Respiratory Trauma for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Respiratory Trauma Definition/Etiology: Blunt, penetrating and blast trauma can all cause swelling of lung tissue and compromised gas exchange (pulmonary contusion, edema, and ARDS). Mechanical problems compromising lung filling: Fracture of chest wall bones (flail segment) Hemothorax Pneumothorax Tension pneumothorax Pathophysiology: Compression of lung / alveoli from tension pneumothorax / atelectasis / hemothorax. […]
Pulmonary Hypertension for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Pulmonary Hypertension Definition/Etiology: Normal mean pulmonary artery pressure is 12-16 mmHg. Pulmonary hypertension is >20 mmHg. Five groups of Pulmonary Hypertension: Group 1: pulmonary arterial (PA) hypertension (PAH), which has several causes (eg, inheritable causes, drugs, connective tissue disease) Group 2: due to left-sided heart failure (most common PH) Group 3: due to chronic […]
Homicidal and Suicidal Ideation for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Homicidal and Suicidal Ideation: Definition/Etiology: We all know the definitions here. Homicidal ideation is the thought of killing another person and suicidal ideation is the thought of killing oneself. The causes for either of these conditions are too numerous to mention here. While the numbers of homicidal ideation are kind of tough to find, […]
Thought Disorders (Psychosis, Schizophrenia) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Thought Disorders (Psychosis, Schizophrenia): Definition/Etiology: Acute psychosis is an emergency situation and requires rapid assessment and diagnosis. The etiology of psychosis can be varied from dementia, brain tumors, substance abuse and even schizophrenia. The interventions for schizophrenia will differ a little from those other organic causes. Either way, ensuring patient safety is a priority regardless […]
Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis: Definition/Etiology: We all know that an allergic reaction is a response by the body’s immune system to an exposure to an antigen. The most common ones are antibiotics, insect bites and stings, foods, and environment. The most severe reaction is, of course, anaphylaxis, which can cause complete airway obstruction pretty quickly. […]
Hematologic Disorders for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Hematologic Disorders: Definition/Etiology: Anemia: Low red blood cells Sickle Cell Disease: defective hemoglobin molecules cause the RBCs to assume a “sickled shape”. Because of the shape these cells tend to clump together and cause an increased viscosity of the blood resulting in capillary obstruction. Hemophilia: Clotting disorder identified by a deficiency in factor VIII and […]
Sodium and Potassium Imbalance for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Sodium and Potassium Imbalance Definition/Etiology: Hypernatremia: Rise in serum sodium above 145. Results from a deficit in water, like in dehydration, or, less commonly, an excess of sodium. One of the common contributing factors is the patient’s inability to obtain adequate fluids. Failure to replenish during extreme heat or episodes of vomiting and diarrhea […]
Adrenal and Thyroid Disorder Emergencies for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Adrenal and Thyroid Disorder Emergencies Definition/Etiology: Thyroid Storm – A hypermetabolic state associated with hyperthyroidism. Usually secondary to Graves’ Disease. Can be cause by stress, drug reactions, surgery, trauma, MI, infection, DKA and embolism Myxedema (hypothyroid) Coma: Usually results from stress in patients with preexisting hypothyroidism. Can also be caused by infection, heart failure, […]
Renal Failure for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Renal Failure Definition/Etiology: Acute renal failure is commonly defined as an abrupt decline in renal function. It usually manifests as an acute increase in BUN and Creatinine levels over the course of hours to weeks. The etiology of ARF is usually prerenal or postrenal. Prerenal causes are usually the result of hypovolemia secondary to […]
Sepsis for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Sepsis Definition/Etiology: So, we know what sepsis is, right? It’s the presence or suspicion of infection with 2 or more of the SIRS criteria. Septic shock is the progression of sepsis to an emergency state. It is a sepsis-induced distributive shock with hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation. It is usually accompanied by lactic acidosis, […]