National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential Syllabus

Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential in National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Diagnostic Tests and Laboratory Values

   4 topics

   • Laboratory value interpretation
     • Complete blood count and coagulation studies
     • Electrolytes, renal, and hepatic panels
     • Arterial blood gases and acid-base balance
   • Diagnostic and imaging procedures
     • Pre- and post-procedure nursing care
     • Contrast media and radiologic studies
   • Specimen collection and point-of-care testing
   • Therapeutic drug levels and monitoring
2. 2

   Monitoring and Preventing Complications

   4 topics

   • Vital signs and hemodynamic monitoring
     • Recognizing abnormal trends
     • Central venous and cardiac monitoring
   • Recognizing and responding to changes
     • Early signs of clinical deterioration
     • Rapid response and escalation
   • Preventing complications of diagnostic interventions
   • Cardiac rhythm and ECG interpretation
     • Common dysrhythmias and lethal rhythms
3. 3

   Perioperative and Procedural Care

   4 topics

   • Preoperative assessment and preparation
     • Consent, NPO status, and surgical checklist
   • Intraoperative and postoperative care
     • Recovery, airway, and complication monitoring
   • Wound care and healing
     • Wound assessment, dressings, and dehiscence
   • Care of drains, tubes, and surgical devices

Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential flashcards for National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)

19 of 51 cards from the Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the normal serum potassium range, and what ECG change signals dangerous hyperkalemia?

   Normal K+ is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. Hyperkalemia produces tall, peaked T waves, then widened QRS and risk of cardiac arrest.

2. What is the normal serum sodium range, and what are the chief risks of severe hyponatremia?

   Normal Na+ is 135–145 mEq/L. Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema with seizures and altered mental status.

3. State the normal fasting blood glucose range and the value that defines hypoglycemia requiring treatment.

   Normal fasting glucose is 70–99 mg/dL; hypoglycemia is below 70 mg/dL and is treated with 15 g fast-acting carbohydrate.

4. What HbA1c value indicates diabetes, and what does HbA1c measure?

   HbA1c of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes; it reflects average blood glucose over the prior 2–3 months.

5. What is the normal serum calcium range, and what sign confirms hypocalcemia at the bedside?

   Normal calcium is 9.0–10.5 mg/dL. Hypocalcemia causes positive Trousseau (carpal spasm with BP cuff) and Chvostek (facial twitch) signs.

6. What are the normal hemoglobin ranges for adult males and females?

   Males: 14–18 g/dL; Females: 12–16 g/dL. Low values indicate anemia.

7. What is the normal platelet count, and below what level is spontaneous bleeding risk high?

   Normal platelets are 150,000–400,000/mm3; spontaneous bleeding risk rises sharply below 20,000/mm3.

8. What is the normal WBC range, and what does neutropenia place a patient at risk for?

   Normal WBC is 5,000–10,000/mm3. Neutropenia (low neutrophils) greatly increases infection risk, requiring protective precautions.

9. What therapeutic range and lab test monitor warfarin (Coumadin) therapy?

   INR; therapeutic range is 2.0–3.0 (2.5–3.5 for mechanical valves). PT is the underlying test.

10. What lab test monitors unfractionated (IV) heparin, and what is the therapeutic goal?

    aPTT; therapeutic goal is 1.5–2.5 times the control value (roughly 46–70 seconds).

11. What is the therapeutic serum digoxin level, and what early symptoms suggest toxicity?

    Therapeutic digoxin is 0.5–2.0 ng/mL. Early toxicity: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, visual changes (yellow-green halos), and bradycardia.

12. What is the therapeutic serum lithium level, and why must levels be monitored closely?

    Therapeutic lithium is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; the narrow window means levels above 1.5 mEq/L cause toxicity (tremor, confusion, seizures).

13. What is the therapeutic range for serum phenytoin (Dilantin)?

    10–20 mcg/mL; toxicity causes nystagmus, ataxia, and slurred speech.

14. What therapeutic peak and trough monitoring is required for vancomycin?

    Trough is drawn just before the next dose (goal ~10–20 mcg/mL); monitoring prevents nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.

15. What antidote reverses heparin, and what reverses warfarin?

    Protamine sulfate reverses heparin; vitamin K (and FFP/PCC for urgent reversal) reverses warfarin.

16. What are the normal BUN and serum creatinine ranges?

    BUN: 10–20 mg/dL; Creatinine: 0.6–1.2 mg/dL. Elevations suggest impaired renal function.

17. What are the normal values for arterial blood gas pH, PaCO2, and HCO3?

    pH 7.35–7.45; PaCO2 35–45 mmHg; HCO3 22–26 mEq/L.

18. In ABG interpretation, how do you distinguish respiratory from metabolic acidosis?

    Both have low pH; respiratory acidosis shows high PaCO2 (>45), while metabolic acidosis shows low HCO3 (<22).

19. What is the ROME mnemonic for acid-base interpretation?

    Respiratory Opposite (pH and CO2 move opposite directions), Metabolic Equal (pH and HCO3 move the same direction).

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