This NCLEX-RN cram sheet or cheat sheet can help you prepare as it contains
condensed facts about the nurse licensure exam itself and key nursing
information. When your time to take the NCLEX comes, you can write or
transfer these vital information from your head to a blank sheet of paper
provided by the testing centre.
We all know that the final mountain that nursing students must summit before
becoming a registered nurse is passing the NCLEX. Reviewing and preparing
for the NCLEX can be stressful as taking in colossal amounts of information
has never been easy.
NCLEX-RN Cram Sheet
Test Information
Six hours – the maximum time allotted for the NCLEX is 6 hours.
Take breaks – Take breaks if you need a time out or need to move
around. First optional break is offered after 2 hours of testing, next is
offered after 3.5 hours of testing. All breaks count to your allotted six
hours.
75/265 – the minimum number of question you can answer is 75 and a
maximum of 265. Of the 75 questions, 60 will be scored question and
the remaining 15 are pretest or unscored questions.
Read the question and answers carefully – do not jump into
conclusions or make wild guesses. Read the entirety of the question
including its choices before selecting your final answer.
Look for keywords – avoid answers with absolutes like always, never,
all, every, only, must, except, none, or no.
Don’t read into the question – Never assume anything that has not
been specifically mentioned and don’t add extra meaning to the
question.
Eliminate answers that are clearly wrong or incorrect – to increase
your probability of selecting the correct answer!
Watch for grammatical inconsistencies – Subjects and verbs should
agree. If the question is an incomplete sentence, the correct answer
should complete the question in a grammatically correct manner.
Rephrase the question – putting the question into your own words can
pluck the unneeded info and reveal the core of the stem.
, Make an educated guess – if you can’t make the best answer for a
question after carefully reading it, choose the answer with the most
information.
New question types – New question types are added on the test. These
questions are found on the Special Research Section of the test, which
pops up after the candidate finishes the exam. These do not count
toward your score and are testing out the feasibility of the test question,
not the test-taker.
NCLEX Question Types
The following are the question types for the NCLEX-RN, all are included in the
NCLEX-RN cram sheet.
Multiple-Choice –These questions provide you with data about client
situation and given four options to choose from. Most common
question type.
Fill-in-the-Blank – This format is usually used for medication
calculation or computing an IV flow rate. Type only a number for your
answer in the box. Rounding an answer should be done at the end of
the calculation or as what the question specifies. Type in the decimal
point if necessary.
Multiple-Response – You’ll be asked to select all the option that relate
to the information asked by the question. There may be two or more
correct answers and no partial credit is given for correct selection.
Ordered-Response – In this format, you’ll be asked to use the
computer mouse to drag and drop your nursing actions in order or
priority. Based on the information presented, determine what you’ll do
first, second, third, and so forth. Directions are provided with the
question.
Figure or Hotspot – A picture or graphic will be presented along with a
question. This could contain a chart, a table, or an illustration where
you’ll be asked to point or click on a specific area. Figures may also
appear along with a multiple-choice question.
Chart/Exhibit –A chart or exhibit is presented along with a problem.
You’ll be provided with three tabs or buttons that you need to click to
obtain the information needed to answer the question.
Graphic Option – In this format, options are pictures rather than text.
Each option is preceded by a circle that you need to click to represent
your answer.
, Audio – In this format, you’ll be required to listen to a sound to answer
the question. You’ll need to use the headset provided and click on the
sound icon for it to play. You’ll be able to listen to the sound as many
times as necessary.
Video – This will require viewing of an animation or video clip to answer
the accompanying question.
Vital Signs
Heart rate: 80—100 bpm
Respiratory rate: 12-20 rpm
Blood pressure: 110-120/60 mmHg
Temperature: 37 °C (98.6 °F)
Hematology values
We’ve included in this NCLEX-RN cram sheet are the common laboratory and
diagnostic values you need to memorize for the exam.
RBCs 4.5 – 5.0 million per mm3
WBCs 4,500 – 11,000 per mm3
Neutrophils 60 – 70%
Lymphocytes 20 – 25%
Monocytes 3 – 8%
Eosinophils 2 – 4%
Basophils 0.5 – 1%
condensed facts about the nurse licensure exam itself and key nursing
information. When your time to take the NCLEX comes, you can write or
transfer these vital information from your head to a blank sheet of paper
provided by the testing centre.
We all know that the final mountain that nursing students must summit before
becoming a registered nurse is passing the NCLEX. Reviewing and preparing
for the NCLEX can be stressful as taking in colossal amounts of information
has never been easy.
NCLEX-RN Cram Sheet
Test Information
Six hours – the maximum time allotted for the NCLEX is 6 hours.
Take breaks – Take breaks if you need a time out or need to move
around. First optional break is offered after 2 hours of testing, next is
offered after 3.5 hours of testing. All breaks count to your allotted six
hours.
75/265 – the minimum number of question you can answer is 75 and a
maximum of 265. Of the 75 questions, 60 will be scored question and
the remaining 15 are pretest or unscored questions.
Read the question and answers carefully – do not jump into
conclusions or make wild guesses. Read the entirety of the question
including its choices before selecting your final answer.
Look for keywords – avoid answers with absolutes like always, never,
all, every, only, must, except, none, or no.
Don’t read into the question – Never assume anything that has not
been specifically mentioned and don’t add extra meaning to the
question.
Eliminate answers that are clearly wrong or incorrect – to increase
your probability of selecting the correct answer!
Watch for grammatical inconsistencies – Subjects and verbs should
agree. If the question is an incomplete sentence, the correct answer
should complete the question in a grammatically correct manner.
Rephrase the question – putting the question into your own words can
pluck the unneeded info and reveal the core of the stem.
, Make an educated guess – if you can’t make the best answer for a
question after carefully reading it, choose the answer with the most
information.
New question types – New question types are added on the test. These
questions are found on the Special Research Section of the test, which
pops up after the candidate finishes the exam. These do not count
toward your score and are testing out the feasibility of the test question,
not the test-taker.
NCLEX Question Types
The following are the question types for the NCLEX-RN, all are included in the
NCLEX-RN cram sheet.
Multiple-Choice –These questions provide you with data about client
situation and given four options to choose from. Most common
question type.
Fill-in-the-Blank – This format is usually used for medication
calculation or computing an IV flow rate. Type only a number for your
answer in the box. Rounding an answer should be done at the end of
the calculation or as what the question specifies. Type in the decimal
point if necessary.
Multiple-Response – You’ll be asked to select all the option that relate
to the information asked by the question. There may be two or more
correct answers and no partial credit is given for correct selection.
Ordered-Response – In this format, you’ll be asked to use the
computer mouse to drag and drop your nursing actions in order or
priority. Based on the information presented, determine what you’ll do
first, second, third, and so forth. Directions are provided with the
question.
Figure or Hotspot – A picture or graphic will be presented along with a
question. This could contain a chart, a table, or an illustration where
you’ll be asked to point or click on a specific area. Figures may also
appear along with a multiple-choice question.
Chart/Exhibit –A chart or exhibit is presented along with a problem.
You’ll be provided with three tabs or buttons that you need to click to
obtain the information needed to answer the question.
Graphic Option – In this format, options are pictures rather than text.
Each option is preceded by a circle that you need to click to represent
your answer.
, Audio – In this format, you’ll be required to listen to a sound to answer
the question. You’ll need to use the headset provided and click on the
sound icon for it to play. You’ll be able to listen to the sound as many
times as necessary.
Video – This will require viewing of an animation or video clip to answer
the accompanying question.
Vital Signs
Heart rate: 80—100 bpm
Respiratory rate: 12-20 rpm
Blood pressure: 110-120/60 mmHg
Temperature: 37 °C (98.6 °F)
Hematology values
We’ve included in this NCLEX-RN cram sheet are the common laboratory and
diagnostic values you need to memorize for the exam.
RBCs 4.5 – 5.0 million per mm3
WBCs 4,500 – 11,000 per mm3
Neutrophils 60 – 70%
Lymphocytes 20 – 25%
Monocytes 3 – 8%
Eosinophils 2 – 4%
Basophils 0.5 – 1%
