NCLEX-RN Exam Cram Sheet Your Key to Success
Navigating the NCLEX-RN can feel overwhelming, but this concise cram sheet is
designed to help you focus on essential information for the licensure exam. Use
this to transfer key facts to the provided blank sheet just before your test.
1. Mastering the Test
Time Allocation: You have a maximum of six hours for the NCLEX.
Remember to utilize breaks for mental and physical refreshment.
Question Range: The exam can range from a minimum of 75 to a maximum
of 265 questions, adapting based on your performance.
Critical Reading: Carefully read each question and all answer choices
before making a selection. Avoid hasty conclusions or random guesses.
Identifying Keywords: Be wary of answers containing absolute terms such
as always, never, all, every, only, must, except, none, or no. These are often
incorrect.
Avoiding Assumptions: Answer solely based on the information provided
in the question. Do not introduce outside assumptions or interpretations.
Strategic Elimination: Increase your chances of selecting the correct
answer by eliminating options that are clearly wrong or irrelevant.
Grammatical Harmony: Pay attention to grammatical consistency
between the question stem and the answer choices. Subjects and verbs
should agree.
Rephrasing for Clarity: Putting the question into your own words can help
you identify the core issue and filter out unnecessary details.
Educated Guessing: If unsure after careful consideration, make an
informed guess by choosing the answer that seems most comprehensive or
directly addresses the question.
2. Essential Vital Signs
Maintain awareness of these standard ranges:
Heart Rate: 80-100 bpm
Respiratory Rate: 12-20 rpm
Blood Pressure: 110-120/60 mmHg
Temperature: 37 °C (98.6 °F)
, 3. Key Hematology Values
Understanding these blood component levels is crucial:
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): 4.5-5.0 million
White Blood Cells (WBCs): 5,000-10,000
Platelets: 200,000-400,000
Hemoglobin (Hgb): 12-16 gm (female); 14-18 gm (male)
Hematocrit (Hct): 37-47 (female); 40-54 (male)
4. Important Serum Electrolytes
Monitor these electrolyte balances:
Sodium (Na+): 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium (K+): 3.5-5.5 mEq/L
Calcium (Ca2+): 8.5-10.9 mEq/L
Chloride (Cl-): 95-105 mEq/L
Magnesium (Mg2+): 1.5-2.5 mEq/L
Phosphorus (PO43-): 2.5-4.5 mEq/L
5. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Values
Mastering ABG interpretation is vital:
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%
6. Decoding Acid-Base Balance
ROME Mnemonic: Remember Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal to
understand the relationship between pH and other components in acid-base
disorders.
Tic-Tac-Toe Method: Utilize this visual aid for interpreting ABGs
7. Key Chemistry Values
Familiarize yourself with these common lab results:
Navigating the NCLEX-RN can feel overwhelming, but this concise cram sheet is
designed to help you focus on essential information for the licensure exam. Use
this to transfer key facts to the provided blank sheet just before your test.
1. Mastering the Test
Time Allocation: You have a maximum of six hours for the NCLEX.
Remember to utilize breaks for mental and physical refreshment.
Question Range: The exam can range from a minimum of 75 to a maximum
of 265 questions, adapting based on your performance.
Critical Reading: Carefully read each question and all answer choices
before making a selection. Avoid hasty conclusions or random guesses.
Identifying Keywords: Be wary of answers containing absolute terms such
as always, never, all, every, only, must, except, none, or no. These are often
incorrect.
Avoiding Assumptions: Answer solely based on the information provided
in the question. Do not introduce outside assumptions or interpretations.
Strategic Elimination: Increase your chances of selecting the correct
answer by eliminating options that are clearly wrong or irrelevant.
Grammatical Harmony: Pay attention to grammatical consistency
between the question stem and the answer choices. Subjects and verbs
should agree.
Rephrasing for Clarity: Putting the question into your own words can help
you identify the core issue and filter out unnecessary details.
Educated Guessing: If unsure after careful consideration, make an
informed guess by choosing the answer that seems most comprehensive or
directly addresses the question.
2. Essential Vital Signs
Maintain awareness of these standard ranges:
Heart Rate: 80-100 bpm
Respiratory Rate: 12-20 rpm
Blood Pressure: 110-120/60 mmHg
Temperature: 37 °C (98.6 °F)
, 3. Key Hematology Values
Understanding these blood component levels is crucial:
Red Blood Cells (RBCs): 4.5-5.0 million
White Blood Cells (WBCs): 5,000-10,000
Platelets: 200,000-400,000
Hemoglobin (Hgb): 12-16 gm (female); 14-18 gm (male)
Hematocrit (Hct): 37-47 (female); 40-54 (male)
4. Important Serum Electrolytes
Monitor these electrolyte balances:
Sodium (Na+): 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium (K+): 3.5-5.5 mEq/L
Calcium (Ca2+): 8.5-10.9 mEq/L
Chloride (Cl-): 95-105 mEq/L
Magnesium (Mg2+): 1.5-2.5 mEq/L
Phosphorus (PO43-): 2.5-4.5 mEq/L
5. Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Values
Mastering ABG interpretation is vital:
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%
6. Decoding Acid-Base Balance
ROME Mnemonic: Remember Respiratory Opposite, Metabolic Equal to
understand the relationship between pH and other components in acid-base
disorders.
Tic-Tac-Toe Method: Utilize this visual aid for interpreting ABGs
7. Key Chemistry Values
Familiarize yourself with these common lab results:
