Nursing Exam Cram Sheet for the NCLEX-RN

Via: http://nurseslabs.com/nclex-cram-sheet/ Nursing Exam Cram Sheet for the NCLEX-RN The final mountain that nursing students must summit before becoming a registered nurse is the NCLEX. Preparing for the NCLEX can be stressful as taking in colossal amounts of information has never been easy. This is where this cram sheet can help-- it contains condensed facts about the licensure exam and key nursing information. When exam time comes, you can write and transfer these vital information from your head to a blank sheet of paper provided by the testing center.

• Test Information

 Six hours1the maximum time allotted for the NCLEX is 6 hours. Take breaks if you need a time out or need to move around. 75/2651the minimum number of questions you can answer is 75 and a maximum of 265. Read the question and answers carefully1do not jump into conclusions or make wild guesses. Look for keywords1Avoid answers with absolutes like always, never, all, every, only, must, except, none, or no. Don’t read into the question1Never assume anything that has not been specifically mentioned and don’t add extra meaning to the question. Eliminate answers that are clearly wrong or incorrect1to increase your probability of selecting the correct answer! Watch for grammatical inconsistencies1Subjects and verbs should agree. If the question is an incomplete sentence, the correct answer should complete the question in a grammatically correct manner. Rephrase the question1putting the question into your own words can pluck the unneeded info and reveal the core of the stem. Make an educated guess1if you can’t make the best answer for a question after carefully reading it, choose the answer with the most information.

• Vital Signs

 Heart rate: 801100 bpm

 Respiratory rate: 12-20 rpm

 Blood pressure: 110-120/60 mmHg

 Temperature: 37 °C (98.6 °F)

• Hematology values

 RBCs: 4.515.0 million

 WBCs: 5,000110,000

 Platelets: 200,0001400,000

 Hemoglobin (Hgb): 12116 gm (female);

14118 gm (male).

 Hematocrit (Hct): 37147 (female); 401

54 (male)

• Serum electrolytes

 Sodium: 1351145 mEq/L

 Potassium: 3.515.5 mEq/L

 Calcium: 8.5110.9 mEq/L

 Chloride: 951105 mEq/L

 Magnesium: 1.512.5 mEq/L

 Phosphorus: 2.514.5 mEq/L

• ABG Values

 pH: 7.3617.45

 HCO3: 24126 mEq/L

 CO2: 35145 mEq/L

 PaO2: 80%1100%

 SaO2: >95%

• Acid-Base Balance

 Remember ROME (respiratory opposite/metabolic equal) to remember that in respiratory acid/base disorders the pH is opposite to the other components. Use the Tic-Tac-Toe Method for interpreting ABGs. Read more about it

here (http://bit.ly/abgtictactoe).

• Chemistry Values

 Glucose: 701110 mg/dL

 Specific Gravity: 1.01011.030

 BUN: 7-22 mg/dL

 Serum creatinine: 0.611.35 mg/dL

 LDH: 100-190 U/L

 Protein: 6.218.1 g/dL

 Albumin: 3.415.0 g/dL

 Bilirubin: <1.0 mg/dL

 Total Cholesterol: 1301200 mg/dL

 Triglyceride: 40150 mg/dL

 Uric acid: 3.517.5 mg/dL

 CPK: 21-232 U/L This study source was downloaded by 100000828532442 from CourseHero.com on 07-02-2021 03:46:15 GMT -05:00

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Via: http://nurseslabs.com/nclex-cram-sheet/

• Therapeutic Drug Levels

 Carbamazepine (Tegretol): 4110

mcg/ml

 Digoxin (Lanoxin): 0.812.0 ng/ml

 Gentamycin (Garamycin): 5110 mcg/ml

(peak), <2.0 mcg/ml (valley)

 Lithium (Eskalith): 0.811.5 mEq/L

 Phenobarbital (Solfoton): 15140

mcg/mL

 Phenytoin (Dilantin): 10120 mcg/dL

 Theophylline (Aminophylline): 10120

mcg/dL

 Tobramycin (Tobrex): 5110 mcg/mL

(peak), 0.512.0 mcg/mL (valley)

 Valproic Acid (Depakene): 501100

mcg/ml

 Vancomycin (Vancocin): 20140 mcg/ml

(peak), 5 to 15 mcg/ml (trough)

• Anticoagulant therapy

 Sodium warfarin (Coumadin) PT: 10112

seconds (control). The antidote is Vitamin K.

 INR (Coumadin): 0.911.2

 Heparin PTT: 30145 seconds (control).

The antidote is protamine sulfate.

 APTT: 23.3131.9 seconds

 Fibrinogen level: 2031377 mg/dL

• Conversions

 1 teaspoon (t) = 5 ml  1 tablespoon (T) = 3 t = 15 ml  1 oz = 30 ml  1 cup = 8 oz  1 quart = 2 pints  1 pint = 2 cups  1 grain (gr) = 60 mg  1 gram (g) = 1,000 mg  1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 lbs  1 lb = 16 oz

 Convert C to F: C+40 multiply by 9/5 and

subtract 40

 Convert F to C: F+40 multiply by 5/9 and

subtract 40

• Maternity Normal Values

 Fetal Heart Rate: 1201160 bpm

 Variability: 6110 bpm

 Amniotic fluid: 50011200 ml

 Contractions: 215 minutes apart with

duration of < 90 seconds and intensity of <100 mmHg.

 APGAR Scoring: Appearance, Pulses,

Grimace, Activity, Reflex Irritability. Done at 1 and 5 minutes with a score of 0 for absent, 1 for decreased, and 2 for strongly positive. Scores 7 and above are generally normal, 4 to 6 fairly low, and 3 and below are generally regarded as critically low.

 AVA: The umbilical cord has two arteries

and one vein.

• STOP—Treatment for maternal hypotension

after an epidural anesthesia:

 Stop infusion of Pitocin. Turn the client on her left side. Administer oxygen. If hypovolemia is present, push IV fluids.

• Pregnancy Category of Drugs

 Category A1No risk in controlled human studies  Category B1No risk in other studies.

Examples: Amoxicillin, Cefotaxime.

 Category C1Risk not ruled out.

Examples: Rifampicin (Rifampin),

Theophylline (Theolair). Category D1Positive evidence of risk.

Examples: Phenytoin, Tetracycline.

 Category X1Contraindicated in

Pregnancy. Examples: Isotretinoin

(Accutane), Thalidomide (Immunoprin), etc. Pregnancy Category N1Not yet classified

• Drug Schedules

 Schedule I1no currently accepted medical use and for research use only (e.g., heroin, LSD, MDMA). Schedule II1drugs with high potential for abuse and requires written prescription (e.g., Ritalin, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and fentanyl). Schedule III1requires new prescription after six months or five refills (e.g., codeine, testosterone, ketamine). Schedule IV1requires new prescription after six months (e.g., Darvon, Xanax, Soma, and Valium). Schedule V1dispensed as any other prescription or without prescription (e.g., cough preparations, Lomotil, Motofen).

• Medication Classifications

 Antacids1reduces hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Antianemics1increases blood cell production. This study source was downloaded by 100000828532442 from CourseHero.com on 07-02-2021 03:46:15 GMT -05:00

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Via: http://nurseslabs.com/nclex-cram-sheet/  Anticholinergics1decreases oral secretions. Anticoagulants1prevents clot formation,  Anticonvulsants1used for management of seizures and/or bipolar disorders. Antidiarrheals1decreases gastric motility and reduce water in bowel. Antihistamines1block the release of histamine. Antihypertensives1lower blood pressure and increases blood flow. Anti-infectives1used for the treatment of infections,  Bronchodilators1dilates large air passages in asthma or lung diseases (e.g., COPD). Diuretics1decreases water/sodium from the Loop of Henle. Laxatives1promotes the passage of stool. Miotics1constricts the pupils. Mydriatics1dilates the pupils. Narcotics/analgesics1relieves moderate to severe pain.

• Rules of nines for calculating Total Body

Surface Area (TBSA) for burns

 Head: 9%

 Arms: 18% (9% each)

 Back: 18%

 Legs: 36% (18% each)

 Genitalia: 1%

• Medications

 Digoxin (Lanoxin)—Assess pulses for a full minute, if less than 60 bpm hold dose. Check digitalis and potassium levels. Aluminum Hydroxide (Amphojel)1 Treatment of GERD and kidney stones.WOF constipation. Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)1Treatment of anxiety and itching. WOF dry mouth. Midazolam (Versed)1given for conscious sedation. WOF respiratory depression and hypotension. Amiodarone (Cordarone)1WOF diaphoresis, dyspnea, lethargy. Take missed dose any time in the day or to skip it entirely. Do not take double dose. Warfarin (Coumadin)1WOF for signs of bleeding, diarrhea, fever, or rash. Stress importance of complying with prescribed dosage and follow-up appointments. Methylphenidate (Ritalin)1Treatment of ADHD. Assess for heart related side- effects and reported immediately. Child may need a drug holiday because the drug stunts growth. Dopamine1Treatment of hypotension, shock, and low cardiac output. Monitor ECG for arrhythmias and blood pressure. Rifampicin1causes red-orange tears and urine. Ethambutol1causes problems with vision, liver problem. Isoniazid1can cause peripheral neuritis, take vitamin B6 to counter.

• Developmental Milestones

 2—3 months: able to turn head up, and

can turn side to side. Makes cooing or gurgling noises and can turn head to sound.

 4—5 months: grasps, switch and roll

over tummy to back. Can babble and can mimic sounds.

 6—7 months: sits at 6 and waves bye-

bye. Can recognize familiar faces and knows if someone is a stranger. Passes things back and forth between hands.

 8—9 months: stands straight at eight,

has favorite toy, plays peek-a-boo.

 10—11 months: belly to butt.

 12—13 months: twelve and up, drinks

from a cup. Cries when parents leave, uses furniture to cruise.

• Cultural Considerations

 African Americans1May believe that illness is caused by supernatural causes and seek advice and remedies form faith healers; they are family oriented; have higher incidence of high blood pressure and obesity; high incidence of lactose intolerance with difficulty digesting milk and milk products. Arab Americans1May remain silent about health problems such as STIs, substance abuse, and mental illness; a devout Muslim may interpret illness as the will of Allah, a test of faith; may rely on ritual cures or alternative therapies before seeking help from health care provider; after death, the family may This study source was downloaded by 100000828532442 from CourseHero.com on 07-02-2021 03:46:15 GMT -05:00

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Via: http://nurseslabs.com/nclex-cram-sheet/ want to prepare the body by washing and wrapping the body in unsewn white cloth; postmortem examinations are discouraged unless required by law.May avoid pork and alcohol if Muslim.Islamic patients observe month long fast of Ramadan (begins approximately mid-October); people suffering from chronic illnesses, pregnant women, breast-feeding, or menstruating don’t fast. Females avoid eye contact with males; use same-sex family members as interpreters. Asian Americans1May value ability to endure pain and grief with silent stoicism; typically family oriented; extended family should be involved in care of dying patient; believes in 8hot- cold9 yin/yang often involved; sodium intake is generally high because of salted and dried foods; may believe prolonged eye contact is rude and an invasion of privacy; may not without necessarily understanding; may prefer to maintain a comfortable physical distance between the patient and the health care provider. Latino Americans1May view illness as a sign of weakness, punishment for evil doing; may consult with a curandero or voodoo priest; family members are typically involved in all aspects of decision making such as terminal illness; may see no reason to submit to mammograms or vaccinations. Native Americans1May turn to a medicine man to determine the true cause of an illness; may value the ability to endure pain or grief with silent stoicism; diet may be deficient in vitamin D and calcium because many suffer from lactose intolerance or don’t drink milk; obesity and diabetes are major health concerns; may divert eyes to the floor when they are praying or paying attention. Western Culture1May value technology almost exclusively in the struggle to conquer diseases; health is understood to be the absence, minimization, or control of disease process; eating utensils usually consists of knife, fork, and spoon; three daily meals is typical.

• Common Diets

 Acute Renal Disease1protein-restricted, high-calorie, fluid-controlled, sodium and potassium controlled. Addison’s disease1increased sodium, low potassium diet. ADHD and Bipolar1high-calorie and provide finger foods. Burns1high protein, high caloric, increase in Vitamin C. Cancer1high-calorie, high-protein. Celiac Disease1gluten-free diet (no

BROW: barley, rye, oat, and wheat).

 Chronic Renal Disease1protein- restricted, low-sodium, fluid-restricted, potassium-restricted, phosphorus- restricted. Cirrhosis (stable)1normal protein  Cirrhosis with hepatic insufficiency1 restrict protein, fluids, and sodium. Constipation1high-fiber, increased fluids  COPD1soft, high-calorie, low- carbohydrate, high-fat, small frequent feedings  Cystic Fibrosis1increase in fluids. Diarrhea1liquid, low-fiber, regular, fluid and electrolyte replacement  Gallbladder diseases1low-fat, calorie- restricted, regular  Gastritis1low-fiber, bland diet  Hepatitis1regular, high-calorie, high- protein  Hyperlipidemias1fat-controlled, calorie- restricted  Hypertension, heart failure, CAD1low- sodium, calorie-restricted, fat-controlled  Kidney Stones1increased fluid intake, calcium-controlled, low-oxalate  Nephrotic Syndrome1sodium-restricted, high-calorie, high-protein, potassium- restricted. Obesity, overweight1calorie-restricted, high-fiver  Pancreatitis1low-fat, regular, small frequent feedings; tube feeding or total parenteral nutrition. Peptic ulcer1bland diet  Pernicious Anemia1increase Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), found in high amounts on shellfish, beef liver, and fish. This study source was downloaded by 100000828532442 from CourseHero.com on 07-02-2021 03:46:15 GMT -05:00

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