Tips & Info to Study NCLEX

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1. The NCLEX is a "perfect world". You have everything you need.

2. Think, "What will keep my client alive".

3. Safety first.

4. You are only suppose to have 2 weeks vast nursing knowledge as a brand new nurse. You are not expected to know everything on the test. You are expected to keep your clients safe, your staff safe, yourself safe and your clients alive.

There are 12 diseases for which you as the RN are legally obligated to notify the proper authority. Those are: Cholera, Cryptosoridiosis, Cyclosponasis, Giardiasis, Hep A, Legionellous, Malaria, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, and Vibriosis.

The order to put on personal protective gear is:: Gown, Mask, Goggles/faceshield, Gloves. The order to take it off is: Gloves, Goggles, Gown, Mash...then wash hands immediately.

Elderly are at highest risk for suicide.

Remember the 3 elements of radiation precaution are Time, Distance & Shielding.

Bruising is associated with low platelets.

Dusky nail beds - associated to resp. problems

Cherry red lips - associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dyspnea - associated with anemia & decreased hgb

In a massive casualty disaster: If you are working in the hospital and loved ones of clients come to you for info on their family....GIVE IT TO THEM. (from CDC)

Following ECT (shock therapy) keep the client on his side until fully awake so secretions drain and airway remains open.

For a non-tunneled central venous cath (CVC) change the 4X4 dressing every 48 hours. If any other type of CVC a transparent dressing is usually used and it does not need changing but once every 96 hours.

For clients with hip fracture: Turn every 2 hours using pillow between legs when turning. Encourage fluids and encourage foot/ankle exercises.

Alcohol abuse clients are in need of B vitamins.

Other than keeping patient safe from harm during a seizure the RN should document the type of movements because treatment is often based on the description of the seizure.

Client recovering from long term bed rest needs active range of motion exercises to get calcium out of the tissue/blood and back into the bones.

Vitamin A & Vitamin D are carried through the body by fats. When fats break down they form ketones. Ketones are acid.

Easy way to remember acidosis vs alkalosis:

Draw this out using arrows for high & low:

pH high, pCO2 high, HCO3 high = Metabolic Alkalosis

pH low, pCo2 low, HCO3 low = Metabolic Acidosis

pH high, pCO2 low, HCO3 low = Respiratory Alkalosis

pH low, pCO2 high, HCO3 high = Respiratory Acidosis

*When the lungs are sick the kidneys compensate. When the kidneys are sick the lungs compensate. Lungs are faster but kidneys are more efficient.

Now others are challenged to add to this and we will come up with some pretty good study materials for everyone to use. :-)