NR 304 Final Exam Concepts

NR 304 Final Exam Concepts

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Chamberlain University

NR-304: Health Assessment II

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Date

NR 304: Final Exam Concepts

Chapter 20: Cardiovascular System

Heart Failure Symptoms: Heart failure presents with signs such as dyspnea, orthopnea, crackles, wheezing, fatigue, peripheral edema, ascites, and decreased urine output. Additional symptoms include pale or cyanotic skin, jugular vein distention, and cool, moist skin. Mental confusion and decreased oxygen saturation may also occur.

Heart Health Promotion Tips:

• Use of aspirin (when appropriate)
• Blood pressure and cholesterol management
• Smoking cessation
• Incorporating small, sustainable lifestyle changes

Acute Coronary Syndrome (MI) Symptoms: Patients may report nausea, vomiting, fatigue, indigestion-like sensations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Flushing, perspiration, and palpitations are also common.

Chapter 21: Peripheral Vascular System

Subjective Assessment:

• Leg pain, skin changes, swelling, lymph node issues, medication history, smoking

Objective Assessment:

• Pulse checks, capillary refill, clubbing, inspection of limbs

Lymphedema Diagnosis:

• Ineffective lymph drainage

Venous Insufficiency Relief Measures:

• Leg elevation, walking, lying down

Varicose Veins Symptoms:

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT):

• Sudden deep leg pain, swelling, warmth, redness, tenderness

Venous Return Mechanisms:

• Muscle contraction, thoracic pressure differences, and valves

Atherosclerosis:

• Primary cause of peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Chronic Venous Symptoms:

• Edema, varicose veins, weeping ulcers at ankles

Edema Grading:

Chronic Arterial Symptoms:

• Low ankle-brachial index, pallor on elevation, diminished pulses, cool limbs

Aging Adult Changes:

• Arteriosclerosis, enlarged calf veins, lymphatic tissue loss

Chapter 22: Abdominal Assessment

Distension Causes – Obesity:

• Uniformly rounded abdomen with sunken umbilicus; normal bowel sounds and non-tender palpation

Hypoactive Bowel Sounds:

• May result from inflammation, post-op ileus, or late obstruction

Bowel Obstruction Diagnostics:

• Dehydration signs, electrolyte loss, possible sepsis, and abnormal imaging findings

Physical Exam Indicators:

• Restlessness, distention, hyperactive (early) or silent (late) bowel sounds, shock signs

Common Symptoms:

• Colicky pain, vomiting, fever, absence of stool or gas

Murphy’s Sign:

• Inspiratory arrest when palpating the liver during deep inspiration

Rigidity vs. Guarding:

• Involuntary rigidity is constant and suggests peritonitis; voluntary guarding decreases with exhalation

Chapter 23: Musculoskeletal System

Late RA Findings:

• Ulnar deviation or drift

Osteoarthritis Deformities:

• Kyphosis and limited range of motion

Osteoporosis Risk Factors:

• Postmenopausal women, low body weight, early menopause, inactivity, estrogen deficiency

Chapter 24: Neurologic Assessment

Cranial Nerve Evaluation:

Glasgow Coma Scale:

• Normal = 15, Coma = 7 or below

Stroke – FAST Acronym:

• Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services

Stroke Risk Factors:

• Hypertension, smoking, cardiac conditions

Clinical Indicators of Stroke:

• Numbness, weakness (especially unilateral), vision changes, speech issues, balance problems, severe headache

Romberg Test:

• Positive if balance is lost when eyes are closed, indicating cerebellar dysfunction or vestibular issues

Chapter 25: Genitourinary System

Urinary Retention Symptoms:

• Inability to urinate, may lead to urinary tract infection

Chapter 26: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Chapter 27: Urinary Tract Infections in Older Adults

• May present with confusion, communication difficulties, and lethargy instead of typical symptoms.

References

Jarvis, C. (2020). Physical Examination and Health Assessment (8th ed.). Elsevier.

Ackley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Flynn, M. M., & Vatthauer, K. E. (2022). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide to Planning Care (13th ed.). Elsevier.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Heart disease prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention.htm

NR 304 Final Exam Concepts

American Stroke Association. (2023). Stroke warning signs and symptoms. https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms

National Institutes of Health. (2024). Osteoporosis overview. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis