What You’ll Learn

Assessment Mastery: Spot accessory-muscle use—the tell-tale elevated shoulders signal fatigue.

Surfactant Secrets: The “dish-soap” analogy that keeps alveoli open.

Pleural Effusion Clue: Why absent breath sounds—not crackles—confirm compression.

Asthma Red Flag: A silent chest means airway closure and impending failure.

Post-Op Priority: Prevent atelectasis with deep-breathing & coughing.

COPD Mechanics: Pursed-lip breathing creates natural PEEP to reduce air trapping.

Lab Connections: Left-shifted WBCs = acute bacterial infection.

ABG Rules: pH → CO₂ → bicarb; identify cause vs compensation.

Case Practice: Early PE = respiratory alkalosis; chronic COPD = fully compensated respiratory acidosis.

TB Teaching: Mask 2–3 weeks & finish the full drug course to prevent resistant TB.

🧠 Key Takeaway

It’s not about picking “the right letter”—it’s about understanding why. The physiology always explains the answer.

📍 Resources

Visit ThinkLikeANurse.org for episode transcripts, NCLEX practice sets, and free study tools.

Have a FAQ to ask Brooke? Send an email to [email protected].