NCLEX-RN Review Course

You have spent years working towards your goal of becoming a registered nurse and now you face the exam that will determine your future. You know you have to be ready for this life-changing event but you are feeling unsure of how to study, and wondering if your current level of knowledge is sufficient to pass. Complete this comprehensive review, at your own pace, and get everything you need to prepare to take the NCLEX®-RN exam. Nationally recognized expert, Cyndi Zarbano, MSN, BSN, CCRN, CEN, PCCN, CMSRN, CLNC, NLCP, will guide you through the core content in an easy to understand format adding test taking strategies specific to each body system.  Not only will you pass your exam the first time but you will also build critical thinking skills and develop nursing instincts that will guarantee your success as a RN!

OUTLINE

Day One

NCLEX Success!

• Nursing Theory
• Clinical Judgment
• NCSBN
• Categories of Content
• Test Taking Strategies

Cardiac

• Assessment
• Landmarks
• Erb’s Point
• Auscultation
• Heart Sounds
• Murmurs, Rubs, & Clicks
• 7 Key Points to Know
• Acute Coronary Syndrome
• Understanding Ischemia
• Angina
• Acute Myocardial Infarction
• MONA
• Interpreting the EKG
  • Fast Fatal Arrhythmias
  • Atrial Dysrhythmias
  • Ventricular Dysrhythmias
  • Critical Interventions

Delegation

• Know you Role

Documentation

• Protecting your Practice

Room Assignments

• Key Points in Staffing

Endocrine

• Acute Hypoglycemia
• Acute Hyperglycemic State
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
  • Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome (HHS)
• Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
• Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
• Thyroid Disorders

Pulmonary

• Key Points in Assessment
• Breath Sounds
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Medications Part One

• Know GENERIC Name
• Use of Drug
• Drug Dosing
• Nursing Considerations
• Medications for Review
  • Allergy & Asthma Meds
  • Analgesics
  • Anticoagulants
  • Anti-Infectives
  • Anti-Inflammatory
  • Anti-Neoplastics
• Pregnancy Risk Categories

Day Two

Liver & Pancreas

• Diagnostic Labs
• Liver Failure
• Signs and Symptoms
• Hepatic Encephalopathy
• Management
• Nursing Considerations
• Acute Pancreatitis
• Coagulopathies
• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC)
• Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)

Labor/Delivery

• Terms to Know
• Fetal Heart Rate
• Monitoring Options
• Accelerations
• Early Deceleration
• Late Deceleration
• Variable Deceleration
• Stages of Labor
• Effacement & Dilation
• Apgar Score
• Normal Newborn Vitals
• Labor Complications

Vascular

• Venous Insufficiency vs. Arterial
• Phlebitis
• AV Fistulas & Graphs

Fractures

• Setting Priorities
• Rib
• Pelvic
• Femur
• Treatments
• Complications
• Positioning

Kidneys

• Related Lab Tests
• Acute & Chronic Failure
• Acute Tubular Nephrosis
• Rhabdo
• Radio-Contrast Nephropathy (RCN)
• Dialysis

Electrolytes

• Life-Threatening Changes
• Hypo & Hyperkalemia
• Hypo & Hypernatremia
• Hypo & Hypercalcemia
• Hypomagnesemia
• Hypomagnesemia
• Must KNOW Signs & Symptoms

Medications Part Two

• Cardiac Medications by Class
• Dermatologic Medications
• Diabetic Medications
• Gastrointestinal Meds
• Genitourinary Meds

Day Three

Neurology

• 5 Point Neuro Check
• Areas of the Brain & Function of Each
• Somatic Nervous System
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Mini-Mental Status Exam
• Cranial Nerves
• Stroke
• Diagnosing
• Treatment Options
• Delirium & Dementia
• ETOH Withdrawal

Heart Blocks

• The Nodes
• 1st Degree AV Block
• 2nd Degree AV Block: Wenckebach
• 2nd Degree AV Block: Mobitz Type II
• 3rd Degree: Complete Heart Block

Psychosocial

• Depression
• Abuse & Neglect
• Therapeutic Communication
• Dos & Don'ts

Dietary & Health Promotion

• Kosher Diets
• Renal Diet
• High K+ Foods
• High Sodium Foods
• Diabetic Diet
• Wound Healing Diet

Infection Control

• Nosocomial Infections
• Catheters
• Central Lines
• PICC Sites
• C Diff
• Isolation
• Types & Gear

CBC with Differential

• The Components
• Normal Values
• What Abnormal Values Can Tell Us
• Shift to the Left

IV Fluids

• Hypotonic
• Isotonic
• Hypertonic
• What to Use When?
• Colloids
  • Albumin
  • Dextrans
  • Heta-Starch

Blood Products

• PRBC’s
• FFP
• Platelets
• Cryoprecipitate
• Transfusions

Surgical Interventions

• Cancer – Biopsies & Scope Procedures
• GI Surgeries
  • Whipple Procedure
  • Esophago-Gastrectomy
  • Gastric Bypass
  • Abdominal Trauma
• Chest Tubes
  • Pneumothorax
  • Needle Decompression
  • Complications

Medications Part Three

• Controlled Substances I-V
• Hormone Therapy
• Thyroid Medications
• Mental Health Medications
• Musculoskeletal Meds
• Neurological Meds
• Ophthalmics & Otics
• Vitamins & Minerals
• Women’s Health Medications

OBJECTIVES

Day One:

• Prioritize nursing actions for specific cardiac, respiratory and endocrine disorders.
• Evaluate findings in common cardiac labs, such as CKMB, Troponin, BNP/Pro-BNP levels.
• Recognize 2 tools of recognition and 4 rapid interventions for patients experiencing Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).
• Interpret pathophysiology and differential diagnoses for crackles, wheezes, rhonchi and rubs.
• State current guidelines in the management of diabetes.
• Illustrate the nursing process as a standard of care.
• Recognize how improper assessment can affect patient outcomes.
• Discuss physical and laboratory findings that accompany DKA and HHS.

Day Two:

• List 3 benefits of beta blockers in a patient with coronary artery disease.
• Recognize life-threatening electrolyte imbalances, potential causes and remedies.
• Identify conditions which would require a chest tube.
• Explain acute renal failure and current treatment options
• Discuss possible etiology and significance of common assessment abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system.
• Discuss a variety of fetal heart rate patterns.
• Compare appropriate interventions in response to fetal heart rate changes.
• Analyze potentially serious complications related to fractures.

Day Three:

• Explore the philosophy of patient- and family-centered care, and how this philosophy can be incorporated into care of the patient.
• Learn a simple monitoring technique to help differentiate if the patient is having an atrial dysrhythmia or not.
• Explain and demonstrate a thorough 6-part neurological exam and document findings
• Define the anatomy and physiology of the neurological system and how this manifests in physical symptoms
• List primary causes of mental status changes and identify which patients are at risk for delirium and how to respond.
• Differentiate neurological assessment findings that are specific to delirium.
• Identify the components and significance of the CBC and Chemistry Profile, with focus upon abnormal lab values.
• Describe the physiological changes seen in postoperative patients.

Satisfaction Guarantee
Your satisfaction is our goal and our guarantee. Concerns should be addressed to PESI, Inc., PO Box 1000, Eau Claire, WI 54702-1000 or call 1-800-844-8260.

ADA Needs

PESI would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call our Customer Service Department for more information at 800-844-8260.