General Review Flashcards
7 cards from real CCRN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 General Review flashcards as text
A patient with diabetic ketoacidosis has a serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L. Why must potassium be monitored closely during insulin therapy?
Answer: Insulin drives potassium into cells, causing rapid hypokalemia
Insulin shifts potassium intracellularly, so serum levels can fall quickly during DKA treatment.
Which ECG change is the earliest sign of hyperkalemia?
Answer: Peaked T waves
Tall, peaked T waves are the earliest ECG manifestation of hyperkalemia.
A patient with increased intracranial pressure shows Cushing's triad. Which set of vital signs reflects this?
Answer: Hypertension, bradycardia, irregular respirations
Cushing's triad is hypertension with widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.
What is the primary goal when managing a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome on the ventilator?
Answer: Low tidal volume lung-protective ventilation
Low tidal volume (6 mL/kg) ventilation reduces ventilator-induced lung injury in ARDS.
A post-operative patient has a sudden drop in blood pressure, tachycardia, and cool clammy skin. Which type of shock is most likely?
Answer: Hypovolemic shock
Hemorrhage causing hypovolemia presents with hypotension, tachycardia, and cool clammy skin.
Which lab value is most specific for myocardial cell injury?
Answer: Troponin I
Troponin I is the most cardiac-specific and sensitive marker of myocardial injury.
A patient with severe sepsis has a lactate of 4.5 mmol/L. What does this elevated lactate indicate?
Answer: Tissue hypoperfusion and anaerobic metabolism
Elevated lactate reflects anaerobic metabolism from tissue hypoperfusion in sepsis.