Reading Patient Charts Flashcards
7 cards from real CELBAN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Reading Patient Charts flashcards as text
A chart shows: 'Foley catheter inserted 3 days ago, urine output 20 mL/hr for last 2 hours.' What should the nurse do?
Answer: Assess the catheter for obstruction and notify the physician of low urine output
Normal adult urine output is at least 30 mL/hr; 20 mL/hr for two consecutive hours indicates oliguria requiring assessment for catheter obstruction and physician notification.
A patient's chart shows the following medication order: 'Heparin 5,000 units SC q8h.' What route does 'SC' indicate?
Answer: Subcutaneous injection
SC (also written as SQ or subcut) refers to the subcutaneous route, meaning injection into the fatty tissue layer beneath the skin.
A chart consultation note states: 'Recommend strict I&O monitoring and daily weights for fluid management.' Why would daily weights be ordered alongside I&O monitoring?
Answer: To detect fluid retention or loss more accurately than I&O alone
Daily weights provide an objective measure of total body fluid changes, as 1 kg of body weight change approximately equals 1 liter of fluid retained or lost.
A patient chart shows: 'Last bowel movement 4 days ago, abdomen firm and distended, patient reports bloating.' Which intervention would the nurse expect to implement based on these chart findings?
Answer: Initiate bowel care protocol, including laxative or enema as ordered
Four days without a bowel movement, abdominal distension, and firmness indicate constipation requiring bowel care interventions such as stool softeners, laxatives, or enemas.
A chart contains a physician's note: 'Suspect PE; order CTPA stat, initiate anticoagulation per protocol.' What does PE stand for in this context?
Answer: Pulmonary embolism
PE in the context of CTPA (CT pulmonary angiography) and anticoagulation clearly refers to pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening blockage of lung blood vessels.
A nurse reads the following in a patient's chart: 'Advance diet as tolerated from clear liquids to full liquids, then soft diet.' What does this order require from the nursing staff?
Answer: Progress the diet stepwise based on the patient's ability to tolerate each stage without complications
An 'advance as tolerated' order means the nurse assesses the patient's ability to tolerate each diet stage before progressing to the next level.
A patient's chart contains a note: 'Braden Scale score 14.' How should the nurse interpret this finding?
Answer: The patient is at mild risk for pressure injury and preventive measures should be implemented
The Braden Scale ranges from 6 to 23; a score of 15–18 indicates mild risk for pressure injuries, warranting preventive skin care and repositioning protocols.