Category: NCLEX Nursing Exam

Rules for Prioritization Four Factors That Always Make a Patient Unstable, Even if Expected: Mass Casualty Incident – Black Tag Criteria In a mass casualty event, the following conditions result in a black tag (indicating the patient will not receive immediate care): Tie-Breaker Rule If the rules for prioritizing based on acute vs. chronic, post-op…

Pregnancy Ranges of Values in OB Questions Probable Signs of Pregnancy (Some signs may occur due to other conditions, such as cancer.) Patient Teaching for Prenatal Visits Lab Values Common Symptoms for Pregnant Women Labor and Birth Key Terms to Know: Lie Presentation Additional Tip 4 Stages of Labor Phases of Stage 1: Onset of…

Psych Drugs Phenothiazines: 1st Generation / Typical Antipsychotics Side Effects (Non-toxic) If the Patient Exhibits Side Effects: If the Patient Exhibits Toxic Effects: Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) Now classified under NSSRIs (Non-Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Benzodiazepines Minor tranquilizers that always contain “zep” in their name. MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) Lithium: Used for Bipolar Disorder Prozac (Fluoxetine):…

Lab Values Understanding the ranking of lab values is crucial for prioritizing patient care. Here’s a breakdown of how to categorize lab values based on urgency:   Normal Level Abnormal Level Serum Creatinine 0.6-1.2 Elevated serum creatinine levels are typically a concern, indicating potential kidney function issues. However, if the question specifies that the patient…

Endocrine System – Focus on Thyroid & Adrenal Glands Thyroid Gland Hyperthyroidism Treatments for Hyperthyroidism Thyroid Storm (Crisis) Post-Operative Risks for Thyroidectomy Hypothyroidism Treatment for Hypothyroidism ADRENOCORTEX Diseases (Start with A & C) Addison’s Disease Cushing’s Disease Laminectomy (Neuro) Why is a Laminectomy Done? Key Consideration: Location Pre-Op Assessment Based on Location: Post-Op Care (Spinal…

Drug Toxicity (5 drugs)   Indication Therapeutic level Toxic level others Lithium (antimania) Used for: Bipolar disorder, specifically to manage manic episodes. Note: Lithium is not used for treating depressive episodes in bipolar disorder, as it primarily controls mania. 0.6 – 1.2 > 2.0 Gray area 1.3 – 2.0 Lanoxin/ Digoxin A-fib, CHF 1 –…

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Diabetes Insipidus (DI) Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Diabetes Insipidus (DI) Nursing Diagnoses for DM, DI, and SIADH: Diabetes Mellitus: Types and Treatment Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM1) Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus (Both Types) Insulin What is Insulin? 4 Types of Insulin How to Handle Insulin…

Crutches, Canes, Walkers Crutches Measuring Crutches Hand Grip Adjustment Crutch Gait Training 2-Point Gait 3-Point Gait 4-Point Gait Swing-Through Gait Using Crutches on Stairs NCLEX Tips: Cane Walker Psychiatric Care Key Considerations Managing Psychotic Patients Psychotic Symptoms Dementia Hallmark Recap: Approach to Psychiatric Questions

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) What are CCBs? What do CCBs treat? Use “A, AA, AAA”: Side Effects of CCBs: Think “H-H” Examples of CCBs: Nursing Considerations: Rhythm Strips You MUST Know Key Terms: 1. Normal Sinus Rhythm: 2. Ventricular Fibrillation (VFIB): 3. Ventricular Tachycardia (V Tach): 4. Asystole: 5. Atrial Flutter: 6. Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB):…

Alcoholism and Psychological Problems Dependency vs. Codependency Treatment for Dependency/Codependency: Manipulation How is Manipulation Similar to Dependency? Treatment for Manipulation: Set firm boundaries and ensure they are strictly enforced. Wernicke (Korsakoff) Syndrome Primary Signs and Symptoms: Characteristics of Wernicke and Korsakoff Syndrome Antabuse (Disulfiram) Patient Teaching: Overdose and Withdrawal 1. Key question to ask in…