NCLEX RN EXAM STUDY GUIDE
1 When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority what should you
remember or use and what is the exception?
Answer 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 diaphoresis you should always do something.
2.How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Answer 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.
3.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.
Answer 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.
, NCLEX RN EXAM STUDY GUIDE
4.What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing implications
Answer 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
5 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?
Answer 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
, NCLEX RN EXAM STUDY GUIDE
6.What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy?
Answer 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.
7.What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values?
Answer 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.
, NCLEX RN EXAM STUDY GUIDE
8 What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind when getting a
specimen?
Answer 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
9. What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider when collect-
ing a specimen?
Answer 136-145 is a normal sodium range
Do Not collect from an arm with an infusing IV solution
10. 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?
Answer 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.
1 When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority what should you
remember or use and what is the exception?
Answer 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 diaphoresis you should always do something.
2.How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Answer 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.
3.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.
Answer 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.
, NCLEX RN EXAM STUDY GUIDE
4.What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing implications
Answer 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
5 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?
Answer 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
, NCLEX RN EXAM STUDY GUIDE
6.What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy?
Answer 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.
7.What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values?
Answer 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.
, NCLEX RN EXAM STUDY GUIDE
8 What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind when getting a
specimen?
Answer 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
9. What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider when collect-
ing a specimen?
Answer 136-145 is a normal sodium range
Do Not collect from an arm with an infusing IV solution
10. 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?
Answer 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.
