NCLEX-RN Exam Cram Sheet | Key Lab Values, Medications, Positioning & Critical Nursing Concepts | 2025 Nursing Prep

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