Stressing out about the Next Generation NCLEX? Then you’ve come to the right place!
This week, I share with you a hundred (and yes, I mean a hundred) NCLEX facts and statements that will help you regain confidence in your knowledge.
With these, you’ll never feel unprepared again. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about, since it took me three tries myself to pass the NCLEX.
Are you ready for the challenge?
It’s time to ace the NCLEX, so keep reading!
Let’s Discover NCLEX Facts Together!
Fact #1:
The classic sign of Kawasaki Syndrome is strawberry tongue.
Fact #2:
The classic sign of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is the butterfly rash.
Fact #3:
To decrease intracranial pressure in a patient with a head injury, the head of the bed should be elevated to 30 degrees.
Fact #4:
When in ROME, Respiratory is Opposite and Metabolic is Equal. With respiratory conditions, the pH and PaCO2 are opposites. With metabolic conditions, the pH and HCO3 are equal and go in the same direction.
Fact #5:
Miotics constrict the pupils. There’s an O in miOtics and cOnstrict.
Fact #6:
Mydriatics dilates the pupils. There’s a D in myDriatics and Dilates.
Fact #7:
Know the Rules of Nines to calculate Total Body Surface Area for burns:
- Head: 9%
- Chest: 18%
- Back: 18%
- Arm: 9% each
- Leg: 18% each
- Genital area: 1%
Fact #8:
Anticonvulsants are ordered for seizure management or for bipolar disorders.
Fact #9:
A patient experiencing epistaxis should lean forward, not backwards.
Fact #10:
A patient with pulmonary or air embolism should be placed on the LEFT side with the head of the bed lowered or in Trendelenburg position.
Fact #11:
Sterile procedures, such as dressing changes, can be delegated to the LPN.
Fact #12:
A high-calorie and high protein diet is the common diet for an underweight patient.
Fact #13:
The classic sign of intussusception is a sausage-shaped mass that is felt during abdomen palpation.
Fact #14:
Stable patients can be delegated to the nursing assistant.
Fact #15:
If the pulse is less than 60 beats per minute, do not administer Digoxin (Lanoxin).
Fact #16:
Antianemics are ordered to increase blood cell production.
Fact #17:
If maternal hypotension occurs after an epidural anesthesia, know the treatment and STOP:
- Stop infusion of Pitocin.
- Turn the patient on the left side.
- Oxygen should be administered.
- Push IV fluids if hypovolemia is noted.
Fact #18:
The therapeutic drug level of Digoxin (Lanoxin) is 0.8 – 2.0 ng/ml.
Fact #19:
The antidote for warfarin (Coumadin) is Vitamin K.
Fact #20:
The classic sign of Pernicious Anemia is red beefy tongue.
Fact #21:
Critical patients should not be assigned to the LPN or the nursing assistant.
Fact #22:
Do not delegate what you can EAT: Evaluate, Assess, and Teach.
Fact #23:
To determine if the patient is dehydrated, monitor the patient’s weight.
Fact #24:
The classic sign of Glaucoma is tunnel vision.
Fact #25:
If the patient is in distress, medication administration is rarely the first choice to choose. Look at the other options first.
Fact #26:
Beneficence is performing a deed that benefits someone and the duty to do no harm. It is based on the patient’s overall interest. An example is providing comfort to a sick or dying patient. Another example is taking a patient’s surgery pro bono.
Fact #27:
Nonmaleficence is the duty to do no harm. It is based on the patient’s best medical interest whereas beneficence is based on the patient’s overall interest. An example is stopping a medication that is causing harm.
Fact #28:
The classic sign of Emphysema is barrel chest.
Fact #29:
Do not administer antibiotics without checking for allergies first.
Fact #30:
Vaccines should not be given to neutropenic patients.
Fact #31:
The classic sign of measles are Koplik’s spots, which are multiple spots of white lesions noted on the buccal mucosa.
Fact #32:
An LPN can be delegated to monitor patients that have IV therapy running.
Fact #33:
Restricted potassium and restricted phosphorus diet are the common diets for a patient with chronic renal disease.
Fact #34:
Dopamine treats cardiogenic shock.
Fact #35:
Never give potassium by IV push.
Fact #36:
Digiband is the antidote for Digoxin overdose.
Fact #37:
Tetracycline should not be administered at bedtime. It is taken with a full glass of water. Do not lie down for 10 minutes after.
Fact #38:
The classic signs of Pulmonary Tuberculosis are a low-grade fever, weight loss, coughing with blood, and chest pain.
Fact #39:
Do not give morphine to a patient with pancreatitis.
Fact #40:
Protamine Sulfate is the antidote for Heparin overdose.
Fact #41:
Projection is displacing feelings onto a person, animal, or objection. An example is getting yelled at by your boss and then coming home and yelling at your spouse or pet.
Fact #42:
Carafate should be taken before meals. Carafate is prescribed for duodenal and gastric ulcers.
Fact #43:
Tagamet should be taken with food. Tagamet is given to relieve and prevent heartburn and acid indigestion.
Fact #44:
Antacids should be taken after meals. Antacids are also given to relieve and prevent heartburn and acid indigestion.
Fact #45:
The classic sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is Homan’s sign. Just keep in mind that this is not very reliable and not the diagnostic confirmation of deep vein thrombosis since a positive result can also be noted inpatients without deep vein thrombosis.
Fact #46:
When giving loop diuretics, watch out for potassium depletion.
Fact #47:
Propranolol should not be given to patients with bronchial asthma.
Fact #48:
Food with tyramine should be avoided if the patient is on MAOIs due to the risk of hypertensive crisis.
Fact #49:
Naloxone is the antidote for opioid overdose.
Fact #50:
Glucagon is the antidote for beta-blockers overdose.
Fact #51:
When selecting an answer, avoid the ones with absolutes, such as always, never all, every, only, must, or none.
Fact #52:
After the administration of Ritalin, heart related side-effects should be assessed and reported immediately.
Fact #53:
Amiodarone should not be double dosed if missed.
Fact #54:
Wheezing on expiration is a sign and symptom of asthma.
Fact #55:
Encourage an increased diet of Vitamin B12 with pernicious anemia.
Fact #56:
Increase fluids for hydration due to sickle cell anemia causing dehydration.
Fact #57:
Bronchodilators increase airflow to the lungs by dilating large air passages, which is useful for asthma or COPD.
Fact #58:
Methotrexate is used for chemotherapy and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fact #59:
Know your medical math conversions:
1 kg = 2.2 lbs
1 teaspoon = 5 ml
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoon = 15 ml
1 oz = 30 ml
1 cup = 240 ml = 8 oz
1 quart = 2 pints
1 pint = 2 cups
Fact #60:
Know how to calculate the correct amount to administer.
Amount to administer = Dose / Have
Number of tabs = 400 mg / 200 mg
Answer: 2 tablets to administer
Fact #61:
Do not give grapefruits with Buspar, Tegretol, Simvastatin, and verapamil.
Fact #62:
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs should be prioritized from bottom to the top:
Physiological needs
Safety needs
Love and belonging
Esteem
Self-actualization
Fact #63:
Words that indicates prioritization are:
“Best”
“Next”
“Most”
“Most appropriate”
“Immediate”
“Essential”
“Initial”
“Vital”
“Most important”
“Highest priority”
Fact #64:
- Choose unstable before stable:
Unstable includes change in condition, acute, unexpected, new onset, newly diagnosed, critical lab values, hemorrhage, and change in vital signs.
Fact #65:
Anticholinergic effect is when the patient is not able to spit, pee, poop, or see.
Fact #66:
A stable patient is someone with chronic condition, expected findings, ready for discharge, consistent lab values, consistent vital signs, and condition that has not changed.
Fact #67:
Avoid asking patients “why” questions.
Fact #68:
Dumping Syndrome occurs 15 to 30 minutes after eating.
Fact #69:
Encourage ambulatory after a post-op to prevent the development of deep vein thrombosis.
Fact #70:
To prevent Atelectasis and other respiratory complications, encourage the use of an incentive spirometry.
Fact #71:
Get comfortable with identifying drugs, side effects, contraindications, and how to administer medications.
Fact #72:
Select answers that are least invasive first before jumping to the most invasive answers. Restraints are rarely the first choice before other interventions are attempted.
Fact #73:
After a post-op or procedure, assess the airway, potential altered mental status, sepsis, and hemorrhage.
Fact #74:
A patient with cystic fibrosis should be encouraged to have a low fat and high sodium diet.
Fact #75:
Carbamazepine is contraindicated within 14 days of MAOI administration.
Fact #76:
Focus on the present by focusing on the problem in front of you right now before the potential problem that could occur in the future.
Fact #77:
Crystalloids are the fluid of choice for sepsis.
Fact #78:
Guillain-Barre Syndrome’s classic sign and symptom is ascending muscle weakness.
Fact #79:
Hirschsprung’s Disease’s classic sign and symptom is ribbon-like stool.
Fact #80:
Avoid Asian ginseng and ginkgo with NSAIDs.
Fact #81:
ABCs – Prioritize the patient’s breathing and prioritize what is affecting the Airway, Breathing, or Circulation.
Fact #82:
Acetone breath is noted in someone with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
Fact #83:
If a quadriplegic patient is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia, elevate the head as high as possible.
Fact #84:
Bladder issues are the most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia so the bladder should be assessed.
Fact #85:
Avoid grapefruit with calcium-channel blockers.
Fact #86:
Prioritize the patient before the machine. An example is prioritizing the patient’s safety before the dialysis machine.
Fact #87:
Classic signs and symptoms of typhoid are rose spots noted on the abdomen and chest.
Fact #88:
Angina’s classic sign is a crushing and stabbing pain that is relieved by nitroglycerin.
Fact #89:
Myocardial infarction’s classic sign is a crushing and stabbing pain that radiates to the left shoulder, neck, and arms that is UNRELIEVED by nitroglycerin.
Fact #90:
Avoid excess milk, hot beverages, and alcohol with enteric-coated pills.
Fact #91:
If there is a mass casualty, triage the patients that are most likely to survive first.
Fact #92:
If the outflow is affected during peritoneal dialysis, turn the patient side by side before looking at the tubing or the machine.
Fact #93:
If a patient on dialysis has a fistula that does not have a bruit or thrill noted upon palpation, do not cannulate.
Fact #94:
A patient with chronic kidney failure should be on a limited fluid diet.
Fact #95:
An answer that delays patient care is usually the incorrect answer. An example is reassessing the vital signs in 30 minutes.
Fact #96:
If a patient is on dialysis for the first time and reports itchiness and rash, stop the treatment immediately and do not return the blood back.
Fact #97:
Someone with celiac disease should be on a gluten-free diet and avoid BROW: Barely, Rye, Oat, and Wheat!
Fact #98:
Avoid whole milk before 12 months of age as the child can be placed at risk for intestinal bleeding.
Fact #99:
Questions that require prioritization, eliminate the answer that results in doing nothing. NCLEX will not ask questions that require you to do nothing when a patient is in need. Eliminate choices that include answers similar to “continue to monitor”.
Fact #100:
GTPAL stands for Gravida, Term births, Preterm births, Abortion, and Living Children:
G is Gravida, which is the number of times the patient got pregnant.
T is Term births, which is the number of times a baby has been born 37+ weeks of gestation.
P is Preterm births, which is the number of times a baby has been born between 20 and 37 weeks of gestation.
A is Abortion, which is pregnancy losses before 20 weeks.
L is Living children, which is the number of children that are living.
