyanosis
- Cool, Clammy Skin
- Use of Accessory Muscles
- Retractions
- Hypotension
- Arrhythmias
2 mins
COPD Overview (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overview)
- Causes
- Inhaled Toxins
- Smoking
- AAT Deficiency
- Assessment
- Emphysema
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Considerations
- Spirometry
- Slow Progression
2 mins
Asthma Assessment
- Assessment
- Triggers (Cold air, Dander, Dust, Infection, Mold, Pollen, Smoke)
- Shortness of Breath (SOB)
- Tachypnea and Tachycardia
- Wheezing
- Diaphoresis
- Accessory Muscles
- Decreased Pulmonary Function Tests
2 mins
Asthma Implementation and Education
- Medication
- Oxygen
- Corticosteroids
- Ipratropium (Anticholinergic)
- Albuterol
- Implementation
- Inhaler/nebulizer
- Pulse Oximetry
- Pursed Lip Breathing
- Education
- Carry Inhaler
- Rinse Mouth after Inhaler
- Identify Trigger (Cold Air, Dander, Dust, Infection, Mold, Pollen, Smoke)
2 mins
Restrictive vs. Obstructive Lung Diseases
- Restrictive Lung Disease
- Decreased Lung Volume
- FEV1/FVC Ratio Normal to Increased
- Obstructive Lung Disease
- Increased Lung Volume
- Decreased FEV1/FVC Ratio
2 mins
Chronic Bronchitis Assessment
- Clinical Findings
- Chronic Productive Cough
- > 3 Months for 2 Years
- Increased Mucus Production
- Dyspnea
- Cyanosis
- Wheezes
- Complications
- Right Side Heart Failure
- Jugular Venous Distention (JVD)
- Peripheral Edema
2 mins
Chronic Bronchitis Interventions
- Tripod Position
- Humidified Oxygen
- Pursed Lip Breathing
- Increase Fluid Intake
- ABGs
- Early Detection of Exacerbation
- Considerations
- Lowest O2 Therapy
- Assisted Ventilation
- Increased Infection Risk
2 mins
Emphysema
- Mechanism
- Hyperinflation and Loss of Elasticity
- Assessment
- Pursed Lip Breathing
- Barrel Chest
- Dyspnea on Exertion
- Clubbing
- Depression and Anxiety
- Thin Appearance
- Nursing Considerations
- CO2 Retention
- Low Concentration of O2
- High Fowler's Position
- High Calorie, High Protein Diet
2 mins
Pneumonia Assessment
- Risk Factors
- Older Adult
- Immunocompromised
- Long Term Care
- Assessment
- Shortness of Breath (SOB)
- Hypoxemia
- Cough and Sputum Production
- Wheezing or Crackles
- Fever
- Pleuritic Pain
- Diagnosis
- Chest X-ray
2 mins
Pneumonia Interventions
- Non-pharmacologic
- Humidified Oxygen
- Deep Breathing Exercises
- Position of Comfort
- Increase Fluid Intake
- Manage Fever
- Pharmacologic
- Antibiotics
- Mucolytics
- Expectorants
- Considerations
- Pneumococcal Vaccine
- Sepsis
- Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF)
- Prevention Education
2 mins
Tuberculosis Assessment
- Etiology
- Airborne Droplet
- Assessment
- 3 Week Productive Cough
- Night Sweats
- Chest Pain
- Fever
- Weight Loss
- Fatigue
- Diagnosis
- Chest X-Ray
- Blood Tests
- Mantoux Skin Test
- 3 Positive Sputum Tests
1 min
Tuberculosis Intervention
- Hospital Care
- Airborne Isolation
- Drug Therapy
- Combination Drug Therapy (RIPE)
- 6-12 Months
- Considerations
- DOT
- BCG Vaccination
- Medication Education
- 3 Negative Sputum Specimens
- Infection Control
2 mins
Cystic Fibrosis Assessment
- Thickened Mucus
- Recurrent Pulmonary Infections
- Pulmonary Congestion
- Pancreatic Insufficiency
- Steatorrhea
- Fat-Soluble Vitamin Deficiencies
- Salty Taste to Skin
- Meconium Ileus
- Delayed Growth and Poor Weight Gain
2 mins
Cystic Fibrosis Interventions
- Bronchodilators
- N-Acetylcysteine (Mucolytics)
- Inhaled Hypertonic Saline
- Early Antibiotics
- Dornase Alfa (Mucolytic Agent)
- Postural Drainage with Percussion
- Fat Soluble Vitamin Supplements
- Pancreatic Enzymes with Every Meal
- High Protein, High Calorie Diet
- Added Dietary Salt
- Glucose Monitoring
2 mins
Pneumothorax
- Mechanism
- Air Enters Pleural Space
- Assessment
- Sudden Dyspnea
- Absent or Restricted Movement on Affected Side
- Decreased or Absent Breath Sounds on Affected Side
- Chest Pain
- Tracheal Deviation
- Vital Sign Changes
- Crepitus
- Considerations
- High Fowler's Position With Oxygen
- Prepare For Chest Tube Placement
- Educate High Risk Patients
2 mins
Pulmonary Embolism Causes
- Causes
- FAT BAT Mnemonic
- Fat
- Air
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Bacteria
- Amniotic Fluid
- Tumor
- Risk Factors
- Hypercoagulable
- Central Venous Lines
- Immobilized
1 min
Pulmonary Embolism Assessment
- Assessment
- Shortness of Breath (SOB)
- Pleuritic Chest Pain
- Tachypnea
- Hemoptysis
- Hypoxemia
- Considerations
- Sudden Death
52 secs
Respiratory Acidosis Assessment
- Assessment
- Decreased pH < 7.35
- Increased PaCO2 > 45
- Reduced Respirations
- Anxiety
- Change in LOC
- Tachycardia
- Cyanosis
- Increased Electrolytes
- ECG Changes
- Muscle Weakness
- Hyporeflexia
2 mins
Respiratory Acidosis Interventions
- Improve Respiration
- Pharmacologic Interventions
- Bronchodilators
- Respiratory Stimulants
- Drug Antagonists
- Nonpharmacologic Interventions
- Oxygen
- Assisted Ventilation
- Prevent Complications
1 min
Respiratory Alkalosis Assessment
- Assessment
- Increased pH > 7.45
- Decreased PaCO2 < 35 mmHg
- Hyperventilation
- Brainstem Stimulation
- Head Injury
- Shock
- Lightheadedness
- Tingling Lips or Fingers
- Trousseau's
- Chvostek's Sign
- Anxiety
2 mins
Respiratory Alkalosis Interventions
- Treat Underlying Cause
- Mechanically Ventilated Patients
- Decrease Tidal Volume and/or Respiratory Rate
- Give Adequate Pain Control and Sedation
- Hyperventilation Syndrome
- Sedatives
- Antidepressants
- Considerations
- Compensatory Drop in Serum Bicarbonate
- Calming Breathing Exercises
- Correct CO2 Slowly
2 mins
Croup (Laryngotracheobronchitis)
- Mechanism
- Parainfluenza Virus
- Assessment
- 3 Months to 3 Years
- Nighttime
- Barking Seal Cough
- Inspiratory Stridor
- Interventions
- Cool Humidified Air
- Dexamethasone
- Racemic Epinephrine
2 mins
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Cause/Mechanism
- Narrowed or Obstructed Air Passage
- Assessment
- Apnea
- Loud Snoring
- Startle Response
- Daytime Drowsiness
- Interventions
- Positional Therapy
- Oral Appliance
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
- Surgery
- Considerations
- Weight Loss
3 mins
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Assessment
- Cause
- Damaged Alveolar-Capillary Membrane
- Assessment
- Restlessness
- Dyspnea
- Refractory Hypoxemia
- Decreased PaO2
- Diffuse Pulmonary Infiltrates
- Atelectasis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
2 mins
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Interventions
- Interventions
- Closely Monitor Patient
- ABG's (Arterial Blood Gases)
- Oxygen
- Assess for O2 Toxicity
- Mechanical Ventilation
- PEEP
- Assess for Pneumothorax
- Permissive Hypercapnia
- Considerations
- High Mortality Rate
2 mins
Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome
- Cause/Mechanism
- Fetal Lung Immaturity
- Lack of Surfactant
- Assessment
- Respiratory Distress
- Nasal Flaring
- Retractions
- Grunting
- Interventions
- Surfactant
- Oxygen
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Considerations
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
2 mins
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