Free NCLEX Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
Save this page — it covers the highest-yield NCLEX topics in one place.
ABCs of Nursing Priority (Airway → Breathing → Circulation)
- ▸Always prioritize airway first — it is non-negotiable
- ▸Actual airway obstruction > risk of airway obstruction
- ▸Circulation issues in order: hemorrhage → shock → cardiac arrest
- ▸After ABC, apply Maslow's Hierarchy: physiologic > safety > love/belonging > esteem > self-actualization
Critical Lab Values (memorize these)
| Lab | Normal | Critical Low | Critical High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium (Na+) | 135–145 mEq/L | < 120 | > 160 |
| Potassium (K+) | 3.5–5.0 mEq/L | < 2.5 | > 6.5 |
| Glucose | 70–100 mg/dL | < 40 | > 500 |
| Hemoglobin | M: 14–18 / F: 12–16 g/dL | < 7 | > 20 |
| Platelets | 150,000–400,000/μL | < 20,000 | > 1,000,000 |
| INR | 0.8–1.2 (therapeutic: 2–3) | — | > 4 |
| PTT | 25–35 sec | — | > 70 sec |
| pH | 7.35–7.45 | < 7.2 | > 7.6 |
| PaO₂ | 80–100 mmHg | < 60 | — |
| PaCO₂ | 35–45 mmHg | < 20 | > 70 |
| HCO₃⁻ | 22–26 mEq/L | < 10 | > 40 |
ABG Interpretation (ROME Method)
ROME Mnemonic
Respiratory Opposite — Metabolic Equal
Respiratory (Opposite)
pH↑ + PaCO₂↓ = Resp. Alkalosis
pH↓ + PaCO₂↑ = Resp. Acidosis
Metabolic (Equal)
pH↑ + HCO₃↑ = Met. Alkalosis
pH↓ + HCO₃↓ = Met. Acidosis
Compensation Guide:
- • Compensated — pH normal, HCO₃ and PaCO₂ both abnormal
- • Partially compensated — pH still abnormal, HCO₃ and PaCO₂ both off
- • Uncompensated — pH abnormal, only one value (HCO₃ or PaCO₂) is off
5 Rights of Delegation
⚠ RN CANNOT Delegate:
Assessment · Nursing Diagnosis · Care Planning · Evaluation · Patient/Family Teaching · Unstable patients
Isolation Precautions Quick Reference
| Type | Disease Examples | PPE Required |
|---|---|---|
| Airborne | TB, measles, chickenpox, COVID | N95 + gown + gloves + eye protection; negative pressure room |
| Droplet | Influenza, mumps, pertussis, meningitis | Surgical mask + gown + gloves |
| Contact | C. diff, MRSA, VRE, scabies, norovirus | Gown + gloves |
| Protective (Reverse) | Neutropenic patients | Positive pressure room, mask, sterile technique |
Medication Safety — High-Alert Drugs
NCLEX Priority Framework — When to Act NOW
Therapeutic Communication — Do vs. Don't
| ✓ Use This | ✗ Avoid This |
|---|---|
| Open-ended questions ("Tell me more about…") | Closed questions ("Are you feeling better?") |
| Reflection / restatement | False reassurance ("Everything will be fine") |
| Clarification ("What do you mean by…") | Giving advice ("You should…") |
| Silence with presence | Changing the subject |
| Empathy statements ("That sounds difficult") | Judgmental statements |
Maternity Quick Reference
Variable Decelerations
Cause: Cord compression
Reposition mother, administer O₂, notify provider
🚨 Late Decelerations
Cause: Uteroplacental insufficiency
EMERGENCY — notify immediately, O₂, left lateral position, stop Pitocin
Early Decelerations
Cause: Head compression
Normal finding — no intervention needed
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Uterine atony is the #1 cause — massage uterus, assess bladder, administer Pitocin
NCLEX NGN — Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM)
6 Cognitive Skills (in order):
NGN Item Types:
Strategy:
Read the scenario → identify what changed → ask “what's the most urgent concern?”
Pass Your NCLEX with PassCord RN
This cheat sheet is just the beginning. The full PassCord RN course gives you every framework, question type, and clinical reasoning strategy you need to pass on your first try.
✓ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee · ✓ Instant Access · ✓ Covers PN & RN