Vitamins cheat sheet

Vitamins cheat sheet

Water soluble vitamins: Vitamin B and C.
Fat soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinal, beta-carotene):

  • Function: Helps to form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, bones, and soft tissues.
  • Signs of deficiency: Skin problems, poor night vision, dry eyes, decreased sensory ability, growth retardation, vulnerability to infection.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine):

  • Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy.
  • Signs of deficiency: Poor appetite, depression, impairment of nerves, and heart muscle wasting.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin):

  • Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy.
  • Signs of deficiency: Cracked lips, sore mouth, anemia.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin):

  • Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy and is essential for healthy nervous system.
  • Signs of deficiency: Diarrhea, mental confusion.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine):

  • Function: Helps to make RBCs and breakdown glucose.
  • Signs of deficiency: Anemia and nerve damage.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin):

  • Function: Converts carbohydrates into energy and breaks down glucose.
  • Signs of deficiency: Dermatitis, hair loss, conjunctivitis, neurological symptoms.

Vitamin B9 (Folate):

  • Function: Vital for new cell creation and DNA synthesis.
  • Signs of deficiency: Impaired formation of RBCs, weakness, irritability, headache, palpitations, inflammation of mouth, neural tube defects in fetus.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin):

  • Function: Breaks down fatty acids and amino acids and also helps to make RBCs.
  • Signs of deficiency: Pernicious anemia, increased risk for stomach cancer.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid and ascorbate):

  • Function: Needed for growth and repair of tissues throughout the body.
  • Signs of deficiency: Scurvy- bleeding gums, bruising swollen joints, slow wound healing.

Vitamin D (Ergocalciferol – D2 and Cholecalciferol – D3):

  • Function: Strengthens and helps form bones and teeth via absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
  • Signs of deficiency: Rickets – skeletal deformities and soft bones.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol):

  • Function: Acts as an antioxidant, helps with formation of RBCS.
  • Signs of deficiency: Inability to absorb fat.

Vitamin K (Phylloquinone):

  • Function: Essential for blood clotting and helps to regulate blood calcium.
  • Signs of deficiency: Excessive bleeding.
Acidosis vs Alkalosis

Acidosis vs Alkalosis

Normal values:

  • pH: 7.35 – 7.45
  • PaCO2: 35 – 45
  • HCO3: 22 – 26

Acidosis: pH < 7.35

Alkalosis: pH > 7.45

Respiratory acidosis:

  • Findings: Low pH, high PaCO2
  • Causes: Sedative overdose, hypoventilation, atelectasis.
  • Pathophysiology: CO2 retention from hypoventilation.
  • Compensation: HCO3 retention by kidneys.

Respiratory alkalosis:

  • Findings: High pH, low PaCO2
  • Causes: Hyperventilation.
  • Pathophysiology: Increased CO2 excretion from hyperventilation.
  • Compensation: HCO3 excretion by kidneys.

Metabolic acidosis:

  • Findings: Low pH, high HCO3
  • Causes: DKA, renal failure, severe diarrhea
  • Pathophysiology: Inability to excrete acid or loss of base
  • Compensation: CO2 excretion by lungs.

Metabolic alkalosis:

  • Findings: High pH, high HCO3
  • Causes: Severe vomiting, gastric suctioning, high NAHCO3 intake.
  • Pathophysiology: Loss of strong acid or gain of base
  • Compensation: CO2 retention by lungs.
Nursing diagnosis

Nursing diagnosis

Types of nursing diagnosis:

  • Problem focused: Ineffective breathing pattern.
  • Risk: Risk for infection.
  • Health promotion: Readiness for enhanced family coping.
  • Syndrome: Chronic pain syndrome.

Writing diagnostic statements:

  • One part: Readiness for enhanced breastfeeding.
  • Two part: Risk for infection related to compromised host defenses.
  • Three part: Impaired physical mobility related to decreased muscle control as evidenced by inability to control lower limbs.
Nursing basics

Nursing basics

Vital signs:

HR: 60 – 100

BP: 120/80

RR: 12 – 20

SpO2: 95 – 100 %

T: 36.5 – 37.5

Pain: 0 – 10

GCS: 3 – 15

Normal pupil size: 2 – 4 mm

Pulse pressure: > 40

MAP: 70 – 100

Systolic pressure: The pressure inside the artery when the heart contacts + pumps blood through the body.

Diastolic pressure: The pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest + is filling with blood.

Medication overview

Medication overview

Bronchodilators: Promotes bronchial expansion, increases transfer of gases, decreases wheezing.

Cardiac glycosides: Increase force of contraction, decrease heart rate, increase cardiac output.

Coronary vasodilators: Dilate arteries, decrease preload + afterload, decrease myocardial oxygen consumption.

Diuretics: Increase urine output, decrease hypervolemia, BP, edema, ICP.

Laxatives: Promotes the passage of stools.

Opioids: Decrease the transmission of pain impulse.

Opioid antagonists: Reverse opiate, induce CNS depression and decreased respiratory function.