Common NCLEX Questions

1. Prioritizing care. This type of question is used to make sure the nurse knows what problems are more urgent than others.

2. Delegation of work and knowing the responsibilities of aides, LPNs and RNs. Now that there are more and more types of caregivers, nurses need to know what kinds of care are appropriate for each type.

3. Age-related changes and emotions. LPNs often care for the elderly, and they need to be aware of what they should expect.

4. The signs and symptoms of serious complications, such as hypoglycemia as a result of poor glucose control, which could easily occur in a hospital or nursing care facility.

5. Know the signs and symptoms of toxicity of common drugs that have serious side effects. Examples are digoxin or lithium.

6. Know the antidotes of common drugs such as magnesium sulfate (calcium gluconate), heparin (protamine sulfate), and Coumadin (vitamin K or aquamephyton).

7. It is necessary to memorize certain laboratory values, such as hemoglobin (12–18g/dl), white blood count (5,000–10,000 mm3), and platelets (150,000–400,000). Also learn sodium, potassium, calcium, blood gases, and glucose levels. Know the implications of high or low values and what diseases they are associated with.

8. Pain management is also a frequent topic today. Remember that addiction is not a concern when giving narcotics in almost all situations, and that pain is determined by the patient. A nurse cannot decide whether or not a complaint is valid.