Nursing Examination Review: Comprehensive NCLEX Practice Cards

Flashcards based on comprehensive NCLEX lecture notes covering mnemonics, precautions, drug levels, antidotes, and clinical signs.

E-A-T (Nursing Delegation)

Mnemonic for what a nurse should NOT delegate: Evaluate, Assess, and Teach.

Addison's Disease

Condition where everything is DOWN except Potassium ($K$), including mineralcorticoids, blood pressure (hypotension), sodium (hyponatremia), blood volume, and glucose (hypoglycemia).

Cushing's Disease

Condition where everything is UP except Potassium ($K$), including sodium (hypernatremia), blood pressure (hypertension), blood volume, and glucose (hyperglycemia).

No Pee, no K

The rule that potassium ($K$) should not be administered without adequate urine output.

APGAR Score

Assessment of newborn status: A-appearance (color), P-pulse, G-grimace (reflex), A-activity (muscle tone), R-respirations.

Airborne Precautions

Precautions for Measles, Chicken Pox/Varicella, Herpes Zoster/Shingles, TB, and SARS requiring an N95 mask and a private room with negative pressure.

S-P-I-D-E-R-M-A-N (Droplet Precautions)

Sepsis, Scarlet fever, Streptococcal pharyngitis, Parvovirus B19, Pneumonia, Pertussis, Influenza, Diphtheria, Epiglottitis, Rubella, Mumps, Meningitis, Mycoplasma, Adenovirus.

M-R-S. W-E-E (Contact Precautions)

Multidrug resistant organism, Respiratory infection, Skin infections, Wound infection, Enteric infection ($C. difficile$), and Eye infection (conjunctivitis).

V-C-H-I-P-S (Skin Infections)

Varicella zoster, Cutaneous diphtheria, Herpes simplex, Impetigo, Pediculosis, Scabies.

Air/Pulmonary Embolism Positioning

Turn the patient to the left side and lower the head of the bed.

Lumbar Puncture Post-procedure Positioning

Patient lies in flat supine for $4$ to $12$ hours as prescribed to prevent headache and CSF leaking.

Myasthenia Gravis

A condition which worsens with exercise and improves with rest; characterized by a positive reaction to Tensilon.

Mannitol (Head Injury Medication)

An osmotic diuretic that crystallizes at room temperature and must always be administered using a filter needle.

Thyroid Storm

Dangerous condition characterized by increased temperature, increased pulse, and hypertension.

Hypovolemia

Characterized by increased temperature, rapid/weak pulse, increased respiration, hypotension, and a urine specific gravity $> 1.030$.

Hypervolemia

Characterized by a bounding pulse, SOB, dyspnea, crackles, peripheral edema, hypertension, and a urine specific gravity $< 1.010$.

M-U-R-D-E-R (Hyperkalemia)

Muscle weakness, Urine (oliguria/anuria), Respiratory depression, Decreased cardiac contractility, ECG changes, Reflexes.

Pheochromocytoma

Hyper-secretion of epinephrine/norepinephrine leading to persistent hypertension, increased heart rate, hyperglycemia, diaphoresis, tremor, and pounding headache.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

Characterized by hyperpyrexia, increased muscle tone (stiffness), diaphoresis, and elevated blood pressure, pulse, and respirations.

Regular vs. NPH Insulin Drawing

Remember 'RN': Regular insulin comes before NPH when drawing up together.

Digoxin Child Care Rule

Do not give digoxin to a child if the heart rate is $< 100$.

V-E-A-L C-H-O-P (Fetal Heart Rates)

Variable decels = Cord compression; Early decels = Head compression; Accels = Okay; Late decels = Placental insufficiency.

Cor Pulmonale

Right-sided heart failure caused by pulmonary disease such as bronchitis or emphysema.

Heroin Withdrawal in Neonates

Symptoms include irritability and poor sucking.

Aminoglycosides Toxicity

Medications like Vancomycin can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.

Aspirin (Pediatric Contraindication)

Can cause Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy) when given to children.

Mevacor (Anticholesterol) Timing

Must be administered with the evening meal if taken once per day (QD).

Nitroglycerine Administration

Administered up to $3$ times every $5$ minutes; hold if blood pressure is $< 90/60$.

Protamine Sulfate

The reverse agent (antidote) for heparin toxicity.

Vitamin K

The reverse agent (antidote) for Coumadin (warfarin) toxicity.

N-acetyl cysteine

The reverse agent (antidote) for acetaminophen (Tylenol) toxicity.

Digibind

The reverse agent (antidote) for digitoxin or digoxin toxicity.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Occurs when the body breaks down fats instead of sugar, releasing ketones (acids) and causing the pH to decrease.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Characterized by ascending paralysis; respiratory monitoring is critical.

R-A-T (Parkinson's)

Rigidity, Akinesia (loss of muscle movement), and Tremors.

Rule of Nines (Burns)

Head and Neck = $9\%$, Each upper extremity = $9\%$, Each lower extremity = $18\%$, Front trunk = $18\%$, Back trunk = $18\%$, Genitalia = $1\%$.

Cystic Fibrosis (Newborn sign)

The first sign may be meconium ileus at birth where the baby is inconsolable and does not pass stool.

Guthrie Test

A test for PKU (Phenylketonuria) performed after the baby has eaten a protein source.

Allen's Test

Occluding ulnar and radial arteries to check for sufficient blood flow before performing an ABG or radial stick.

3 C's of TEF (Transesophageal Fistula)

Choking, Coughing, Cyanosis.

Triage Tags

Red: unstable/bleeding; Yellow: stable/wait up to $1$ hour; Green: "walking wounded"; Black: unlikely to survive/comfort measures.

Fat Embolism Symptom

Petechiae and blood-tinged sputum.

Tidal Volume

Calculation of $7 - 10\,\text{ml/kg}$.

Tardive Dyskinesia

Irreversible involuntary movements of the tongue, face, and extremities often caused by prolonged use of antipsychotics.

Munchausen Syndrome

A psychiatric disorder where an individual self-inflicts injury or fabricates symptoms to receive medical care.

Hirschsprung's Disease Stools

Characterized by ribbon-like stools.

Hypospadias vs. Epispadias

Hypospadias: urethral meatus on ventral (back) surface; Epispadias: urethral opening on dorsal (front) surface.

Strawberry Tongue

A common sign of Kawasaki Syndrome.

Rice Water Stools

A classic symptom of Cholera.

Charcot's Triad (IAN)

Hallmark of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Kussmaul's Breathing

Deep, rapid respirations seen in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).

Cushing's Triad (Increased ICP)

Hypertension, Bradypnea, and Bradycardia.

Shock Vital Signs

Hypotension, Tachypnea, and Tachycardia.

Dilantin Therapeutic Level

$$10-20$$

Lithium Therapeutic Level

$$0.5-1.5$$

Digoxin Therapeutic Level

$$0.5-2.0$$

Theophylline Therapeutic Level

$$10-20$$