ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM CASE STUDY

Updated 11/25

Dear nurses,

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link : Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

for more updated information.

Learn more about:
Dehydration on a long flight
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Learn more about : Neurological assessment

Scenario: Pam has been admitted to the hospital
with complaints of abdominal pain over a period
of time. The doctor has decided to do an ERCP
( Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)
for this questionable abdominal pain.

This will be reflected in the care plan.

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM REPAIR

Updated 11/25

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Dear nurses.com is no longer available. Please click on the links:
 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal Aneurysm Rupture and care

Aneurysm and Diagnosis

Learn more about : Neurological assessment

Learn more about: Medical abbreviations - Part 2

Family teaching is also necessary.

Learn more about : Critical thinking

                                      

IDENTIFYING CEREBRAL ANEURYSM

Updated 2/25

Scenario: Bob went to the gym and pumped iron.
Shortly after, he started to have "an explosive 
headache".

He sought medical intervention. A CAT scan 
would reveal a cerebral aneurysm.
Bob's story continues : Here

Learn more about : Neurological assessment

Learn more about : Critical thinking

 

Learn more about: Medical abbreviations - Part 2

ADDRESSING THE TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL ANEURYSM

Updated 11/25

A cerebral aneurysm may be repaired by clipping or 
embolization. Embolization is done in the X Ray 
department , under fluroscopy.

For more helpful information, click on the link:

Subarachnoid hemorrhage and quiz

 

Learn more about : Neurological assessment

Learn more about: Medical abbreviations - Part 2

                                                     

Learn more about : Critical thinking

Learn more about: PTSD

and The immune System

Enjoy the video: Stress and its impact

ADDRESSING SYMPTOMS OF CEREBRAL ANEURYSM

Updated 11/25

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New topics and links have been added below.

Scenario: Bob went to the gym and pumped iron.
Shortly after, he developed an explosive headache.
Later Bob came to learn that he had ruptured an
aneurysm in his brain. 

Learn more about: Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Learn more about : Neurological assessment

 and Aneurysms and treatment

Learn more about: Medical abbreviations - Part 2

                                                     

Learn more about : Critical thinking

Learn more about: Triage

Learn more about: PTSD

and The immune System

Enjoy the video: Stress and its impact

 

OVERVIEW OF CEREBRAL ANEURYSM

Updated 6/25

Learn more about :Subarachnoid hemorrhage

 

What is an aneurysm?
An aneurysm is a bulge or balloon in the wall of a blood vessel.
The majority of aortic aneurysms occur in the abdominal area,
but may also occur anywhere along the blood vessels that divide
after leaving  the abdominal aorta.

For more helpful information , just click on the link:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

The brain is protected by the skull. Injury to the brain may
result in swelling. The skull is made of solid bone and the
brain has no room to expand when swelling occurs. 

ICP Monitoring is done to reduce swelling and monitor
brain pressures.The brain injured patient is at risk for
 seizures. This should be reflected in the

plan of care. Learn more, by watching the videos:

ICP monitoring
The brain injured patient

.

 

RENAL FAILURE CAUSED BY LIVER FAILURE

Updated 6/24 

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If the kidneys fail, hemodialysis is ordered by the doctor, in 
an attempt to remove waste products. Depending on the situation,
this may be short or long term.

Scenario: Mr.O who was in liver failure and became oliguric. Renal failure very commonly accompanies liver failure. Renal transplant may be necessary. When the kidneys have failed beyond recovery, kidney transplant is often considered.

In the meantime, hemodialysis becomes necessary, to rid the body of waste products.

Helpful hints :

- Carefully monitor and document the urinary output.

- Monitor and document the neurological status, as some patients may become confused while awaiting hemodialysis.

- Follow your institution's policies and MD orders for treatment of your patient.

SIMPLIFYING RENAL FAILURE

Updated 10/25

THE KIDNEYS ( an overview)
The kidneys are two bean shaped organs located in the
abdominal cavity on either side of the spine. They work
to filter out waste products from the blood.

Learn more by clicking on the link: Hemodialysis

Renal failure may be acute or chronic. The image 
above explains the types of renal failure.

Anasarca and its causes

Anasarca, which is also known as generalised edema, may
be caused by a number of conditions. These include:

- Heart, renal or liver failure

- Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia), burns

- Corticosteroids and more

This topic, including quiz questions, continues here:

Anasarca 

Learn more about : Organ failure and transplantation

In the above image, Mrs. had surgical intervention for a hip
fracture. She will be confined to bed for some time. Preventing 
pneumonia, DVT and skin breakdown will be included in
the plan of care.

Physical therapy will also be ordered by the doctor.

UNDERSTANDING KIDNEY FUNCTION

Updated 8/26

The kidneys and their function

Typically , each human being has two kidneys. 

They are two bean shaped organs situated in the 

flank area. The kidneys filter waste from the blood , 

which is excreted as urine. The bladder acts as a

reservoir for urine.

Failure of the kidneys to do their normal function is 

very distressing to the patient. Patients may become

confused because of the retained waste products. 

Pruritis ( itching) is also common. Urinary output 

in renal may be absent ( anuria) or low (oliguria).

Causes of renal failure:

Hypovolemia  , excessive volume depletion from, 

diarrhea, blood loss or diuretics result in decreased 

blood flow to the kidneys and are reversible by 

correction of the problem. Drug induced renal 

failure may or may be irreversible.

Dear nurses,

Just want to wish you a Happy and safe July 4th.

Above is a scenario on dehydration.

Nick and Tina decided to go backpacking

in a desert place. It is unclear why they did
not make adequate preparation and take 

enough fluids.

It is midday and they are lost.They are beginning
to feel thirsty, tired and light headed.These are

some of the symptoms of dehydration. Sweating 

which also causes fluid loss, may go unnoticed. 

Electrolyte imbalances may be caused by sweating 

and fluid loss.

Learn more by watching the video:

Sessions 57- Hydration vs. Dehydration

RENAL FAILURE SIMPLIFIED

When the kidneys are no longer able to perform their normal

functions, renal failure occurs. This may be acute or chronic.
Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are both used to treat
this problem. Kidney transplantation is sometimes necessary.

Failure of the kidneys to do their normal function is very
distressing to the patient. Patients may become confused 
because of the retained waste products. Pruritis ( itching)
is also common. Urinary output in renal failure may be 
absent ( anuria) or low (oliguria).

Causes of renal failure

Hypovolemia - excessive volume depletion from vomiting ,
 diarrhea, blood loss or diuretics result in decreased blood
flow to the kidneys and are reversible by correction of the
problem.

Drug induced renal failure may or may not be reversible,
antibiotics, contrast material used in radiographic studies,
 anti- inflammatory drugs may all be causes of renal failure. 

Monitoring of lab values for certain drugs like Gentamicin
will be an indicator of when levels are becoming toxic.

 Dopamine infusion which is used to increase blood pressure,
 may result in decreased urinary output when used in high doses.
Certain vitamin supplements may cause kidney stones.

Trauma whether blunt or penetrating , surgical procedures 

may damage the kidneys.

Learn more about : Organ failure and transplantation

Anasarca and its causes

Anasarca, which is also known as generalised edema, 
may be caused by a number of conditions. These include:

- Heart, renal or liver failure

- Low albumin (hypoalbuminemia), burns

- Corticosteroids and more

This topic, including quiz questions, continues here:

Anasarca 

Learn more about: Aspiration pneumonia

HEPATIC FAILURE

Updated 10/25

In the image below, Mr. O presents the clinical 
picture of a patient in liver failure. His past history
includes 20 years of alcohol ingestion.

His liver is enlarged and abdomen distended. He is
also lethargic and has pedal edema. His urinary output
is tea - colored.

Learn more about : Anasarca

Learn more about :Liver and renal failure

                                 Organ failure

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Please click on the links below for updated information.
Catatonic Schizophrenia

OCD

WHAT DOES PARACENTESIS MEAN?

Updated 6 /25

Hepatic encephalopathy

When the liver becomes damaged, ammonia and
other toxins cannot be removed.This may cause
toxins to cross the blood-brain barrier and cause
symptoms such as lethargy and mental confusion.

Paracentesis

The liver becomes enlarged in liver failure.
The abdomen also becomes enlarged.Patients
also have difficulty breathing. Paracentesis
is performed to remove excess fluid and make
breathing easier.

Learn more about : The Adrenal glands

Learn more about :Liver and renal failure

                                 Organ failure

UNDERSTANDING LIVER FAILURE

Updated 6/25

Dear nurses, 

Dearnurses.net is no longer available.

The image above, is intended to help you
understand the clinical picture of a patient
in liver failure.

The liver ia a large and very complex organ with a lot
of work to do. Bile production which aids digestion,
converting ammonia into urea for excretion, coagulation
functions and more. Liver damage either acute or chronic
 is very debilitating to the patient.

Damage to the liver may have various causes.
The course of illness may be short or prolonged.

Patients who have illness due to liver damage may
 have jaundice . This is manifested by a yellow
pigmentation of the skin, sclera of the eyes and urine.

The skin is typically very dry and itchy. Liver  damage 
may also lead to kidney failure , coagulation( clotting )
problems and hepatic encephalopathy. 

As the liver loses the ability to do its normal functions ,
patients may experience bleeding problems, or become
increasingly lethargic,  which can lead to coma.

             Learn more about liver: Liver failure and anasarca.