lab values for the nclex

vashtee, RN · Jun 16, 2008

what?

Sorry, perhaps you haven't actually started nursing school yet? Because those prefixes are so commonplace, I assumed every student would know what they meant.

adio412 · Jun 20, 2008

ttt still looking for a place for pharm

Surgical_RN08 · Jun 20, 2008

what?

i think they mean like for example hyperkalemia v/s hypokalemia...the signs and symptoms the pt would experience.

Anyausa215 · Jun 20, 2008

many of different resources give you different lab values. I noticed this same thing, and was driving me crazy.

Example? Kaplan NCLEX-RN questions give you answer about Lithium toxicity 1.5. Over that patient will have real life threating problems. If you answer that toxicity begin let say at 1.6 you are in trouble.

Ok, how about other resources?

Drexel NCLEX-RN online course tells you that Lithium toxicity is at ....2.0!!!!! his is huge difference and dont try to answer this way.

I think keep in mind what Kaplan lab values says. They are pretty reasonable and balanced.... :banghead:

Jules A, MSN · Jun 20, 2008

many of different resources give you different lab values. I noticed this same thing, and was driving me crazy.
Example? Kaplan NCLEX-RN questions give you answer about Lithium toxicity 1.5. Over that patient will have real life threating problems. If you answer that toxicity begin let say at 1.6 you are in trouble.
Ok, how about other resources?
Drexel NCLEX-RN online course tells you that Lithium toxicity is at ....2.0!!!!! his is huge difference and dont try to answer this way.
I think keep in mind what Kaplan lab values says. They are pretty reasonable and balanced....

Don't make yourself too crazy with this, imo, if you actually happen to get a lab value it will be way off so as long as you have a basic idea you should be fine.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 20, 2008

Do not focus on memorizing lab values, you are not going to need them like that for the exam. They know that you have already been tested on all of this.

They are going to be interested in knowing what you are going to do with an extremely critical lab value, what are you going to do first?

And memorizing never helps anyone, your brain does not retain it; you need to learn and understand them and then you will not forget them.

Tiffany, RN, BSN · Jun 21, 2008

I took mine today and I did have maybe 2 questions where I needed to know lab values but they were easy ones that you probably already know (NA, K, O2). I wouldn't learn complex lab values such as Intraocular pressure but I would make sure I knew the basics. I also say you should definately know the symptoms for all disorders that have opposites (ie. Cushings v Addisons, Myxedema v Graves, etc). As far as Pharm goes, Kaplan's RN course book has a great review in it. I used it the day before and I felt pretty good about meds going into the test. Good luck!

adio412 · Jun 21, 2008

I took mine today and I did have maybe 2 questions where I needed to know lab values but they were easy ones that you probably already know (NA, K, O2). I wouldn't learn complex lab values such as Intraocular pressure but I would make sure I knew the basics. I also say you should definately know the symptoms for all disorders that have opposites (ie. Cushings v Addisons, Myxedema v Graves, etc). As far as Pharm goes, Kaplan's RN course book has a great review in it. I used it the day before and I felt pretty good about meds going into the test. Good luck!

thanks! and what does the book look like?

Tiffany, RN, BSN · Jun 21, 2008

Its a blue book titled "The RN Course Book-Preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination". I had the 11th edition. Its pretty thick. You can get the 9th edition (2006) from Amazon for little to nothing from here: http://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-Nursing-Course-Preparation-NCLEX-RN/dp/B000FVCCYG