Exam Cram Sheet for the NCLEX-RN
Key Physiological Values
This section outlines essential normal ranges for various physiological parameters.
Understanding these values is crucial for assessing a patient's condition.
Vital Signs
Heart Rate: 80-100 beats per minute (bpm)
Respiratory Rate: 12-20 breaths per minute
Blood Pressure: 110-120 mmHg (systolic) / 60-80 mmHg (diastolic)
Blood Components
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): 4-6 million cells/mcL
White Blood Cells (WBCs): 5,000-11,000 cells/mcL
Platelets: 150,000-400,000 platelets/mcL
Hemoglobin (Hgb): 12-18 g/dL
Hematocrit (Hct): 36-54%
Serum Electrolytes
Sodium (Na+): 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium (K+): 3.5-5.3 mEq/L
Calcium (Ca2+): 9.0-10.5 mg/dL
Chloride (Cl-): 95-105 mEq/L
Magnesium (Mg2+): 1.5-2.5 mEq/L
Phosphorus (PO4 3-): 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Blood Gases
pH: 7.35-7.45
Bicarbonate (HCO3-): 22-26 mEq/L
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): 35-45 mmHg
Partial pressure of Oxygen (PaO2): 80-100 mmHg
Oxygen Saturation (SaO2): >95%
Metabolic Markers
, Glucose: 70-110 mg/dL
Specific Gravity (Urine): 1.010-1.030
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): 8-25 mg/dL
Serum Creatinine: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): 100-190 U/L
Total Protein: 6.2-8.1 g/dL
Albumin: 3.5-5.0 g/dL
Bilirubin:
o Infants Elevated: 10-20 mg/dL
o Toxic: >20 mg/dL
o Hospitalization Consideration: 14-15 mg/dL
Total Cholesterol: 130-200 mg/dL
Triglycerides: 40-50 mg/dL
Uric Acid: 3.5-7.5 mg/dL
Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK): 21-232 U/L
Therapeutic Drug Levels
This section outlines the therapeutic and toxic ranges for commonly monitored
medications.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol): 4-10 mcg/mL (for Seizures)
Digoxin (Lanoxin): 1-2 ng/mL (>2 ng/mL is Toxic) (for Atrial Fibrillation,
Congestive Heart Failure)
o Key Nursing Consideration: Assess pulses for a full minute; hold
dose if less than 60 bpm. Check digitalis and potassium levels.
Gentamicin (Garamycin): 5-10 mcg/mL (Antibiotic)
Lithium (Eskalith): 0.6-1.2 mEq/L (for Mania)
Phenobarbital (Solfoton): 15-40 mcg/mL
Phenytoin (Dilantin): 10-20 mcg/mL (>20 mcg/mL is Toxic) (for Seizures)
Theophylline (Aminophylline): 10-20 mcg/mL (>20 mcg/mL is Toxic) (for
Airway Spasms)
Tobramycin (Tobrex): 5-10 mcg/mL (Antibiotic)
Valproic Acid (Depakene): 50-100 mcg/mL (for Seizures)
Vancomycin (Vancocin): 20-40 mcg/mL (peak); 5-15 mcg/mL (trough)
Anticoagulant Therapy Monitoring
Warfarin (Coumadin):
o Prothrombin Time (PT): 11.0-12.5 seconds
Key Physiological Values
This section outlines essential normal ranges for various physiological parameters.
Understanding these values is crucial for assessing a patient's condition.
Vital Signs
Heart Rate: 80-100 beats per minute (bpm)
Respiratory Rate: 12-20 breaths per minute
Blood Pressure: 110-120 mmHg (systolic) / 60-80 mmHg (diastolic)
Blood Components
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): 4-6 million cells/mcL
White Blood Cells (WBCs): 5,000-11,000 cells/mcL
Platelets: 150,000-400,000 platelets/mcL
Hemoglobin (Hgb): 12-18 g/dL
Hematocrit (Hct): 36-54%
Serum Electrolytes
Sodium (Na+): 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium (K+): 3.5-5.3 mEq/L
Calcium (Ca2+): 9.0-10.5 mg/dL
Chloride (Cl-): 95-105 mEq/L
Magnesium (Mg2+): 1.5-2.5 mEq/L
Phosphorus (PO4 3-): 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Blood Gases
pH: 7.35-7.45
Bicarbonate (HCO3-): 22-26 mEq/L
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): 35-45 mmHg
Partial pressure of Oxygen (PaO2): 80-100 mmHg
Oxygen Saturation (SaO2): >95%
Metabolic Markers
, Glucose: 70-110 mg/dL
Specific Gravity (Urine): 1.010-1.030
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): 8-25 mg/dL
Serum Creatinine: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH): 100-190 U/L
Total Protein: 6.2-8.1 g/dL
Albumin: 3.5-5.0 g/dL
Bilirubin:
o Infants Elevated: 10-20 mg/dL
o Toxic: >20 mg/dL
o Hospitalization Consideration: 14-15 mg/dL
Total Cholesterol: 130-200 mg/dL
Triglycerides: 40-50 mg/dL
Uric Acid: 3.5-7.5 mg/dL
Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK): 21-232 U/L
Therapeutic Drug Levels
This section outlines the therapeutic and toxic ranges for commonly monitored
medications.
Carbamazepine (Tegretol): 4-10 mcg/mL (for Seizures)
Digoxin (Lanoxin): 1-2 ng/mL (>2 ng/mL is Toxic) (for Atrial Fibrillation,
Congestive Heart Failure)
o Key Nursing Consideration: Assess pulses for a full minute; hold
dose if less than 60 bpm. Check digitalis and potassium levels.
Gentamicin (Garamycin): 5-10 mcg/mL (Antibiotic)
Lithium (Eskalith): 0.6-1.2 mEq/L (for Mania)
Phenobarbital (Solfoton): 15-40 mcg/mL
Phenytoin (Dilantin): 10-20 mcg/mL (>20 mcg/mL is Toxic) (for Seizures)
Theophylline (Aminophylline): 10-20 mcg/mL (>20 mcg/mL is Toxic) (for
Airway Spasms)
Tobramycin (Tobrex): 5-10 mcg/mL (Antibiotic)
Valproic Acid (Depakene): 50-100 mcg/mL (for Seizures)
Vancomycin (Vancocin): 20-40 mcg/mL (peak); 5-15 mcg/mL (trough)
Anticoagulant Therapy Monitoring
Warfarin (Coumadin):
o Prothrombin Time (PT): 11.0-12.5 seconds
