NCLEX RANDOM FACTS FOR NURSING
STUDENTS: ACE YOUR EXAMS ON THE FIRST
ATTEMPT!
# TOP NCLEX RANDOM FACTS (High Yield)
## Prioritization & Delegation (The "Golden Rules")
1. **Airway first:** Unless the patient is actively hemorrhaging or in a
code, **Airway always beats Breathing. Breathing beats Circulation.**
(Exception: MCI triage).
2. **Delegation to UAP:** UAP can do *stable* tasks: vitals (stable
pt), ambulate, feed, bathe, I&O, empty drains. **UAP cannot:** assess,
teach, evaluate, or do the first dressing change.
3. **LPN/LVN scope (NCLEX world):** LPNs can do stable,
predictable patients. They can give meds (except IV push initial dose),
suction trach, do sterile cath, and monitor blood products. **LPN
cannot:** hang blood, take verbal orders, do initial assessment, or care
for unstable pts.
4. **Restraints fact:** Order must be renewed every **4 hours for
adults (24 hours? No!)** – Actually: **4 hr for adults, 2 hr for 9-17, 1 hr
for <9 yrs**. In restraints? Assess q15min.
5. **Fire safety – RACE:** Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
**PASS:** Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
, ## Respiratory (They love weird facts)
6. **Tracheal deviation toward the affected side?** That's
**atelectasis**. **Deviation away from affected side?** That's
**tension pneumothorax** (needle decompress now).
7. **Late sign of hypoxia:** Cyanosis. *Early signs:* Restlessness,
confusion, tachypnea.
8. **COPD patient with O2 at 2L:** If you see them on 4L, they might
stop breathing (hypoxic drive). Target SpO2 88-92%.
9. **Suction depth:** Insert until cough/gag, pull back 1 cm. **Adults:
10-12 Fr.**
10. **Post-op total laryngectomy:** They cannot swim, shower with
high pressure, or use a nebulizer. Risk of aspiration forever.
## Cardiovascular (Know these numbers)
11. **First sign of digoxin toxicity (green/yellow vision):** Nausea,
vomiting, bradycardia. Check K+ (low K+ increases risk).
12. **Normal ICP:** 0-15 mmHg. **Cerebral perfusion pressure
(CPP):** Must be >60. CPP = MAP – ICP.
13. **Cardioversion vs. Defibrillation:** *Sync* button on for
cardioversion (to avoid R on T). Defib is "ASAP" no sync.
STUDENTS: ACE YOUR EXAMS ON THE FIRST
ATTEMPT!
# TOP NCLEX RANDOM FACTS (High Yield)
## Prioritization & Delegation (The "Golden Rules")
1. **Airway first:** Unless the patient is actively hemorrhaging or in a
code, **Airway always beats Breathing. Breathing beats Circulation.**
(Exception: MCI triage).
2. **Delegation to UAP:** UAP can do *stable* tasks: vitals (stable
pt), ambulate, feed, bathe, I&O, empty drains. **UAP cannot:** assess,
teach, evaluate, or do the first dressing change.
3. **LPN/LVN scope (NCLEX world):** LPNs can do stable,
predictable patients. They can give meds (except IV push initial dose),
suction trach, do sterile cath, and monitor blood products. **LPN
cannot:** hang blood, take verbal orders, do initial assessment, or care
for unstable pts.
4. **Restraints fact:** Order must be renewed every **4 hours for
adults (24 hours? No!)** – Actually: **4 hr for adults, 2 hr for 9-17, 1 hr
for <9 yrs**. In restraints? Assess q15min.
5. **Fire safety – RACE:** Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
**PASS:** Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
, ## Respiratory (They love weird facts)
6. **Tracheal deviation toward the affected side?** That's
**atelectasis**. **Deviation away from affected side?** That's
**tension pneumothorax** (needle decompress now).
7. **Late sign of hypoxia:** Cyanosis. *Early signs:* Restlessness,
confusion, tachypnea.
8. **COPD patient with O2 at 2L:** If you see them on 4L, they might
stop breathing (hypoxic drive). Target SpO2 88-92%.
9. **Suction depth:** Insert until cough/gag, pull back 1 cm. **Adults:
10-12 Fr.**
10. **Post-op total laryngectomy:** They cannot swim, shower with
high pressure, or use a nebulizer. Risk of aspiration forever.
## Cardiovascular (Know these numbers)
11. **First sign of digoxin toxicity (green/yellow vision):** Nausea,
vomiting, bradycardia. Check K+ (low K+ increases risk).
12. **Normal ICP:** 0-15 mmHg. **Cerebral perfusion pressure
(CPP):** Must be >60. CPP = MAP – ICP.
13. **Cardioversion vs. Defibrillation:** *Sync* button on for
cardioversion (to avoid R on T). Defib is "ASAP" no sync.
