NCLEX-Study-Guide
DO NOT delegate what you can EAT!
E - evaluate
A - assess
T - teach
addisons= down, down down up down
cushings= up up up down up
addisons= hyponatremia, hypotension, decreased blood vol, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia
cushings= hypernatremia, hypertension, incrased blood vol, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia
No Pee, no K (do not give potassium without adequate urine output)
EleVate Veins; dAngle Arteries for better perfusion
A= appearance (color all pink, pink and blue, blue [pale])
P= pulse (>100, < 100, absent)
G= grimace (cough, grimace, no response)
A= activity (flexed, flaccid, limp)
R= respirations (strong cry, weak cry, absent)
TRANSMISSION-BASED PRECAUTIONS:
AIRBORNE
My - Measles
Chicken - Chicken Pox/Varicella
Hez - Herpez Zoster/Shingles
TB
or remember...
MTV=Airborne
Measles
TB
Varicella-Chicken Pox/Herpes Zoster-Shingles
Private Room - negative pressure with 6-12 air exchanges/hr
Mask, N95 for TB
DROPLET
think of SPIDERMAN!
S - sepsis
S - scarlet fever
S - streptococcal pharyngitis
P - parvovirus B19
P - pneumonia
P - pertussis
I - influenza
D - diptheria (pharyngeal)
E - epiglottitis
R - rubella
M - mumps
M - meningitis
M - mycoplasma or meningeal pneumonia
An - Adenovirus
Private Room or cohort
Mask
1
,NCLEX-Study-Guide
CONTACT PRECAUTION
MRS.WEE
M - multidrug resistant organism
R - respiratory infection
S - skin infections *
W - wound infxn
E - enteric infxn - clostridium difficile
E - eye infxn - conjunctivitis
SKIN INFECTIONS
VCHIPS
V - varicella zoster
C - cutaneous diphtheria
H - herpez simplex
I - impetigo
P - pediculosis
S - scabies
1. Air/Pulmonary Embolism (S&S: chest pain, difficulty breathing, tachycardia, pale/cyanotic,
sense of impending doom) --> turn pt to left side and lower the head of the bed.
2. Woman in Labor w/ Un-reassuring FHR (late decels, decreased variability, fetal
bradycardia, etc) --> turn on left side (and give O2, stop Pitocin, increase IV fluids)
3. Tube Feeding w/ Decreased LOC --> position pt on right side (promotes emptying of the
stomach) with the HOB elevated (to prevent aspiration)
4. During Epidural Puncture --> side-lying
5. After Lumbar Puncture (and also oil-based Myelogram)--> pt lies in flat supine (to prevent
headache and leaking of CSF)
6. Pt w/ Heat Stroke --> lie flat w/ legs elevated
7. During Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI) --> catheter is taped to thigh so leg should be
kept straight. No other positioning restrictions.
8. After Myringotomy --> position on side of affected ear after surgery (allows drainage of
secretions)
9. After Cataract Surgery --> pt will sleep on unaffected side with a night shield for 1-4
weeks.
10. After Thyroidectomy --> low or semi-Fowler's, support head, neck and shoulders.
11. Infant w/ Spina Bifida --> position prone (on abdomen) so that sac does not rupture
12. Buck's Traction (skin traction) --> elevate foot of bed for counter-traction
13. After Total Hip Replacement --> don't sleep on operated side, don't flex hip more than 45-
60 degrees, don't elevate HOB more than 45 degrees. Maintain hip abduction by separating
thighs with pillows.
14. Prolapsed Cord --> knee-chest position or Trendelenburg
2
,NCLEX-Study-Guide
15. Infant w/ Cleft Lip --> position on back or in infant seat to prevent trauma to suture line.
While feeding, hold in upright position.
16. To Prevent Dumping Syndrome (post-operative ulcer/stomach surgeries) --> eat in
reclining position, lie down after meals for 20-30 minutes (also restrict fluids during meals, low
CHO and fiber diet, small frequent meals)
17. Above Knee Amputation --> elevate for first 24 hours on pillow, position prone daily to
provide for hip extension.
18. Below Knee Amputation --> foot of bed elevated for first 24 hours, position prone daily to
provide for hip extension.
19. Detached Retina --> area of detachment should be in the dependent position
20. Administration of Enema --> position pt in left side-lying (Sim's) with knee flexed
21. After Supratentorial Surgery (incision behind hairline) --> elevate HOB 30-45 degrees
22. After Infratentorial Surgery (incision at nape of neck)--> position pt flat and lateral on
either side.
23. During Internal Radiation --> on bedrest while implant in place
24. Autonomic Dysreflexia/Hyperreflexia (S&S: pounding headache, profuse sweating, nasal
congestion, goose flesh, bradycardia, hypertension) --> place client in sitting position (elevate
HOB) first before any other implementation.
25. Shock --> bedrest with extremities elevated 20 degrees, knees straight, head slightly
elevated (modified Trendelenburg)
26. Head Injury --> elevate HOB 30 degrees to decrease intracranial pressure
27. Peritoneal Dialysis when Outflow is Inadequate --> turn pt from side to side BEFORE
checking for kinks in tubing (according to Kaplan)
28. Lumbar puncture => AFTER the procedure, the client should be placed in the supine
position for 4 to 12 hrs as prescribed. (Saunders 3rd ed p. 229)
Demorol for pancreatitis, NOT morphine sulfate
Myasthenia Gravis: worsens with exercise and improves with rest.
Myasthenia Crisis: a positive reaction to Tensilon--will improve symptoms
Cholinergic Crisis: caused by excessive medication-stop med-giving Tensilon will make it worse
Head injury medication: Mannitol (osmotic diuretic)-crystallizes at room temp so ALWAYS use
filter needle
Prior to a liver biospy its important to be aware of the lab result for prothrombin time
From the a** (diarrhea)= metabolic acidosis
From the mouth (vomitus)=metabolic alkalosis
Myxedema/hypothyroidism: slowed physical and mental function, sensitivity to cold, dry skin
and hair
3
, NCLEX-Study-Guide
Graves’ disease/hyperthyroidism: accelerated physical and mental function; sensitivity to
heat, fine/soft hair
Thyroid storm: increased temp, pulse and HTN
Post-thyroidectomy: semi-Fowler’s, prevent ncek flexion/hyperextension, trach at bedside
Hypo-parathyroid: CATS – convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms, stridor (decreased
calcium), high Ca, low phosphorus diet
Hyper-parathyroid: fatigue, muscle weakness, renal calculi, back and joint pain (increased
calcium), low Ca, high phosphorus diet
Hypovolemia – incrased temp, rapid/weak pulse, increase respiration, hypotension, anxiety,
urine specific gravity >1.030
Hypervolemia – bounding pulse, SOB, dyspnea, rares/crackles, peripheral edema, HTN, urine
specific gravity <1.010; Semi-Fowler’s
Diabetes Insipidus (decreased ADH): excessive urine output and thirst, dehydration,
weakness, administer Pitressin
SIADH (increased ADH): change in LOC, decreased deep tendon reflexes, tachycardia, n/v/a,
HA; administer Declomycin, diuretics
Hypokalemia: muscle ewakness, dysrhythmias, increase K (raisins, bananas, apricots, oranges,
beans, potatoes, carrots, celery)
Hyperkalemia: MURDER – muscle weakness, urine (oliguria/anuria), respiratory depression,
decreased cardiac contractility, ECG changes, reflexes
Hyponatremia: nausea, muscle cramps, increased ICP, muscular twitching, convulsion; osmotic
diuretics, fluids
Hypernatremia: increased temp, weakness, disorientation/delusions, hypotension, tachycardia;
hypotonic solution
Hypocalcemia: CATS – convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms and stridor
Hypercalcemia: muscle weakness, lack of coordination, abdominal pain, confusion, absent
tendon reflexes, sedative effect on CNS
HypoMg: tremors, tetany, seizures, dyrshythmias, depression, confusion, dysphagia; dig
toxicity HyperMg: depresses the CNS, hypotension, facial flushing, muscle ewakness, absent
deep tendon reflexes, shallow respirations, emergency
Addison’s: hypoNa, hyperK, hypoglycemia, dark pigmentation, decreased resistance to stress,
fractures, alopecia, weight loss, GI distress
Cushings: hyperNa, hypoK, hyperglycemia, prone to infection, muscle wasting, weakness,
edema, HTN, hirsutism, moonface/buffalo hump
Addisonian crisis: n/v, confusion, abdominal pain, extreme weakness, hypoglycemia,
dehydration, decreased BP
Pheochromocytoma: hypersecretion of epi/norepi, persistent HTN, increased HR,
hyperglycemia, diaphoresis, tremor, pounding HA; avoid stress, frequent bating and rest breaks,
avoid cold and stimulating foods, surgery to remove tumor
1. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS):
-NMS is like S&M;
-you get hot (hyperpyrexia)
-stiff (increased muscle tone)
-sweaty (diaphoresis)
-BP, pulse, and respirations go up &
-you start to drool
4
DO NOT delegate what you can EAT!
E - evaluate
A - assess
T - teach
addisons= down, down down up down
cushings= up up up down up
addisons= hyponatremia, hypotension, decreased blood vol, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia
cushings= hypernatremia, hypertension, incrased blood vol, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia
No Pee, no K (do not give potassium without adequate urine output)
EleVate Veins; dAngle Arteries for better perfusion
A= appearance (color all pink, pink and blue, blue [pale])
P= pulse (>100, < 100, absent)
G= grimace (cough, grimace, no response)
A= activity (flexed, flaccid, limp)
R= respirations (strong cry, weak cry, absent)
TRANSMISSION-BASED PRECAUTIONS:
AIRBORNE
My - Measles
Chicken - Chicken Pox/Varicella
Hez - Herpez Zoster/Shingles
TB
or remember...
MTV=Airborne
Measles
TB
Varicella-Chicken Pox/Herpes Zoster-Shingles
Private Room - negative pressure with 6-12 air exchanges/hr
Mask, N95 for TB
DROPLET
think of SPIDERMAN!
S - sepsis
S - scarlet fever
S - streptococcal pharyngitis
P - parvovirus B19
P - pneumonia
P - pertussis
I - influenza
D - diptheria (pharyngeal)
E - epiglottitis
R - rubella
M - mumps
M - meningitis
M - mycoplasma or meningeal pneumonia
An - Adenovirus
Private Room or cohort
Mask
1
,NCLEX-Study-Guide
CONTACT PRECAUTION
MRS.WEE
M - multidrug resistant organism
R - respiratory infection
S - skin infections *
W - wound infxn
E - enteric infxn - clostridium difficile
E - eye infxn - conjunctivitis
SKIN INFECTIONS
VCHIPS
V - varicella zoster
C - cutaneous diphtheria
H - herpez simplex
I - impetigo
P - pediculosis
S - scabies
1. Air/Pulmonary Embolism (S&S: chest pain, difficulty breathing, tachycardia, pale/cyanotic,
sense of impending doom) --> turn pt to left side and lower the head of the bed.
2. Woman in Labor w/ Un-reassuring FHR (late decels, decreased variability, fetal
bradycardia, etc) --> turn on left side (and give O2, stop Pitocin, increase IV fluids)
3. Tube Feeding w/ Decreased LOC --> position pt on right side (promotes emptying of the
stomach) with the HOB elevated (to prevent aspiration)
4. During Epidural Puncture --> side-lying
5. After Lumbar Puncture (and also oil-based Myelogram)--> pt lies in flat supine (to prevent
headache and leaking of CSF)
6. Pt w/ Heat Stroke --> lie flat w/ legs elevated
7. During Continuous Bladder Irrigation (CBI) --> catheter is taped to thigh so leg should be
kept straight. No other positioning restrictions.
8. After Myringotomy --> position on side of affected ear after surgery (allows drainage of
secretions)
9. After Cataract Surgery --> pt will sleep on unaffected side with a night shield for 1-4
weeks.
10. After Thyroidectomy --> low or semi-Fowler's, support head, neck and shoulders.
11. Infant w/ Spina Bifida --> position prone (on abdomen) so that sac does not rupture
12. Buck's Traction (skin traction) --> elevate foot of bed for counter-traction
13. After Total Hip Replacement --> don't sleep on operated side, don't flex hip more than 45-
60 degrees, don't elevate HOB more than 45 degrees. Maintain hip abduction by separating
thighs with pillows.
14. Prolapsed Cord --> knee-chest position or Trendelenburg
2
,NCLEX-Study-Guide
15. Infant w/ Cleft Lip --> position on back or in infant seat to prevent trauma to suture line.
While feeding, hold in upright position.
16. To Prevent Dumping Syndrome (post-operative ulcer/stomach surgeries) --> eat in
reclining position, lie down after meals for 20-30 minutes (also restrict fluids during meals, low
CHO and fiber diet, small frequent meals)
17. Above Knee Amputation --> elevate for first 24 hours on pillow, position prone daily to
provide for hip extension.
18. Below Knee Amputation --> foot of bed elevated for first 24 hours, position prone daily to
provide for hip extension.
19. Detached Retina --> area of detachment should be in the dependent position
20. Administration of Enema --> position pt in left side-lying (Sim's) with knee flexed
21. After Supratentorial Surgery (incision behind hairline) --> elevate HOB 30-45 degrees
22. After Infratentorial Surgery (incision at nape of neck)--> position pt flat and lateral on
either side.
23. During Internal Radiation --> on bedrest while implant in place
24. Autonomic Dysreflexia/Hyperreflexia (S&S: pounding headache, profuse sweating, nasal
congestion, goose flesh, bradycardia, hypertension) --> place client in sitting position (elevate
HOB) first before any other implementation.
25. Shock --> bedrest with extremities elevated 20 degrees, knees straight, head slightly
elevated (modified Trendelenburg)
26. Head Injury --> elevate HOB 30 degrees to decrease intracranial pressure
27. Peritoneal Dialysis when Outflow is Inadequate --> turn pt from side to side BEFORE
checking for kinks in tubing (according to Kaplan)
28. Lumbar puncture => AFTER the procedure, the client should be placed in the supine
position for 4 to 12 hrs as prescribed. (Saunders 3rd ed p. 229)
Demorol for pancreatitis, NOT morphine sulfate
Myasthenia Gravis: worsens with exercise and improves with rest.
Myasthenia Crisis: a positive reaction to Tensilon--will improve symptoms
Cholinergic Crisis: caused by excessive medication-stop med-giving Tensilon will make it worse
Head injury medication: Mannitol (osmotic diuretic)-crystallizes at room temp so ALWAYS use
filter needle
Prior to a liver biospy its important to be aware of the lab result for prothrombin time
From the a** (diarrhea)= metabolic acidosis
From the mouth (vomitus)=metabolic alkalosis
Myxedema/hypothyroidism: slowed physical and mental function, sensitivity to cold, dry skin
and hair
3
, NCLEX-Study-Guide
Graves’ disease/hyperthyroidism: accelerated physical and mental function; sensitivity to
heat, fine/soft hair
Thyroid storm: increased temp, pulse and HTN
Post-thyroidectomy: semi-Fowler’s, prevent ncek flexion/hyperextension, trach at bedside
Hypo-parathyroid: CATS – convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms, stridor (decreased
calcium), high Ca, low phosphorus diet
Hyper-parathyroid: fatigue, muscle weakness, renal calculi, back and joint pain (increased
calcium), low Ca, high phosphorus diet
Hypovolemia – incrased temp, rapid/weak pulse, increase respiration, hypotension, anxiety,
urine specific gravity >1.030
Hypervolemia – bounding pulse, SOB, dyspnea, rares/crackles, peripheral edema, HTN, urine
specific gravity <1.010; Semi-Fowler’s
Diabetes Insipidus (decreased ADH): excessive urine output and thirst, dehydration,
weakness, administer Pitressin
SIADH (increased ADH): change in LOC, decreased deep tendon reflexes, tachycardia, n/v/a,
HA; administer Declomycin, diuretics
Hypokalemia: muscle ewakness, dysrhythmias, increase K (raisins, bananas, apricots, oranges,
beans, potatoes, carrots, celery)
Hyperkalemia: MURDER – muscle weakness, urine (oliguria/anuria), respiratory depression,
decreased cardiac contractility, ECG changes, reflexes
Hyponatremia: nausea, muscle cramps, increased ICP, muscular twitching, convulsion; osmotic
diuretics, fluids
Hypernatremia: increased temp, weakness, disorientation/delusions, hypotension, tachycardia;
hypotonic solution
Hypocalcemia: CATS – convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms and stridor
Hypercalcemia: muscle weakness, lack of coordination, abdominal pain, confusion, absent
tendon reflexes, sedative effect on CNS
HypoMg: tremors, tetany, seizures, dyrshythmias, depression, confusion, dysphagia; dig
toxicity HyperMg: depresses the CNS, hypotension, facial flushing, muscle ewakness, absent
deep tendon reflexes, shallow respirations, emergency
Addison’s: hypoNa, hyperK, hypoglycemia, dark pigmentation, decreased resistance to stress,
fractures, alopecia, weight loss, GI distress
Cushings: hyperNa, hypoK, hyperglycemia, prone to infection, muscle wasting, weakness,
edema, HTN, hirsutism, moonface/buffalo hump
Addisonian crisis: n/v, confusion, abdominal pain, extreme weakness, hypoglycemia,
dehydration, decreased BP
Pheochromocytoma: hypersecretion of epi/norepi, persistent HTN, increased HR,
hyperglycemia, diaphoresis, tremor, pounding HA; avoid stress, frequent bating and rest breaks,
avoid cold and stimulating foods, surgery to remove tumor
1. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS):
-NMS is like S&M;
-you get hot (hyperpyrexia)
-stiff (increased muscle tone)
-sweaty (diaphoresis)
-BP, pulse, and respirations go up &
-you start to drool
4
