Nursing Exam Cram Sheet for the NCLEX-RN
The final mountain that nursing students must summit before becoming a registered nurse is the NCLEX. Preparing for the NCLEX can be stressful as
taking in colossal amounts of information has never been easy. This is where this cram sheet can help-- it contains condensed facts about the licensure
exam and key nursing information. When exam time comes, you can write and transfer these vital information from your head to a blank sheet of paper
provided by the testing center.
1. Test Information
Rephrase the question—putting the 5. ABG Values
Six hours—the maximum time allotted
question into your own words can pluck pH: 7.36—7.45
for the NCLEX is 6 hours. Take breaks if
the unneeded info and reveal the core of HCO3: 24—26 mEq/L
you need a time out or need to move
the stem. CO2: 35—45 mEq/L
around.
Make an educated guess—if you can’t PaO2: 80%—100%
75/265—the minimum number of
make the best answer for a question SaO2: >95%
questions you can answer is 75 and a
after carefully reading it, choose the 6. Acid-Base Balance
maximum of 265.
answer with the most information. Remember ROME (respiratory
Read the question and answers
2. Vital Signs opposite/metabolic equal) to remember
carefully—do not jump into conclusions
Heart rate: 80—100 bpm that in respiratory acid/base disorders
or make wild guesses.
Respiratory rate: 12-20 rpm the pH is opposite to the other
Look for keywords—Avoid answers with
Blood pressure: 110-120/60 mmHg components.
absolutes like always, never, all, every,
Temperature: 37 °C (98.6 °F) Use the Tic-Tac-Toe Method for
only, must, except, none, or no.
3. Hematology values interpreting ABGs. Read more about it
Don’t read into the question—Never
RBCs: 4.5—5.0 million here (http://bit.ly/abgtictactoe).
assume anything that has not been
WBCs: 5,000—10,000 7. Chemistry Values
specifically mentioned and don’t add
Platelets: 200,000—400,000 Glucose: 70—110 mg/dL
extra meaning to the question. Hemoglobin (Hgb): 12—16 gm (female); Specific Gravity: 1.010—1.030
Eliminate answers that are clearly wrong 14—18 gm (male). BUN: 7-22 mg/dL
or incorrect—to increase your probability Hematocrit (Hct): 37—47 (female); 40— Serum creatinine: 0.6—1.35 mg/dL
of selecting the correct answer! 54 (male) LDH: 100-190 U/L
Watch for grammatical inconsistencies 4. Serum electrolytes Protein: 6.2—8.1 g/dL
—Subjects and verbs should agree. If the Sodium: 135—145 mEq/L Albumin: 3.4—5.0 g/dL
question is an incomplete sentence, the Potassium: 3.5—5.5 mEq/L Bilirubin: <1.0 mg/dL
correct answer should complete the Calcium: 8.5—10.9 mEq/L Total Cholesterol: 130—200 mg/dL
question in a grammatically correct Chloride: 95—105 mEq/L Triglyceride: 40—50 mg/dL
manner. Magnesium: 1.5—2.5 mEq/L Uric acid: 3.5—7.5 mg/dL
Phosphorus: 2.5—4.5 mEq/L CPK: 21-232 U/L
, 8. Therapeutic Drug Levels 1 gram (g) = 1,000 mg Category C—Risk not ruled out.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol): 4— 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 lbs Examples: Rifampicin (Rifampin),
10 mcg/ml 1 lb = 16 oz Theophylline (Theolair).
Digoxin (Lanoxin): 0.8—2.0 ng/ml Convert C to F: C+40 multiply by 9/5 and Category D—Positive evidence of risk.
Gentamycin (Garamycin): 5—10 mcg/ml subtract 40 Examples: Phenytoin, Tetracycline.
(peak), <2.0 mcg/ml (valley) Convert F to C: F+40 multiply by 5/9 and Category X—Contraindicated in
Lithium (Eskalith): 0.8—1.5 mEq/L subtract 40 Pregnancy. Examples: Isotretinoin
Phenobarbital (Solfoton): 15—40 11. Maternity Normal Values (Accutane), Thalidomide (Immunoprin),
mcg/mL Fetal Heart Rate: 120—160 bpm etc.
Phenytoin (Dilantin): 10—20 mcg/dL Variability: 6—10 bpm Pregnancy Category N—Not yet
Theophylline (Aminophylline): 10— Amniotic fluid: 500—1200 ml classified
20 mcg/dL Contractions: 2—5 minutes apart with 14. Drug Schedules
Tobramycin (Tobrex): 5—10 duration of < 90 seconds and intensity Schedule I—no currently accepted
mcg/mL (peak), 0.5—2.0 mcg/mL of <100 mmHg. medical use and for research use only
(valley) APGAR Scoring: Appearance, Pulses, (e.g., heroin, LSD, MDMA).
Valproic Acid (Depakene): 50— Grimace, Activity, Reflex Irritability. Done Schedule II—drugs with high potential
100 mcg/ml at 1 and 5 minutes with a score of 0 for for abuse and requires written
Vancomycin (Vancocin): 20—40 mcg/ml absent, 1 for decreased, and 2 for prescription (e.g., Ritalin,
(peak), 5 to 15 mcg/ml (trough) strongly positive. Scores 7 and above hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine
9. Anticoagulant therapy are generally normal, 4 to 6 fairly low, (Demerol), and fentanyl).
Sodium warfarin (Coumadin) PT: 10—12 and 3 and below are generally regarded Schedule III—requires new prescription
seconds (control). The antidote is as critically low. after six months or five refills (e.g.,
Vitamin K. AVA: The umbilical cord has two arteries codeine, testosterone, ketamine).
INR (Coumadin): 0.9—1.2 and one vein. Schedule IV—requires new prescription
Heparin PTT: 30—45 seconds 12. STOP—Treatment for maternal hypotension after six months (e.g., Darvon, Xanax,
(control). The antidote is protamine after an epidural anesthesia: Soma, and Valium).
sulfate. Stop infusion of Pitocin. Schedule V—dispensed as any other
APTT: 23.3—31.9 seconds Turn the client on her left side. prescription or without prescription
Fibrinogen level: 203—377 mg/dL Administer oxygen. (e.g., cough preparations, Lomotil,
10. Conversions If hypovolemia is present, push IV fluids. Motofen).
1 teaspoon (t) = 5 ml 13. Pregnancy Category of Drugs 15. Medication Classifications
1 tablespoon (T) = 3 t = 15 ml Category A—No risk in controlled human Antacids—reduces hydrochloric acid in
1 oz = 30 ml studies the stomach.
1 cup = 8 oz Category B—No risk in other studies. Antianemics—increases blood cell
1 quart = 2 pints Examples: Amoxicillin, Cefotaxime. production.
1 pint = 2 cups
1 grain (gr) = 60 mg
The final mountain that nursing students must summit before becoming a registered nurse is the NCLEX. Preparing for the NCLEX can be stressful as
taking in colossal amounts of information has never been easy. This is where this cram sheet can help-- it contains condensed facts about the licensure
exam and key nursing information. When exam time comes, you can write and transfer these vital information from your head to a blank sheet of paper
provided by the testing center.
1. Test Information
Rephrase the question—putting the 5. ABG Values
Six hours—the maximum time allotted
question into your own words can pluck pH: 7.36—7.45
for the NCLEX is 6 hours. Take breaks if
the unneeded info and reveal the core of HCO3: 24—26 mEq/L
you need a time out or need to move
the stem. CO2: 35—45 mEq/L
around.
Make an educated guess—if you can’t PaO2: 80%—100%
75/265—the minimum number of
make the best answer for a question SaO2: >95%
questions you can answer is 75 and a
after carefully reading it, choose the 6. Acid-Base Balance
maximum of 265.
answer with the most information. Remember ROME (respiratory
Read the question and answers
2. Vital Signs opposite/metabolic equal) to remember
carefully—do not jump into conclusions
Heart rate: 80—100 bpm that in respiratory acid/base disorders
or make wild guesses.
Respiratory rate: 12-20 rpm the pH is opposite to the other
Look for keywords—Avoid answers with
Blood pressure: 110-120/60 mmHg components.
absolutes like always, never, all, every,
Temperature: 37 °C (98.6 °F) Use the Tic-Tac-Toe Method for
only, must, except, none, or no.
3. Hematology values interpreting ABGs. Read more about it
Don’t read into the question—Never
RBCs: 4.5—5.0 million here (http://bit.ly/abgtictactoe).
assume anything that has not been
WBCs: 5,000—10,000 7. Chemistry Values
specifically mentioned and don’t add
Platelets: 200,000—400,000 Glucose: 70—110 mg/dL
extra meaning to the question. Hemoglobin (Hgb): 12—16 gm (female); Specific Gravity: 1.010—1.030
Eliminate answers that are clearly wrong 14—18 gm (male). BUN: 7-22 mg/dL
or incorrect—to increase your probability Hematocrit (Hct): 37—47 (female); 40— Serum creatinine: 0.6—1.35 mg/dL
of selecting the correct answer! 54 (male) LDH: 100-190 U/L
Watch for grammatical inconsistencies 4. Serum electrolytes Protein: 6.2—8.1 g/dL
—Subjects and verbs should agree. If the Sodium: 135—145 mEq/L Albumin: 3.4—5.0 g/dL
question is an incomplete sentence, the Potassium: 3.5—5.5 mEq/L Bilirubin: <1.0 mg/dL
correct answer should complete the Calcium: 8.5—10.9 mEq/L Total Cholesterol: 130—200 mg/dL
question in a grammatically correct Chloride: 95—105 mEq/L Triglyceride: 40—50 mg/dL
manner. Magnesium: 1.5—2.5 mEq/L Uric acid: 3.5—7.5 mg/dL
Phosphorus: 2.5—4.5 mEq/L CPK: 21-232 U/L
, 8. Therapeutic Drug Levels 1 gram (g) = 1,000 mg Category C—Risk not ruled out.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol): 4— 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 lbs Examples: Rifampicin (Rifampin),
10 mcg/ml 1 lb = 16 oz Theophylline (Theolair).
Digoxin (Lanoxin): 0.8—2.0 ng/ml Convert C to F: C+40 multiply by 9/5 and Category D—Positive evidence of risk.
Gentamycin (Garamycin): 5—10 mcg/ml subtract 40 Examples: Phenytoin, Tetracycline.
(peak), <2.0 mcg/ml (valley) Convert F to C: F+40 multiply by 5/9 and Category X—Contraindicated in
Lithium (Eskalith): 0.8—1.5 mEq/L subtract 40 Pregnancy. Examples: Isotretinoin
Phenobarbital (Solfoton): 15—40 11. Maternity Normal Values (Accutane), Thalidomide (Immunoprin),
mcg/mL Fetal Heart Rate: 120—160 bpm etc.
Phenytoin (Dilantin): 10—20 mcg/dL Variability: 6—10 bpm Pregnancy Category N—Not yet
Theophylline (Aminophylline): 10— Amniotic fluid: 500—1200 ml classified
20 mcg/dL Contractions: 2—5 minutes apart with 14. Drug Schedules
Tobramycin (Tobrex): 5—10 duration of < 90 seconds and intensity Schedule I—no currently accepted
mcg/mL (peak), 0.5—2.0 mcg/mL of <100 mmHg. medical use and for research use only
(valley) APGAR Scoring: Appearance, Pulses, (e.g., heroin, LSD, MDMA).
Valproic Acid (Depakene): 50— Grimace, Activity, Reflex Irritability. Done Schedule II—drugs with high potential
100 mcg/ml at 1 and 5 minutes with a score of 0 for for abuse and requires written
Vancomycin (Vancocin): 20—40 mcg/ml absent, 1 for decreased, and 2 for prescription (e.g., Ritalin,
(peak), 5 to 15 mcg/ml (trough) strongly positive. Scores 7 and above hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine
9. Anticoagulant therapy are generally normal, 4 to 6 fairly low, (Demerol), and fentanyl).
Sodium warfarin (Coumadin) PT: 10—12 and 3 and below are generally regarded Schedule III—requires new prescription
seconds (control). The antidote is as critically low. after six months or five refills (e.g.,
Vitamin K. AVA: The umbilical cord has two arteries codeine, testosterone, ketamine).
INR (Coumadin): 0.9—1.2 and one vein. Schedule IV—requires new prescription
Heparin PTT: 30—45 seconds 12. STOP—Treatment for maternal hypotension after six months (e.g., Darvon, Xanax,
(control). The antidote is protamine after an epidural anesthesia: Soma, and Valium).
sulfate. Stop infusion of Pitocin. Schedule V—dispensed as any other
APTT: 23.3—31.9 seconds Turn the client on her left side. prescription or without prescription
Fibrinogen level: 203—377 mg/dL Administer oxygen. (e.g., cough preparations, Lomotil,
10. Conversions If hypovolemia is present, push IV fluids. Motofen).
1 teaspoon (t) = 5 ml 13. Pregnancy Category of Drugs 15. Medication Classifications
1 tablespoon (T) = 3 t = 15 ml Category A—No risk in controlled human Antacids—reduces hydrochloric acid in
1 oz = 30 ml studies the stomach.
1 cup = 8 oz Category B—No risk in other studies. Antianemics—increases blood cell
1 quart = 2 pints Examples: Amoxicillin, Cefotaxime. production.
1 pint = 2 cups
1 grain (gr) = 60 mg
