List of Medical Diseases, Conditions

Pharmacology Table Drug Suffices Origin Example Rationale Common Side Effects Ase pain Streptase Thrombolyticdissolves clots Severe bleeding & abdominal Azole Miconazole Antifungal -treat fungal infections Rash burning Caine Lidocaine Anesthetic Nausea orthostatic hypotension Cef / Ceph Cephalosporin Treat bacterial infections Rash stomach cramps Cillin Penicillin Treat bacterial infections Nausea/vomiting diarrhea Floxacin Fluoroquinolone Treats bacterial infections Nausea anaphylaxis Cycline Tetracycline Antibiotic Toxicity in pregnancy discolors teeth Dazole Nitroimidazole Treats bacterial/skin infections Skin irritation dryness Dipine Nifidepine (CCBs) Dilates arteries Low blood pressure & edema Prazole Pantaprzole (PPIs) Reduces acid in stomach Headache & diarrhea Profen Ibuprofren (NSAID) Decrease inflammation Increase bleeding stomach upset Fenac Diclofenac (NSAID) Decrease inflammation Increase bleeding stomach upset Mycin / Micin Aminoglycoside Treat bacterial infections Ototoxicity pain Olol Beta blocker Lowers BP lowers HR, SOB in respiratory pts Cort Olone / Sone Anti -inflammatory Increased blood sugar, edema Parin Anticoagulant Prevent blood clots prevent blood clots Pril ACE inhibitor Treat high blood pressure Nonproductive cough, dizziness Sartan Cozaar (ARBs) treat high BP Angioedema hyperkalemia Statin Simvastatin (C10AA) Lowers cholesterol level Headache weakness Semide Loop diuretic Removes water from body Increased urination hyponatremia, hypokalemia Thiazide Thiazine diuretic Removes water from body Increased urination hypokalemia Actone Potassium sparing Removes water from body Increased urination hyperkalemia Setron Ondansetron(5-HT) Prevents nausea Diarrhea, fatigue Terol Salmeterol-(B2) Relieve breathing problems Irregular heartbeat headache Vir Acyclovir-Antiviral Treat viral infections Nausea/vomiting diarrhea Zepam / Zolam Benzodiazepine Treats anxiety/seizures Confusion sleepiness CCBs= Calcium channel blockers PPIs= Proton Pump Inhibitors ARBs= Angiotensin II receptor antagonist inhibitor C10AA= HMG-CoA reductase 5-HT= Serotonin receptor antagonist B2= Beta agonist List of Medical Diseases/Conditions Atrial fibrillation (A Fib) • Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) often, but not always, resulting in a fast heart beat (greater than 100 bpm) at rest. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke so patients with this condition typically are placed on anticoagulants. Ex: Warfarin. Important things to monitor in these patients are INR levels, heart rate and changes in circulation. Precautions: Standard Pneumonia • Pneumonia is an acute inflammation of the lungs caused by a bacterial, viral, mycoplasmal, fungal, protozoal, or mycobacterial infection. Types of Pneumonia: Health care-associated pneumonia- - Affects patients who are not hospitalized but who have close contact with the health care system, such as those who reside in longterm care facilities or who have regular hemodialysis. Community-acquired pneumonia- Occurs in the community setting or within the first 48 hours of admission to a health care facility because of community exposure. Aspiration pneumonia- Can occur in a community or health care facility setting and results from inhalation of foreign matter, such as vomitus or food particles, into the bronchi (most common in older patients, patients with a decreased level of consciousness, and those receiving nasogastric tube feedings); microaspiration, or aspiration of microbiologic organisms. Nursing Interventions include encouraging coughing and deep breathing. Administer antibiotic therapy as ordered. Precautions: Contact (May be placed on Droplet if patient is positive for specific bacterial strains in sputum. Diverticular disease Diverticulosis is a chronic condition of multiple diverticula formation that develops most commonly in middle age. It is typically discovered during routine colonoscopy screening, is often asymptomatic, and does not usually require treatment. Diverticulitis is an inflammatory complication of diverticulosis. It causes signs and symptoms that can have serious consequences. Most uncomplicated diverticulitis patients with mild symptoms are treated with antibiotics and a clear liquid diet. • Nursing interventions includes monitoring for strict intake and output and administering antibiotics. Precautions: Standard Crohn’s disease Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disorder affecting mostly the distal ileum and colon. Crohn disease results in the malabsorption of water and nutrients, which may lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Anemia often results, secondary to poor dietary intake and/or absorption of vitamins and nutrients. • Nursing Interventions include monitoring intake and output and laboratory values. Precautions: Standard Irritable bowel syndrome • IBS is a disorder that produces chronic, uncontrolled inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing edema, ulceration, bleeding, and profound fluid and electrolyte losses. Patients experience abdominal cramping, pain with diarrhea, nausea, dehydration, weight loss, cachexia, and anemia. Patients may experience an average of 5 to 10 diarrhea stools each day that also contain mucus leading to anemia, hypovolemia, and malnutrition. Anemia is related to active bleeding and poor intake and/or absorption of nutrients. Nursing interventions includes monitoring hemoglobin levels and intake and output. Precautions: Standard COPD • COPD is a lung disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation resulting from small-airway disease and parenchymal destruction. Major risk factors include exposure to smoke (including tobacco, cooking fires, and fuel), occupational dust, or fumes. Oxygen should be titrated to improve hypoxemia, with an arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) goal of 88% to 92% in patients without complications. The first intervention usually involves increasing the dose or frequency of a currently prescribed, short-acting inhaled bronchodilator, such as the beta 2-agonist albuterol (Ventolin HFA). Nursing interventions include auscultating lung sounds and monitoring for shortness of breath. Precautions: Standard Acute Pancreatitis • Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation that lasts for a short time. It may range from mild discomfort to a severe, life-threatening illness. The most common symptom is abdominal pain. Nursing Interventions involve placing patient as NPO to inhibit pancreatic stimulation and secretion of pancreatic enzymes, administration of parenteral nutrition and insertion of nasogastric tube to suction and relieve nausea and vomiting, decrease painful abdominal distention and paralytic ileus and remove hydrochloric acid so that it does not stimulate the pancreas. Precautions: Standard Cushing’s disease • Cushing disease is marked by the formation of a pituitary microadenoma (a tumor less than 10 mm in size). This benign, basophilic (highly granulated) tumor produces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and is composed of corticotrophin cells, which cause hyperplasia of the adrenal glands and result in an excess secretion of cortisol. Nursing Interventions- Strictly monitor your patient's intake and output and obtain daily weights. Your patient is at risk for transient diabetes insipidus post-procedure. Observe for large volumes of dilute urine output; if this occurs, your patient may become hypotensive and go into shock. Persistent headaches unrelieved by mild analgesics may indicate an increase in ICP. Monitor your patient's neurologic status for changes in level of consciousness and pupillary response because this may indicate neurologic complications. Precautions: Standard (These patients are also immunocompromised so they may also be on neutropenic precautions (reverse isolation). Addision’s disease • Primary adrenal cortical insufficiency is a relatively rare disorder also known as Addison disease. Nursing Intervention- Follow the "5 S's" for management: 1. Salt replacement 2. 3. 4. 5. Sugar (dextrose) replacement Steroid replacement Support of physiologic functions. Search for and treat any identified cause. Precautions: Standard Diabetes mellitus • Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by insufficient production of insulin in the pancreas or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Type 1 is a lack of insulin production. Type 2 is the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Nursing Interventions- Administer regular insulin by intermittent or by continuous IV method. Observe for signs of hypoglycemia: changes in LOC, cold and clammy skin, rapid pulse, hunger, irritability, anxiety, headache, lightheadedness, shakiness. Precautions: Standard Diabetes insipidus • Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a condition which causes frequent urination. The reduction in production or release of ADH results in a fluid and electrolyte imbalance caused by increased urinary output. Nursing Interventions- Monitor laboratory values and intake and output Dietary measures: limiting sodium intake to less than 3 g per day help to reduce urine output. · Fluid replacement: hypotonic saline is administered intravenously. Precautions: Standard Heart failure • The heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's oxygen and nutrient demands. Diuretics play a major role in CHF treatment. Diuretics act within the kidney to promote increased urination. Nursing Interventions- Monitor the patient's pulse rate and BP and check for postural hypotension due to dehydration. Monitor the number of patients use at night to facilitate breathing. Precautions: Standard Urinary tract infection • Urinary tract infection is a common kidney infection due to a lack of proper hygiene and indwelling catheters. Pyelonephritis is particular type of urinary tract infection (UTI) in which the renal tissue becomes inflamed due to the prolonged presence of a pathogen. Nursing Interventions- Administer oral and IV antibiotics, and monitor for signs of infection, such as burning, fever and especially confusion in the elderly. Precautions: Standard (Depending on the microbiology report, patient may also be placed on contact precautions) Asthma • Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway characterized by airway hyper responsiveness, mucus hypersecretion, and reversible airflow limitation. Nursing Interventions includes assessing and supporting the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation and monitoring his clinical status and vital signs. Administer systemic corticosteroids as prescribed. Prednisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone are commonly prescribed and should be administered for 3 to 10 days. Precautions: Standard Coronary artery disease • Characterized by the accumulation of plaque within coronary arteries, which progressively enlarge, thicken and calcify. Nursing Interventions- Monitor for signs of chest pain and administer antianginal medications. Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and prep patient for surgery. Precautions: Standard Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) • The sudden impairment of cerebral circulation in one or more of the blood vessels supplying the brain which causes hemorrhage from a tear in the vessel wall or impairs the cerebral circulation by a partial or complete occlusion of the vessel lumen with transient or permanent effects. Nursing Interventions- Closely monitor patient’s neurological status and functional level in comparison to their baseline. Monitor vital signs and changes in blood pressure. Precautions: Standard Kidney disease • Kidney disease is also marked by end stage renal disease which is a permanent loss of function of the kidneys. Patients typically excrete little or no urine and are unable to properly fill out excess electrolytes in their blood. Nursing Interventions- Closely monitor patient’s electrolyte values especially potassium, sodium, BUN and creatinine. Monitor blood pressure and administer medications. Precautions: Standard Hepatic encephalopathy • A loss of brain function that occurs when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood. Nursing Interventions- Monitor ammonia levels and monitor level of consciousness. Precautions: Standard Hypertension • Characterized by abnormal blood pressure readings, and controlled with diet and medications. Nursing Interventions- Monitor blood pressure frequently. Many patients are typically asymptomatic. Administer blood pressure medications. Educate. Monitor for signs and symptoms of stroke. Precautions: Standard Hypothyroidism • A condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Nursing Interventions- Monitor labs for FreeT3, T4 and TSH levels. Administer oral medication such as Synthroid. Everything slows down so you’ll see weight gain, fatigue, and constipation symptoms in the body. Precautions: Standard Hyperthyroidism • A condition caused by an overproduction of the thyroid hormone. Nursing Interventions- Monitor labs for FreeT3, T4 and TSH levels. Administer oral medication such as Tapazole. Everything speeds up so monitor for tachycardia, diarrhea and complications of grave’s disease. Precautions: Standard Sickle cell anemia • A condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen because the cells are “sickle” in shape. Nursing Interventions- Pain control management is very essential with these patients, as well as administering oxygen. Many of these patient’s require blood transfusions on a regular basis. Precautions: Standard Abdominal Aneurysm • An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area in the lower part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. Nursing Interventions- Monitor for signs of rupture and notify MD immediately. Prep patient for surgery. NPO for at least 8 hours, obtain consent. Precautions: Standard Renal failure • A condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter waste toxins out of the body. Acute kidney failure is reversible and oftentimes occurs suddenly. Nursing Interventions- Monitor kidney function tests (BUN, Creatine) and monitor output. Precautions: Standard Pernicious Anemia • When the body does not produce enough intrinsic factor, and fails to absorb vitamin B12, it is known as pernicious anemia. Some stomach conditions, or procedures that are carried out on the stomach, can stop it absorbing enough vitamin B12. For example, a gastrectomy (the removal of part of the stomach) increases the risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. Nursing Interventions- Monitoring blood count levels and administering B12 injections. Precautions: Standard Liver Cirrhosis • Cirrhosis is a chronic disease characterized by replacement of normal liver tissue with diffuse fibrosis that disrupts the structure and function of the liver. The three classifications of Cirrhosis: Alcoholic cirrhosis -scar tissue characteristically surrounds the portal areas. This is the most prevalent type that is caused by long history of chronic alcoholism Postnecrotic cirrhosis- consists of broad bands of scar tissue and results from previous acute viral hepatitis or drug-induced massive hepatic necrosis. Biliary cirrhosis- consists of scarring of the liver around the bile ducts. This type of cirrhosis usually results from chronic biliary obstruction and infection (cholangitis). It is much less common than the other two classifications of cirrhosis. Nursing Interventions- administer vitamins, fluid/electrolyte replacement and monitor for ascites. Precautions: Standard Myasthenia gravis • Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. Methods of treatment include medication, surgery, plasmapheresis, and I.V. immunoglobulin (IVIg) Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, and immunosuppressing agents, help to improve muscle strength by suppressing abnormal antibody production. Nursing Interventions- Monitor for changes in breathing and functional levels; administer corticosteroids. Precautions: Standard (May be placed on neutropenic precautions (reverse isolation) due to being immunocompromised).