NCLEX MUST KNOWS
A nurse walks into a patient's room and notices the patient is not responding to verbal stimuli. What should the nurse assess first?
Airway and breathing.
Which hormone lowers blood glucose by helping glucose move from the bloodstream into cells?
A: Insulin
Which gland is often called the “master gland” because it regulates several other endocrine glands?
A: Pituitary gland.
Which electrolyte is most closely associated with normal cardiac and neuromuscular function and is especially important to monitor with many diuretics?
Potassium.
What is the basic formula for calculating how many tablets to administer?
Desired dose ÷ Dose on hand × Quantity
Which patient should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. A patient reporting pain of 8/10
B. A patient with a new oxygen saturation of 84%
C. A patient asking when their next medication is due
D. A patient who needs help getting to the bathroom
B. The patient with an SpO₂ of 84%.
Which hormone is responsible for increasing blood glucose during periods of stress or fasting?
A: Glucagon.
Which organ produces insulin and glucagon?
Pancreas.
A patient has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. What electrolyte imbalance does this indicate?
Hypokalemia.
Q: The provider orders 500 mg of a medication. You have 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should you give?
2 tablets.
A patient taking warfarin asks what food they should avoid completely. What is the best nursing response?
They do not need to completely avoid vitamin K-containing foods, but they should keep their vitamin K intake consistent from day to day.
Which hormone helps the kidneys retain water and therefore helps regulate fluid balance?
A: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
A patient with hypothyroidism would most likely have which symptoms?
A: Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, and bradycardia.
Which electrolyte abnormality can cause dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias and muscle weakness?
A: Potassium abnormalities, especially significant hyperkalemia or hypokalemia.
An IV bag contains 1,000 mL and must infuse over 8 hours. What is the IV pump rate?
A: 125 mL/hr.
Q: A patient is receiving IV potassium. The patient asks why the medication cannot be given as a rapid IV push. What is the best response?
IV potassium must be diluted and administered at a controlled rate because rapid administration can cause dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias or cardiac arrest.
🚨 This is a big medication-safety concept.
They do not need to completely avoid vitamin K-containing foods, but they should keep their vitamin K intake consistent from day to day.
A patient has excessive thirst, excessive urination, and very dilute urine. Which hormone or hormone-related problem should the nurse think about?
ADH deficiency or impaired ADH effect, as seen in diabetes insipidus.
Q: A patient with Cushing syndrome may develop which characteristic finding?
A. Weight loss and hypotension
B. Moon face and central obesity
C. Severe hypoglycemia
D. Exophthalmos
A: B. Moon face and central obesity.
A patient with severe hyponatremia becomes confused and begins having a seizure. Why can low sodium cause neurological symptoms?
A: Low sodium can cause water to shift into brain cells, leading to cerebral edema and neurological changes.
Q: A medication order is 500 mg. The medication available is 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A: 10 mL.
You receive report on four patients. Who should you assess FIRST?
A. A patient with pneumonia who has a temperature of 101.5°F
B. A patient with diabetes whose glucose is 68 mg/dL and who is awake and able to swallow
C. A patient with a new tracheostomy who suddenly has difficulty breathing
D. A patient with chronic heart failure who has 2+ edema
C. The patient with the new tracheostomy and difficulty breathing.
A patient has weight loss, heat intolerance, tremors, anxiety, and tachycardia. Which endocrine disorder should the nurse suspect?
Hyperthyroidism.
Q: A patient with Addison disease is at risk for hypotension, weakness, and electrolyte abnormalities. Which hormone deficiency is primarily responsible?
A: Cortisol deficiency, with aldosterone deficiency also contributing to sodium loss, potassium retention, and volume depletion.
A patient has muscle weakness, decreased deep tendon reflexes, and respiratory depression. Their magnesium level is extremely elevated. What electrolyte imbalance should you suspect?
A: Hypermagnesemia.
Q: A patient weighs 154 lb. Approximately how many kilograms does the patient weigh?
A: 70 kg.
💡 Formula: lb ÷ 2.2 = kg