NCLEX content- blood values

[Skylar86]

I am a New Zealand trained RN and have been working in emerg for 3 years. I am currently going through the NNAS process to be eligible to write the NCLEX and have been using Uworld as my study guide. I am hoping to move to Saskatchewan, Canada and work in emerg.

So far i haven't been doing great on the practice tests (i have only just started studying) I am wondering how much of the exam will be asking about blood values. This is something that we were never taught in nursing school (i've more just been learning on the job) but its not something we've been required to interpret. Do you recommend I learn all I can about every single blood value in order to pass the NCLEX?

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

Each exam is different, but you should know:

WBC

RBC

Hgb

Hct

Platelets

BUN

Creatinine

Na

K

Ca

Mg

Cl

AST

ALT

Total Protein

Amylase

Lipase

Know the normal values. What does a high value indicate? What does a low value indicate?

Plus ABG interpretation (pH, CO2, HCO3). Know how to determine respiratory vs. metabolic acidosis/alkalosis. Know what clinical signs & symptoms you'll see with each one.

If you haven't had ABGs in nursing school, I'd highly recommend you take a content refresher course for NCLEX.

Good luck!