Israel RN Licensure Exam key terms

A fall in systolic blood pressure of at least 20 mmHg, or diastolic of at least 10 mmHg, within three minutes of standing. Common in older adults and after immobility, dehydration, or antihypertensive therapy; it raises fall and syncope risk.

A structured evaluation of a patient's likelihood of falling, covering mobility, cognition, vision, continence, medications, and prior falls. It guides preventive measures such as bed height, lighting, footwear, and supervised ambulation.

The concurrent use of multiple medications, often defined as five or more, which increases the risk of interactions, adverse effects, and prescribing cascades. Regular medication review and deprescribing are core nursing and pharmacist interventions.

An acute, fluctuating disturbance of attention and awareness, often triggered by infection, pain, surgery, medication, or metabolic derangement. It is a medical emergency requiring identification of the underlying cause and environmental orientation measures.

Classification of localized skin and tissue damage by depth and tissue type, from non-blanchable erythema of intact skin through full-thickness loss exposing muscle or bone. Staging directs dressing choice, offloading, and documentation for quality reporting.

A validated risk-assessment tool scoring sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear to predict pressure injury risk. Lower total scores indicate higher risk and prompt preventive repositioning and support surfaces.

Partial or complete separation of a surgical incision's layers, often preceded by serosanguineous drainage, typically occurring days after surgery. Evisceration is its most severe form and requires emergency surgical attention.

An infection occurring within 30 days of surgery, or up to one year with an implant, at or near the incision. Surveillance, timely prophylaxis, glycemic control, and aseptic dressing technique are key preventive nursing measures.

A set of practices that keep equipment and sterile fields free of microorganisms, including hand hygiene, sterile gloves, and maintaining the sterile field. It is fundamental to invasive procedures, wound care, and central line insertion.

A primary bloodstream infection attributed to a central venous catheter inserted at least 48 hours earlier, not related to another site. Prevention bundles include maximal sterile barriers, chlorhexidine skin antisepsis, and daily necessity review.

Adherence to the recommended moments for hand cleansing with alcohol-based rub or soap and water. It is the single most effective measure for preventing healthcare-associated infection and is regularly audited as a quality indicator.

A microorganism resistant to multiple classes of antimicrobials, such as MRSA, VRE, or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. It requires contact precautions, dedicated equipment, and antimicrobial stewardship to limit transmission.

Infection-control measures used for patients colonized or infected with organisms spread by direct or indirect contact, requiring gloves, gown, dedicated equipment, and often a single room. Hand hygiene before and after contact is essential.

A coordinated program promoting appropriate antibiotic selection, dose, route, and duration to improve outcomes and limit resistance. Nurses contribute by ensuring timely cultures, on-time administration, and reviewing continued need with prescribers.

A drug carrying an elevated risk of significant patient harm when used in error, such as insulin, anticoagulants, opioids, and concentrated electrolytes. Independent double-checks, standardized concentrations, and clear labeling are required safeguards.

An unintended, harmful response to a medication given at appropriate doses. Nurses identify, document, and report reactions, and distinguish them from medication errors, which involve incorrect administration.

A formal process of comparing a patient's current medications with new prescriptions at transitions of care to prevent omissions, duplications, and dosing errors. It is performed on admission, transfer, and discharge.

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving and understanding information about its nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The physician discloses; the nurse verifies understanding and documents the process.

The ethical principle that competent patients have the right to make decisions about their own care, including refusing treatment. It underpins informed consent, advance directives, and confidentiality.

A written statement made while a person is competent, specifying future treatment preferences or appointing a decision-maker for when they can no longer decide. It guides care near the end of life and must be honored within legal limits.

A physician's written instruction not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest. It must be verified, documented, and communicated across shifts and settings.

The contemporaneous, accurate, and complete written record of assessments, interventions, and outcomes. It is a legal record, a communication tool, and evidence of accountability in professional practice.

The non-punitive disclosure and documentation of errors or near misses through incident reporting systems. Its purpose is system learning and prevention, and it is distinct from disciplinary action.

A structured, retrospective method for identifying the underlying system failures that contributed to a serious adverse event, producing recommendations to prevent recurrence. It focuses on processes rather than individual blame.

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Early recognition, blood cultures, prompt broad-spectrum antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation within the first hour improve survival.

Sepsis with persisting hypotension requiring vasopressors to maintain mean arterial pressure and elevated lactate despite adequate fluid resuscitation. It demands intensive monitoring and rapid escalation of care.

The average arterial pressure across the cardiac cycle, approximated as one-third of pulse pressure plus diastolic pressure. It reflects organ perfusion and is a key target in critical care, generally aimed at 65 mmHg or higher.

A bedside tool aggregating vital signs such as respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, pulse, and consciousness into a numeric score that triggers graded clinical response. It supports early detection of deterioration.

A designated group of clinicians who respond urgently to deteriorating ward patients identified by abnormal vital signs or staff concern. Its goal is to prevent cardiac arrest and unplanned intensive care admission.

Monitoring and maintaining a patent airway after anesthesia, including positioning, suctioning, and vigilance for obstruction, laryngospasm, or residual sedation. It is the first priority in the immediate post-anesthesia period.

A rare, life-threatening hypermetabolic reaction to volatile anesthetics or depolarizing muscle relaxants, marked by rising temperature, rigidity, and hypercarbia. Immediate dantrolene administration and cooling are required.

Nausea and vomiting occurring after surgery and anesthesia, influenced by patient factors, procedure type, and anesthetic agents. Prophylactic antiemetics and risk scoring reduce aspiration risk and improve recovery.

New-onset hypertension after 20 weeks' gestation with proteinuria or maternal organ dysfunction. It requires close monitoring for severe features and timely delivery to prevent eclampsia and maternal or fetal harm.

Excessive blood loss after childbirth, commonly defined as more than 500 mL after vaginal birth or 1000 mL after cesarean. Uterine atony is the most frequent cause; fundal massage and uterotonics are first-line responses.

Adverse effects of magnesium therapy for preeclampsia or eclampsia, including loss of deep tendon reflexes, respiratory depression, and cardiac arrest. Monitoring reflexes, respirations, and urine output is essential; calcium gluconate is the antidote.

Yellow discoloration of skin and sclera from elevated bilirubin in the newborn, which may be physiologic or pathologic. Nurses monitor bilirubin levels, feeding adequacy, and response to phototherapy to prevent kernicterus.

The newborn's limited ability to maintain body temperature, with rapid heat loss through evaporation, conduction, convection, and radiation. Skin-to-skin contact, drying, and warm environments prevent hypothermia and metabolic stress.

Calculation of medication doses per kilogram of body weight, with maximum dose limits, because children's pharmacokinetics differ from adults. Verification of weight in kilograms and double-checking calculations prevent dosing errors.

A deficit of body water and electrolytes in a child, commonly from gastroenteritis, assessed by weight loss, mucous membranes, tears, skin turgor, and urine output. Oral rehydration is preferred for mild to moderate cases.

A structured inquiry into suicidal ideation, intent, plan, means, and protective factors, combined with observation and environmental safety measures. It determines level of supervision and referral for urgent psychiatric care.

Purposeful interaction using active listening, open questions, empathy, and clarification to build a helping relationship and promote patient expression. It avoids judgment and false reassurance in mental health nursing.

Psychiatric hospitalization without the patient's consent, permitted only when statutory criteria such as danger to self or others are met and due legal process is followed. The patient retains rights to review and representation.