Cardiogenic Shock and Obstructive Shock for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Cardiogenic Shock and Obstructive Shock Definition/Etiology: Reduced cardiac output (CO=SVxHR) can cause a drop in tissue perfusion, and cellular hypoxia. This results in dysregulation of pH, multiorgan failure, and death if not reversed. Cardiogenic (pump failure) Cardiomyopathy: heart muscle dysfunction, reduced squeeze, systolic failure, decreased SV Arrhythmia: tachy can cause decreased SV (reduced filling […]
Aspiration for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Aspiration Definition/Etiology: Exogenous material or endogenous secretions are inhaled into the respiratory tract. Aspiration pneumonia is the number cause of death for dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) patients with neurological disorders. Causes: Reduced conscious level Impaired cough reflex alcohol/drug overdose Post-seizure Post-anaesthesia Stroke/CVA Muscle weakening disorders (myasthenia gravis) Pathophysiology: Most pneumonias are a result of aspiration of […]
Asthma for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Asthma Definition/Etiology: Chronic reactive airway disease with airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, and reversible airflow obstruction Can be life-threatening. Status asthmaticus is a severe, refractory asthma attack Common Triggers: Allergy induced Environment, (pollution, smoke, cold/dry air, seasonal changes) Medications (ASA, NSAIDs, beta blockers) Food additives, sulfites, tetrazine Illness – URI, GERD Exercise Menses Pathophysiology: Very complex […]
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Definition/Etiology: Preventable, treatable disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation Associated with abnormal inflammatory response that is not fully reversible Pathophysiology: The two types of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema Chronic bronchitis is defined as cough and sputum production for at least 3 months during 2 consecutive years Emphysema […]
Pleural Effusion for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Pleural Effusion Definition/Etiology: Abnormal collection of fluid in pleural space- Not a disease, but symptom Causes: heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, malnutrition, pneumonia, cancer, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, infected wound, lung abscess, tumor, fibrosis, trauma, or infection Pathophysiology: ????? TBD Clinical Presentation: Dyspnea Cough Chest pain — mild to severe Dullness to percussion over effusion […]
Pneumothorax for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Pneumothorax Definition/Etiology: An accumulation of air in the pleural space. This can be caused spontaneously, or from an injury. Whether open or closed, the patient is going to be experiencing some type of pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea. One of the gold signs of a pneumothorax is decreased or absent lung sounds on the affected […]
Noncardiac Pulmonary Edema for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Noncardiac Pulmonary Edema Definition/Etiology: Pulmonary edema is non-cardiac if it develops with a normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (no fluid overload). Common causes include: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Reperfusion after pulmonary embolectomy Re-expansion after pneumothorax or pleural effusion E-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury (EVALI) Less common causes: Eclampsia Transfusion-related acute lung injury […]
Pulmonary Embolus for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Pulmonary Embolus Definition/Etiology: Obstruction (air, fat, bone, amniotic fluid, or clotted blood) lodges in branch of pulmonary artery causing partial or total occlusion and potential infarct Risk factors: Previous DVT Surgery within the past 4 weeks Current estrogen use Active or metastatic cancer Recent travel with relative immobility IV drug use Advanced age Smoking Hypercoagulable […]
Respiratory Distress Syndrome for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Respiratory Distress Syndrome Definition/Etiology: This is a form of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. It is an inflammatory syndrome characterized by diffuse alveolar injury. It results in severe hypoxemia. The cause can be traumatic or secondary to a disease process such as sepsis. Be sure to understand your ED’s sepsis protocol Pathophysiology: The inflammatory response […]
Neurological Disorders (Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Neurological Disorders (Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome) Definition: Neuron dysfunction delays messages to muscles Neuron: Primary component of nervous system Myelin sheath – allows electrical impulses to transmit quickly and efficiently Neurotransmitters Excitatory: norepinephrine, acetylcholine Inhibitory: serotonin, dopamine, GABA Multiple sclerosis- Definition: Autoimmune condition Attacks CNS Demyelination of axon Clinical manifestations: Changes in […]