1.

ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN (AFP)
AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein. It is a protein made in the liver of a developing baby. AFP
levels are usually high when a baby is born but fall to very low levels by the age of 1. Healthy
adults should have very low levels of AFP.
An AFP tumor marker test is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP in adults. Tumor
markers are substances made by cancer cells or by normal cells in response to cancer in the body.
High levels of AFP can be a sign of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles, as well as
noncancerous liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
What is it used for?
An AFP tumor marker test may be used to:
 Help confirm or rule out a diagnosis of liver cancer or cancer of the ovaries or testicles.
 Monitor the health of people with cirrhosis or hepatitis.

2. ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE (ABG)

An ABG is a blood test that measures the acidity, or pH, and the levels of oxygen (O2) and
carbon dioxide (CO2) from an artery. The test is used to check the function of the patient's lungs
and how well they can move oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
ABGs are drawn for a variety of reasons. These may include concern for:
 Lung Failure
 Kidney Failure
 Shock
 Trauma
 Uncontrolled diabetes
 Asthma

How is an ABG Drawn?

An Arterial Blood Gas requires the nurse to collect a small sample of blood - generally a
minimum of 0.5 ml, but a full 1 ml is preferred. Blood can be drawn via an arterial stick from the
wrist, groin, or forearm.

The radial artery is most commonly used to obtain the sample. However, the femoral artery and
brachial artery can be used if necessary. If the patient already has a pre-existing arterial line, this
can be used to obtain the sample.
3. ABDUCTOR AND ADDUCTOR (ADD)
What does the adductor do?
 All adductor muscles in the thighs pull the legs toward the middle when walking, in
order to maintain balance. The adductor longus, adductor magnus,
and adductor brevis are the three most powerful muscles of the thigh. All
three are ribbon-like muscles, attaching along the femur bone.

What muscles does the abductor work?

 The abductor muscle group is located on the lateral side of the thigh and moves the
thigh away from the body's midline. These muscles include the piriformis, superior
gemellus, inferior gemellus, tensor fasciae latae, sartorius, gluteus medius, and gluteus
minimus muscles.

4. ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYDROME (ARDS)

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung condition. It occurs when fluid fills
up the air sacs in your lungs. Too much fluid in your lungs can lower the amount of oxygen or
increase the amount of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream. ARDS can prevent your organs from
getting the oxygen they need to function, and it can eventually cause organ failure.

ARDS most commonly affects hospitalized people who are very ill. It can also be caused by
serious trauma. Symptoms usually occur within a day or two of the original illness or trauma,
and they may include extreme shortness of breath and gasping for air.

ARDS is a medical emergency and a potentially life-threatening condition.

Symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome

The symptoms of ARDS typically appear between one to three days after the injury or trauma.

Common symptoms and signs of ARDS include:

 labored and rapid breathing

 muscle fatigue and general weakness
 low blood pressure
 discolored skin or nails
 a fever
 headaches
What causes acute respiratory distress syndrome?

ARDS is primarily caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels in your lungs. Fluid from these
vessels leaks into the air sacs of the lungs. These air sacs are where oxygen enters, and carbon
dioxide is removed from your blood. When these air sacs fill with fluid, less oxygen gets to your
blood. Some common things that may lead to this type of lung damage include:

 inhaling toxic substances, such as salt water, chemicals, smoke, and vomit
 developing a severe blood infection

5. BODY MAX INDEX (BMI)

 Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in
meters. A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness.

What is a good BMI score?

 The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of developing additional health problems. A
healthy weight is considered to be a BMI of 24 or less. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered
overweight. A BMI of 30 and above is considered obese.

Body mass index (BMI) is a common tool for deciding whether a person has an appropriate body
weight. It measures a person's weight in relation to their height.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH):

 A BMI of less than 18.5 means that a person is underweight.

 A BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is ideal.
 A BMI of between 25 and 29.9 is overweight.
 A BMI over 30 indicates obesity.