1. Preload is end-diastolic volume. Decrease preload with diuretics, nitroglycerin, and non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in acute pulmonary edema.
2. Anticipate an order for a barium contrast enema in intussusception.
3. Patients with Ehlers Danlos and Marfans are at higher risk for aortic aneurysm.
4. Neurogenic shock is classified as distributive shock and is characterized by bradycardia (or lack of expected tachycardia) and hypotension.
5. In a patient with chronic back pain, be concerned if the patient complains of bowel and bladder control loss.
6. If a patient with gestational hypertension complains of RUQ abdominal pain, suspect HELLP syndrome.
7. A patient with a recent body piercing or an intravenous drug user complains of fever and chills. If you notice splinter hemorrhages and auscultate a heart murmur, suspect endocarditis.
8. Dobutamine is a positive inotrope administered to increase contractility in heart failure.
9. The warm phase of septic shock is characterized by bounding peripheral pulses and flash capillary refill.
10. Monitor the patient with crush injury for compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis.
11. Maintain systolic blood pressure (SBP) above 100 mm Hg in traumatic brain injury, and above 110 mm Hg in older adults with traumatic head injury.
12. Phentolamine (Regitine) is used in vasopressor extravasation.
13. If you suspect SCIWORA, the preferred diagnostic test is an MRI.
14. Normal ankle-brachial index (ABI) is 0.9-1.2, it is used to detect arterial occlusion.
15. Reperfusion dysrhythmias such as accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR) may be seen post fibrinolytic administration for STEMI.
16. Pressure from swelling or bleeding can cause compartment syndrome, resulting in intense pain.
17. A massive pulmonary embolus is classified as obstructive shock.
18. Treat rhabdomyolysis with aggressive fluid administration and serum alkalinization to prevent acute kidney injury.
19. The patient classified as "Red" is the highest priority in disaster triage.
20. Traction splints are used to align a fractured femur, reducing bleeding and pain.
CEN References
· Emergency Nurses Association. Sheehy’s Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice, 7th ed. Elsevier, 2020.
· Emergency Nurses Association. Trauma Nursing Core Curriculum, 8th ed., 2019.