NCLEX-RN EXAM REVIEW
When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority what
should you or use and what is the exception? Correct answers Use the ABC
remember
rule: Airwayand circulation. The exception to the rule is with actual CPR, use
breathing,
C-A-BAlso
CPR. for remember safety first and acute before chronic. If the pt. is not
in distress
then you assess. If the pt is in distress then you should do something. If
the pt has you should always do
diaphorisis
something.
How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs Correct
answers Address physiological needs first, followed by safety and security
needs,
and love
belonging needs, self esteem needs and finally self actualization
needs. *Whenneed
physiological a is not addressed in the question, look for the option that
addresses
safety
.
If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to determine
step of process. What are the steps in the nursing process and
the nursing
what kindmight
question of be related to that step. Correct answers Assessment
question
the address
gathering and verification of
data.
Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect additional
information,
identify and communicate nursing diagnoses and determine the health
team'sthe
meet ability
pts to
needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying
outcomes of care.
Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of
care and theand delegation of tasks. Be prepared for questions on client
assignment
teaching.
Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care with
the expected
outcomes and on communicating and documenting
findings.
What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing
implications
answers Hemoglobin
Correct - Male 14-18 Female 12-16
Newborn 14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy. Drug
therapy can
alter
values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn
44-64
Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can
alter values. in RBC size may alter Hct
Abnormalities
values
,What are the normal ranges for
WBC?
What can increase
values?
What can decrease
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal ranges?
values?
What
is range
normal during the postpartum period? Correct answers Both genders
5000-10000
Newborn 9000-
30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased
values.
Drug therapy can decrease
values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is
normal
What are the normal ranges for
RBC?
What can increase
levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? Correct answers Males: 4.7-
6.1 million
Female: 4.2-5.4
million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase
levels
pregnancy usually lower
values
drug therapy can alter
values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an
infusing IV.
What are the normal ranges for
PLATELETS?
What may increase
values?
What may decrease
What drugs decrease values? Correct answers Both Genders:
values?
150000-400000
Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral
contraceptives may
increase
values
decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced production of
platelets,
infections, use of prosthetic heart valves, and
drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy,
H2 blockers,
INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide
diuretics.
What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind
when getting
specimen? a
Correct answers 3.5-5 is normal range for
potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an
increased level.
Hemolysis of specimen can result in a falsely
elevated value
What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider when
collecting aCorrect answers 136-145 is a normal
specimen?
sodium
Do range from an arm with an infusing IV
Not collect
solution
What are the normal ranges for
Ca+?
, What type of drug can increase calcium
levels?
What are two tests with positive results that are associated with
hypocalcemia?
How do you preform the two tests? Correct answers 9-10.5 for adults.
slightly lower in
the
elder
Use of thiazide diuretics can cause increased levels of
calcium
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau tests are associated with
hypocalcemia.
• Chvostek sign: contraction of ipsilateral facial muscles when the facial
nerve
just is tapped
in front of the
ear.
• Trousseau sign: carpopedal spasm elicited by inflating a
sphygmomanometer
systolic BP for 3 above
minutes.
What are the normal ranges for
Mg+?
What may high magnesium levels
indicate?
What may low magnesium levels indicate? Correct answers
1.7-2.2
A high magnesium level may indicate: Addison
disease
Chronic renal failure, Dehydration, Diabetic
acidosis
Oliguri
a
A low magnesium level may indicate:
Alcoholism
Chronic diarrhea, Delirium tremens,
Hemodialysis
Hepatic (liver) cirrhosis,
Hyperaldosteronism
Hypoparathyroidism, Pancreatitis, Too much
insulin
Toxemia of pregnancy, Ulcerative
colitis
What are the normal ranges for Cl- Correct answers 98-106 is the normal
range for
chlorid
e
What are the normal ranges for ALP (alkaline phosphatase)? Correct
answersincreased
slightly 30-120 in the
elderly
What are the normal ranges for
BUN?
What does BUN stand
What is the ratio of BUN-
for?
creatinine?
What does it indicate? Correct answers
10-20
blood urea
nitrogen
BUN-creatinine ratio of 20:1 indicates adequate kidney
functioning
What are the normal ranges for
Creatinine?
What is the ratio of BUN-
creatinine?
What does it indicate? Correct answers Male
0.6-1.2
Female 0.5-
1.1
BUN-creatinine ratio of 20:1 indicates adequate kidney
functioning
When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority what
should you or use and what is the exception? Correct answers Use the ABC
remember
rule: Airwayand circulation. The exception to the rule is with actual CPR, use
breathing,
C-A-BAlso
CPR. for remember safety first and acute before chronic. If the pt. is not
in distress
then you assess. If the pt is in distress then you should do something. If
the pt has you should always do
diaphorisis
something.
How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs Correct
answers Address physiological needs first, followed by safety and security
needs,
and love
belonging needs, self esteem needs and finally self actualization
needs. *Whenneed
physiological a is not addressed in the question, look for the option that
addresses
safety
.
If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to determine
step of process. What are the steps in the nursing process and
the nursing
what kindmight
question of be related to that step. Correct answers Assessment
question
the address
gathering and verification of
data.
Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect additional
information,
identify and communicate nursing diagnoses and determine the health
team'sthe
meet ability
pts to
needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying
outcomes of care.
Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of
care and theand delegation of tasks. Be prepared for questions on client
assignment
teaching.
Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care with
the expected
outcomes and on communicating and documenting
findings.
What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing
implications
answers Hemoglobin
Correct - Male 14-18 Female 12-16
Newborn 14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy. Drug
therapy can
alter
values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn
44-64
Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can
alter values. in RBC size may alter Hct
Abnormalities
values
,What are the normal ranges for
WBC?
What can increase
values?
What can decrease
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal ranges?
values?
What
is range
normal during the postpartum period? Correct answers Both genders
5000-10000
Newborn 9000-
30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased
values.
Drug therapy can decrease
values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is
normal
What are the normal ranges for
RBC?
What can increase
levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? Correct answers Males: 4.7-
6.1 million
Female: 4.2-5.4
million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase
levels
pregnancy usually lower
values
drug therapy can alter
values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an
infusing IV.
What are the normal ranges for
PLATELETS?
What may increase
values?
What may decrease
What drugs decrease values? Correct answers Both Genders:
values?
150000-400000
Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral
contraceptives may
increase
values
decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced production of
platelets,
infections, use of prosthetic heart valves, and
drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy,
H2 blockers,
INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide
diuretics.
What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind
when getting
specimen? a
Correct answers 3.5-5 is normal range for
potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an
increased level.
Hemolysis of specimen can result in a falsely
elevated value
What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider when
collecting aCorrect answers 136-145 is a normal
specimen?
sodium
Do range from an arm with an infusing IV
Not collect
solution
What are the normal ranges for
Ca+?
, What type of drug can increase calcium
levels?
What are two tests with positive results that are associated with
hypocalcemia?
How do you preform the two tests? Correct answers 9-10.5 for adults.
slightly lower in
the
elder
Use of thiazide diuretics can cause increased levels of
calcium
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau tests are associated with
hypocalcemia.
• Chvostek sign: contraction of ipsilateral facial muscles when the facial
nerve
just is tapped
in front of the
ear.
• Trousseau sign: carpopedal spasm elicited by inflating a
sphygmomanometer
systolic BP for 3 above
minutes.
What are the normal ranges for
Mg+?
What may high magnesium levels
indicate?
What may low magnesium levels indicate? Correct answers
1.7-2.2
A high magnesium level may indicate: Addison
disease
Chronic renal failure, Dehydration, Diabetic
acidosis
Oliguri
a
A low magnesium level may indicate:
Alcoholism
Chronic diarrhea, Delirium tremens,
Hemodialysis
Hepatic (liver) cirrhosis,
Hyperaldosteronism
Hypoparathyroidism, Pancreatitis, Too much
insulin
Toxemia of pregnancy, Ulcerative
colitis
What are the normal ranges for Cl- Correct answers 98-106 is the normal
range for
chlorid
e
What are the normal ranges for ALP (alkaline phosphatase)? Correct
answersincreased
slightly 30-120 in the
elderly
What are the normal ranges for
BUN?
What does BUN stand
What is the ratio of BUN-
for?
creatinine?
What does it indicate? Correct answers
10-20
blood urea
nitrogen
BUN-creatinine ratio of 20:1 indicates adequate kidney
functioning
What are the normal ranges for
Creatinine?
What is the ratio of BUN-
creatinine?
What does it indicate? Correct answers Male
0.6-1.2
Female 0.5-
1.1
BUN-creatinine ratio of 20:1 indicates adequate kidney
functioning
