NCLEX-RN EXAM REVIEW 2024
When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority what should you remember or use
and what is the exception? -CORRECT ANS-Use the ABC rule: Airway breathing, and circulation. The
exception to the rule is with actual CPR, use C-A-B for CPR. Also remember safety first and acute before
chronic. If the pt. is not in distress then you assess. If the pt is in distress then you should do something.
If the pt has diaphorisis you should always do something.
How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs -CORRECT ANS-Address
physiological needs first, followed by safety and security needs, love and belonging needs, self esteem
needs and finally self actualization needs. *When a physiological need is not addressed in the question,
look for the option that addresses safety.
If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to determine the step of the nursing
process. What are the steps in the nursing process and what kind of question might be related to that
step. -CORRECT ANS-Assessment question address the gathering and verification of data.
Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect additional information, identify and
communicate nursing diagnoses and determine the health team's ability to meet the pts needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying outcomes of care.
Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of care and the assignment and
delegation of tasks. Be prepared for questions on client teaching.
Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care with the expected outcomes and
on communicating and documenting findings.
What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing implications -CORRECT ANS-Hemoglobin -
Male 14-18 Female 12-16 Newborn 14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy. Drug therapy can alter values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn 44-64
,Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can alter values. Abnormalities in
RBC size may alter Hct values
What are the normal ranges for WBC?
What can increase values?
What can decrease values?
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal ranges? What range is normal during
the postpartum period? -CORRECT ANS-Both genders 5000-10000 Newborn 9000-30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased values.
Drug therapy can decrease values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is normal
What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? -CORRECT ANS-Males: 4.7-6.1 million
Female: 4.2-5.4 million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase levels
pregnancy usually lower values
drug therapy can alter values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an infusing IV.
What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values? -CORRECT ANS-Both Genders: 150000-400000
, Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral contraceptives may increase values
decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced production of platelets, infections, use of
prosthetic heart valves, and drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy, H2 blockers, INH, Levaquin,
streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics.
What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind when getting a specimen? -CORRECT
ANS-3.5-5 is normal range for potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an increased level. Hemolysis of specimen
can result in a falsely elevated value
What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider when collecting a specimen? -CORRECT
ANS-136-145 is a normal sodium range
Do Not collect from an arm with an infusing IV solution
What are the normal ranges for Ca+?
What type of drug can increase calcium levels?
What are two tests with positive results that are associated with hypocalcemia?
How do you preform the two tests? -CORRECT ANS-9-10.5 for adults. slightly lower in the elder
Use of thiazide diuretics can cause increased levels of calcium
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau tests are associated with hypocalcemia.
• Chvostek sign: contraction of ipsilateral facial muscles when the facial nerve is tapped just in front of
the ear.
• Trousseau sign: carpopedal spasm elicited by inflating a sphygmomanometer above systolic BP for 3
minutes.
When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority what should you remember or use
and what is the exception? -CORRECT ANS-Use the ABC rule: Airway breathing, and circulation. The
exception to the rule is with actual CPR, use C-A-B for CPR. Also remember safety first and acute before
chronic. If the pt. is not in distress then you assess. If the pt is in distress then you should do something.
If the pt has diaphorisis you should always do something.
How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs -CORRECT ANS-Address
physiological needs first, followed by safety and security needs, love and belonging needs, self esteem
needs and finally self actualization needs. *When a physiological need is not addressed in the question,
look for the option that addresses safety.
If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to determine the step of the nursing
process. What are the steps in the nursing process and what kind of question might be related to that
step. -CORRECT ANS-Assessment question address the gathering and verification of data.
Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect additional information, identify and
communicate nursing diagnoses and determine the health team's ability to meet the pts needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying outcomes of care.
Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of care and the assignment and
delegation of tasks. Be prepared for questions on client teaching.
Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care with the expected outcomes and
on communicating and documenting findings.
What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing implications -CORRECT ANS-Hemoglobin -
Male 14-18 Female 12-16 Newborn 14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy. Drug therapy can alter values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn 44-64
,Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can alter values. Abnormalities in
RBC size may alter Hct values
What are the normal ranges for WBC?
What can increase values?
What can decrease values?
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal ranges? What range is normal during
the postpartum period? -CORRECT ANS-Both genders 5000-10000 Newborn 9000-30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased values.
Drug therapy can decrease values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is normal
What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? -CORRECT ANS-Males: 4.7-6.1 million
Female: 4.2-5.4 million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase levels
pregnancy usually lower values
drug therapy can alter values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an infusing IV.
What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values? -CORRECT ANS-Both Genders: 150000-400000
, Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral contraceptives may increase values
decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced production of platelets, infections, use of
prosthetic heart valves, and drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy, H2 blockers, INH, Levaquin,
streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics.
What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind when getting a specimen? -CORRECT
ANS-3.5-5 is normal range for potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an increased level. Hemolysis of specimen
can result in a falsely elevated value
What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider when collecting a specimen? -CORRECT
ANS-136-145 is a normal sodium range
Do Not collect from an arm with an infusing IV solution
What are the normal ranges for Ca+?
What type of drug can increase calcium levels?
What are two tests with positive results that are associated with hypocalcemia?
How do you preform the two tests? -CORRECT ANS-9-10.5 for adults. slightly lower in the elder
Use of thiazide diuretics can cause increased levels of calcium
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau tests are associated with hypocalcemia.
• Chvostek sign: contraction of ipsilateral facial muscles when the facial nerve is tapped just in front of
the ear.
• Trousseau sign: carpopedal spasm elicited by inflating a sphygmomanometer above systolic BP for 3
minutes.
