Kaplan Nursing flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Main idea

The central point that the entire passage supports. Every paragraph should relate to it; a statement covering only one paragraph is a supporting detail, not the main idea.

Valid inference

A conclusion necessarily supported by stated evidence in the passage. It requires no outside knowledge and cannot merely be plausible or consistent with the topic.

Scope error

An answer choice that is too broad or too narrow relative to the passage's actual claim. Even accurate-sounding wording is wrong if the range of the statement does not match the text.

Author's tone

The writer's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice and punctuation. Options include critical, cautious, nostalgic, detached, and optimistic, and must match the whole passage.

Chronological order

Arranging events by time using signal words such as first, then, by 1990, and after that. Sequence questions are answered by stated dates, not by order of mention.

Cause versus correlation

Phrases like because, led to, and resulted in assert causation. Phrases like coincided with or accompanied by assert only that two events occurred together without one causing the other.

Vocabulary in context

Determining a word's meaning from its surrounding sentence and passage logic. Substitute each option into the sentence and keep the one that preserves the author's meaning.

Paired-passage divergence

The single point where two authors disagree or where one qualifies the other's claim. Questions comparing passages usually hinge on identifying that specific difference.

Order of operations

Evaluate parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right. This sequence prevents inconsistent results in multi-step calculations.

Percent change

Percent change equals (new value minus old value) divided by the old value, times 100. A negative result indicates a decrease; the denominator is always the original value.

Proportion cross-multiplication

If a/b equals c/d, then a times d equals b times c. Set up units in matching positions so the unknown solves in the intended unit.

Dividing fractions

To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal: a/b divided by c/d equals a/b times d/c. Addition and subtraction instead require a common denominator first.

Slope formula

Slope equals (y2 minus y1) divided by (x2 minus x1), the vertical change over horizontal change. In y = mx + b, m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.

Area and circumference

Rectangle area is length times width; triangle area is one-half base times height; circle area is pi times radius squared; circle circumference is 2 times pi times radius.

Unit conversion factor

A fraction equal to 1 that expresses one unit in terms of another, such as 1000 g over 1 kg. Multiplying by it cancels unwanted units diagonally.

Mean, median, mode

Mean is the sum divided by the count; median is the middle value of an ordered list; mode is the most frequent value. Range is the maximum minus the minimum.

Dosage calculation

Dose ordered divided by dose on hand, multiplied by the quantity on hand. Confirm the final answer is in the unit the prescription specifies before recording it.

Mitochondria function

Organelles that produce ATP through cellular respiration, supplying usable energy. Cells with high energy demand, such as cardiac muscle, contain especially large numbers of them.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal conditions such as temperature, pH, glucose, and fluid balance. Negative feedback loops detect deviation and trigger responses that reverse it.

Pulmonary versus systemic

The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation; the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body. Arteries carry blood away from the heart.

Body planes

The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right; the frontal or coronal plane divides front from back; the transverse plane divides upper from lower portions.

Proximal versus distal

Proximal means closer to the trunk or point of attachment; distal means farther from it. The elbow is proximal to the wrist along the same limb.

pH scale

A measure of hydrogen ion concentration: below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, above 7 is basic. Each whole unit represents a tenfold change in concentration.

Newton's second law

Force equals mass times acceleration. A larger net force produces greater acceleration, and a more massive object accelerates less under the same applied force.

Standard precautions

Infection-control practices applied to all patients and body fluids regardless of diagnosis. Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure for preventing transmission.

Adult vital sign ranges

Typical resting adult values: temperature about 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius, pulse 60 to 100 beats per minute, respirations 12 to 20 per minute.

Subject-verb agreement

The verb agrees with the head noun of the subject, not with a phrase in between. In "the box of supplies is," the singular box governs the singular verb.

Comma splice

Two independent clauses joined by only a comma. Correct it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or so.

Restrictive clause

A clause essential to identifying the noun it modifies and therefore not set off by commas. "Nurses who work nights" identifies a subset; adding commas changes the meaning.

Dangling modifier

An introductory phrase that does not logically describe the subject of the main clause. "Walking into the room, the nurse" is correct; "Walking into the room, the chart" is not.

Affect versus effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is usually a noun meaning a result. "The drug affects heart rate" and "the effect was rapid" illustrate both.

Parallel structure

Items in a list or comparison must share grammatical form, as in "charting, assessing, and medicating." Mixed forms such as a noun paired with a gerund break parallelism.