Pathophysiology
Disease-by-disease nursing priorities, labs that flag it, expected meds, complications, teaching.
116 posts
Burns: NCLEX Priorities
Rule of nines, Parkland formula, phases of burn care, and why airway comes first.
Read post →PathoSpinal Cord Injury and Autonomic Dysreflexia on the NCLEX
Injury levels and function, neurogenic shock, and the autonomic dysreflexia emergency sequence.
Read post →PathoCompartment Syndrome on the NCLEX
The 6 Ps, pain out of proportion, positioning, and the fasciotomy window.
Read post →PathoFat Embolism vs Pulmonary Embolism on the NCLEX
Petechiae, timing after long-bone fracture, and why the treatments differ.
Read post →PathoTraction and Cast Care on the NCLEX
Skin vs skeletal traction, weights hang free, neurovascular checks, hot spots.
Read post →PathoHip Replacement Precautions on the NCLEX
Posterior precautions: no flexion past 90, no crossing, no internal rotation. Abduction pillow.
Read post →PathoOsteoporosis on the NCLEX
Risk factors, T-scores in plain language, bisphosphonate teaching, fall prevention.
Read post →PathoGout on the NCLEX
Acute vs chronic management, colchicine and allopurinol timing, diet triggers.
Read post →PathoRheumatoid Arthritis vs Osteoarthritis on the NCLEX
Symmetry, morning stiffness duration, systemic signs, and the med ladder for each.
Read post →PathoLupus (SLE) on the NCLEX
Findings, flares, sun protection, medication overview, pregnancy considerations.
Read post →PathoMeningitis: NCLEX Priorities
Bacterial vs viral, Kernig and Brudzinski signs, droplet precautions timing, LP care.
Read post →PathoBell's Palsy vs Stroke on the NCLEX
The forehead rule, eye care, and honest reassurance.
Read post →PathoGlaucoma vs Cataracts on the NCLEX
Open vs closed angle, eye drop teaching, and the post-op cataract rules.
Read post →PathoMeniere's Disease and Vertigo on the NCLEX
The triad, the low-salt diet, fall safety during attacks, med basics.
Read post →PathoBPH and TURP on the NCLEX
CBI management, expected vs emergency bleeding, and TURP syndrome basics.
Read post →PathoAppendicitis and Peritonitis on the NCLEX
McBurney's point, rebound tenderness, why no heat or enemas, rupture signs.
Read post →PathoSIADH vs Diabetes Insipidus on the NCLEX
The classic water-balance comparison: labs, urine, and treatment of each.
Read post →PathoThyroid Storm vs Myxedema Coma on the NCLEX
The two thyroid emergencies: triggers, findings, and priority order for each.
Read post →PathoAlcohol Withdrawal and CIWA on the NCLEX
Withdrawal timeline, CIWA scoring, benzodiazepines, thiamine before glucose.
Read post →PathoOpioid Withdrawal on the NCLEX
COWS scoring, symptoms vs alcohol withdrawal, MAT with methadone and buprenorphine.
Read post →PathoDelirium vs Dementia on the NCLEX
Onset, course, attention, reversibility: the classic comparison, plus nursing priorities.
Read post →PathoEating Disorders on the NCLEX
Anorexia vs bulimia findings, refeeding syndrome, meal supervision rules.
Read post →PathoPTSD on the NCLEX
Symptom clusters, grounding during flashbacks, nursing approach, medication overview.
Read post →PathoPersonality Disorders on the NCLEX
Clusters A, B, C, borderline splitting, staff consistency, boundary setting.
Read post →PathoSerotonin Syndrome vs NMS on the NCLEX
Cause, onset, clonus vs rigidity, and treatment for the two hyperthermic drug emergencies.
Read post →PathoAutism and ADHD on the NCLEX
School-age presentations, care approaches, stimulant basics.
Read post →PathoPreterm Labor on the NCLEX
Preterm labor risk factors, tocolytic drugs and their cautions, and why betamethasone matters.
Read post →PathoPROM vs SROM on the NCLEX
Rupture of membranes: PROM, PPROM, and SROM, nitrazine and fern testing, infection surveillance, and cord prolapse risk.
Read post →PathoPlacenta Previa vs Abruption on the NCLEX
Painless vs painful bleeding, why previa forbids vaginal exams, and the nursing priorities for each.
Read post →PathoNewborn Jaundice and Phototherapy on the NCLEX
Physiologic vs pathologic jaundice, kernicterus risk, and the phototherapy nursing care checklist.
Read post →PathoHyperemesis Gravidarum on the NCLEX
Hyperemesis vs morning sickness, the electrolyte pattern, and nursing care priorities.
Read post →PathoPyloric Stenosis on the NCLEX
Projectile nonbilious vomiting, the olive mass, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, and pyloromyotomy care.
Read post →PathoIntussusception on the NCLEX
Currant jelly stools, sausage-shaped mass, episodic pain, and the air enema that both diagnoses and treats.
Read post →PathoKawasaki Disease on the NCLEX
CRASH and burn findings, IVIG plus aspirin treatment, and why coronary aneurysms drive everything.
Read post →PathoFebrile Seizures on the NCLEX
Simple versus complex criteria, what parents should and should not do, and the reassurance script.
Read post →PathoOtitis Media on the NCLEX
Acute otitis media findings, antibiotic decisions, tympanostomy tubes, and the parent teaching that prevents it.
Read post →PathoHirschsprung Disease on the NCLEX
No meconium in 48 hours, ribbon stools, enterocolitis danger, and pull-through surgical care.
Read post →PathoCleft Lip and Palate on the NCLEX
Feeding techniques, repair timing, post-op positioning, and protecting the suture line.
Read post →PathoSpina Bifida on the NCLEX
Occulta vs meningocele vs myelomeningocele, pre-op sac care, the latex allergy link, and folic acid prevention.
Read post →PathoHydrocephalus and VP Shunts on the NCLEX
Increased ICP signs by age, post-op shunt care, and how to spot malfunction and infection.
Read post →PathoWilms Tumor on the NCLEX
The do-not-palpate rule, presentation, staging basics, and pre- and post-nephrectomy nursing care.
Read post →PathoPKU (Phenylketonuria) on the NCLEX
Newborn screening rules, the diet for life, aspartame warning, and maternal PKU teaching.
Read post →PathoHeart Failure: NCLEX Priorities
HF for NCLEX: left vs right, pulmonary vs systemic congestion, BNP, ACE/ARB + beta-blocker + diuretic, daily weights.
Read post →PathoAtrial Fibrillation: NCLEX Priorities
AFib for NCLEX: rate vs rhythm control, anticoagulation, CHA2DS2-VASc, cardioversion considerations.
Read post →PathoMyocardial Infarction: NCLEX Priorities
MI for NCLEX: STEMI vs NSTEMI, MONA, troponin, door-to-balloon, post-MI care.
Read post →PathoHypertension: NCLEX Priorities
HTN for NCLEX: BP categories, first-line drugs, lifestyle, treatment goals.
Read post →PathoHypertensive Crisis: NCLEX Priorities
Hypertensive urgency vs emergency, target reduction rate, drug selection.
Read post →PathoInfective Endocarditis: NCLEX Priorities
Endocarditis recognition: fever + new murmur, Janeway, Osler, Roth, blood cultures.
Read post →PathoPericarditis: NCLEX Priorities
Pericarditis: positional chest pain, friction rub, ST elevation, tamponade signs.
Read post →PathoValvular Heart Disease: NCLEX Priorities
Aortic and mitral stenosis vs regurgitation: murmurs, symptoms, management.
Read post →PathoCardiomyopathy: NCLEX Priorities
Dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive cardiomyopathy. HCM as sudden death cause in young athletes.
Read post →PathoCardiogenic Shock: NCLEX Priorities
Cardiogenic shock: low CO, high SVR, pulmonary congestion. Inotropes, intra-aortic balloon pump.
Read post →PathoCOPD: NCLEX Priorities
COPD: barrel chest, pursed-lip breathing, low-flow O2 (CO2 retainer), tripod position, inhaler ladder.
Read post →PathoAsthma: NCLEX Priorities
Asthma: triggers, peak flow, stepwise treatment, status asthmaticus, never LABA alone.
Read post →PathoPneumonia: NCLEX Priorities
CAP vs HAP vs VAP, atypical organisms, antibiotic selection, vaccine prevention.
Read post →PathoTuberculosis: NCLEX Priorities
TB: airborne precautions, PPD/IGRA, RIPE treatment, latent vs active.
Read post →PathoPulmonary Embolism: NCLEX Priorities
PE: Virchow's triad, sudden dyspnea, anticoagulation, thrombolytics for massive PE.
Read post →PathoARDS: NCLEX Priorities
ARDS: low tidal volume ventilation, prone positioning, PEEP, refractory hypoxemia.
Read post →PathoPneumothorax: NCLEX Priorities
Spontaneous vs tension pneumothorax, chest tube management, tracheal deviation.
Read post →PathoCystic Fibrosis: NCLEX Priorities
CF: thick mucus, pancreatic enzymes, chest physiotherapy, CFTR modulators.
Read post →PathoIschemic Stroke: NCLEX Priorities
Ischemic stroke: FAST recognition, tPA window, NIHSS, swallow eval before PO.
Read post →PathoHemorrhagic Stroke: NCLEX Priorities
Hemorrhagic stroke: BP control, no anticoagulation, ICP management.
Read post →PathoSeizures: NCLEX Priorities
Seizure types, safety during seizure, status epilepticus, post-ictal care.
Read post →PathoMultiple Sclerosis: NCLEX Priorities
MS: relapsing-remitting, fatigue, heat sensitivity, DMTs.
Read post →PathoParkinson's Disease: NCLEX Priorities
Parkinson's: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability. Levodopa, carbidopa, dyskinesias.
Read post →PathoALS: NCLEX Priorities
ALS: upper and lower motor neuron signs, progressive weakness, respiratory failure, BiPAP, riluzole.
Read post →PathoGuillain-Barré Syndrome: NCLEX Priorities
GBS: ascending paralysis post-infection, respiratory monitoring, IVIG/plasmapheresis.
Read post →PathoMyasthenia Gravis: NCLEX Priorities
MG: ptosis, diplopia, fatigability, pyridostigmine, myasthenic vs cholinergic crisis.
Read post →PathoIncreased ICP: NCLEX Priorities
Increased ICP signs (Cushing's triad), management (HOB, mannitol, hyperventilation), pitfalls.
Read post →PathoGERD: NCLEX Priorities
GERD: lifestyle, PPI ladder, alarm symptoms requiring endoscopy.
Read post →PathoPeptic Ulcer Disease: NCLEX Priorities
PUD: H. pylori vs NSAID, gastric vs duodenal pain pattern, complications, triple therapy.
Read post →PathoInflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's vs UC): NCLEX Priorities
Crohn's vs ulcerative colitis: location, pattern, complications, treatments.
Read post →PathoCirrhosis: NCLEX Priorities
Cirrhosis: ascites, varices, encephalopathy, lactulose, paracentesis.
Read post →PathoViral Hepatitis: NCLEX Priorities
Hep A, B, C, D, E: transmission, vaccination, treatment.
Read post →PathoPancreatitis: NCLEX Priorities
Acute pancreatitis: GET SMASHED causes, Cullen and Grey Turner, Ranson criteria, NPO + IV.
Read post →PathoBowel Obstruction: NCLEX Priorities
SBO vs LBO: pain pattern, vomiting, distention, NG decompression, surgical indications.
Read post →PathoGI Bleed: NCLEX Priorities
Upper vs lower GI bleed: melena vs hematochezia, transfusion thresholds, EGD/colonoscopy.
Read post →PathoAcute Kidney Injury (AKI): NCLEX Priorities
AKI: pre-renal vs intrinsic vs post-renal, BUN/creatinine ratio, contrast nephropathy.
Read post →PathoChronic Kidney Disease (CKD): NCLEX Priorities
CKD stages, dialysis indications, anemia, mineral bone disease, ACE/ARB protection.
Read post →PathoDialysis Basics: NCLEX Priorities
Hemodialysis vs peritoneal dialysis: how each works, fistula care, peritonitis signs.
Read post →PathoUTI and Pyelonephritis: NCLEX Priorities
UTI vs pyelonephritis: uncomplicated vs complicated, antibiotic choices, teaching.
Read post →PathoKidney Stones: NCLEX Priorities
Renal calculi: types, pain management, hydration, prevention by stone type.
Read post →PathoFluid and Electrolyte Review: NCLEX Priorities
Hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia: signs, causes, treatment.
Read post →PathoDiabetes Mellitus Type 1: NCLEX Priorities
T1DM: insulin types, sick day rules, hypoglycemia, DKA prevention.
Read post →PathoDiabetes Mellitus Type 2: NCLEX Priorities
T2DM: stepwise treatment, lifestyle, A1c targets, complications.
Read post →PathoDKA: NCLEX Priorities
DKA: triad, fluid + insulin + K+ replacement, when add D5.
Read post →PathoHyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS): NCLEX Priorities
HHS: profound hyperglycemia, dehydration, no/minimal ketones, slow correction.
Read post →PathoHyperthyroidism: NCLEX Priorities
Graves' disease, thyroid storm, methimazole/PTU, beta-blocker for symptoms.
Read post →PathoHypothyroidism: NCLEX Priorities
Hashimoto's, levothyroxine timing, TSH monitoring, myxedema coma.
Read post →PathoAddison's Disease: NCLEX Priorities
Adrenal insufficiency: fatigue, hyperpigmentation, hyperkalemia, adrenal crisis.
Read post →PathoCushing's Syndrome: NCLEX Priorities
Cortisol excess: moon face, buffalo hump, central obesity, hyperglycemia.
Read post →PathoAnemias Overview: NCLEX Priorities
Iron-deficiency, B12, folate, sickle cell, quick patterns and treatments.
Read post →PathoSickle Cell Crisis: NCLEX Priorities
Vaso-occlusive crisis: pain control (opioids), hydration, O2, infection workup.
Read post →PathoLeukemias Overview: NCLEX Priorities
ALL, AML, CLL, CML: who gets what, key treatments, neutropenic precautions.
Read post →PathoLymphomas: NCLEX Priorities
Hodgkin vs non-Hodgkin: Reed-Sternberg, staging, treatment patterns.
Read post →PathoThrombocytopenia: NCLEX Priorities
ITP, HIT, TTP: causes, bleeding risk, platelet transfusion thresholds.
Read post →PathoDIC: NCLEX Priorities
Disseminated intravascular coagulation: bleeding + clotting simultaneously, treat underlying.
Read post →PathoNeutropenic Precautions: NCLEX Priorities
ANC threshold, private room, no fresh flowers, neutropenic fever protocol.
Read post →PathoChemotherapy Nursing Priorities for NCLEX
Chemo: side effects by class, extravasation, anti-emetics, neutropenia.
Read post →PathoPre-eclampsia: NCLEX Priorities
Pre-eclampsia: BP + proteinuria, severe features, magnesium sulfate, delivery as cure.
Read post →PathoGestational Diabetes: NCLEX Priorities
GDM: screening 24-28 weeks, diet first, insulin if uncontrolled, macrosomia risk.
Read post →PathoPostpartum Hemorrhage: NCLEX Priorities
PPH: 4 Ts (Tone, Trauma, Tissue, Thrombin), fundal massage, oxytocin, methergine.
Read post →PathoBreastfeeding: NCLEX Priorities
Latch, supply, mastitis, jaundice, medications and breastfeeding.
Read post →PathoRSV Bronchiolitis: NCLEX Priorities
RSV: wheezing in infants, contact + droplet precautions, supportive care, palivizumab prophylaxis.
Read post →PathoCroup: NCLEX Priorities
Croup: barky cough, stridor, racemic epinephrine, dexamethasone.
Read post →PathoEpiglottitis: NCLEX Priorities
Epiglottitis: tripod, drooling, do NOT examine throat, emergency airway.
Read post →PathoSepsis in Pediatrics: NCLEX Priorities
Pediatric sepsis: fluid bolus 20 mL/kg, antibiotics within 1 hour, vasopressors.
Read post →PathoCongenital Heart Defects: NCLEX Priorities
Acyanotic vs cyanotic CHDs: ASD, VSD, PDA, ToF, transposition.
Read post →PathoFailure to Thrive: NCLEX Priorities
FTT: organic vs non-organic causes, feeding history, social assessment.
Read post →PathoMajor Depressive Disorder: NCLEX Priorities
Depression: SSRI first-line, suicidality assessment, ECT for refractory.
Read post →PathoBipolar Disorder: NCLEX Priorities
Bipolar I vs II, mania safety, lithium, valproate, mood stabilizers.
Read post →PathoSchizophrenia: NCLEX Priorities
Positive vs negative symptoms, antipsychotics, EPS, NMS, therapeutic communication.
Read post →PathoAnxiety Disorders: NCLEX Priorities
GAD, panic, social anxiety, PTSD: SSRI, CBT, benzo cautions.
Read post →PathoPressure Injury Staging and Wound Care
Stage I-IV, unstageable, deep tissue injury, dressing selection.
Read post →PathoSkin Infections (Cellulitis, MRSA): NCLEX Priorities
Cellulitis vs abscess vs necrotizing fasciitis: recognition, antibiotic selection.
Read post →PathoFractures: NCLEX Priorities
Compartment syndrome (6 Ps), fat embolism, traction, weight-bearing status.
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