The Ultimate NCLEX-RN® Study Package

• An NCLEX-RN® study package is a great resource for exam preparation.  
• These study packages provide comprehensive review guides, test-taking strategies, and more. 
• They can be used alongside prep programs like Slone NCLEX. 

An NCLEX-RN® study package is a great resource for exam preparation. It typically includes comprehensive review guides covering key nursing areas like medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, maternal-child health, pediatrics, and psychiatric nursing.  

You’ll also find practice questions in NCLEX format, test-taking strategies, and access to online practice exams. 

Let’s review the key elements of an NCLEX-RN® study package. 

Commonly Tested Diseases for Your NCLEX-RN® Study Package: 

Understanding diseases and their processes is vital for the NCLEX. It helps you assess client symptoms, make informed decisions, and plan appropriate interventions. Essentially, knowing the reasons behind symptoms is crucial for providing proper care. A few important diseases to know: 

• Pancreatitis: A serious condition involving inflammation of the pancreas that can lead to sudden and severe abdominal pain, nausea, and digestive issues.  
• Diabetes insipidus: A rare disorder characterized by an imbalance of fluids in the body, resulting in extreme thirst and chronic dehydration due to the kidneys’ inability to concentrate urine effectively.  
• Myasthenia gravis: An autoimmune condition that interrupts communication between nerves and muscles, leading to progressive muscle weakness and fatigue, particularly after periods of activity.  
• Hypocalcemia: A condition marked by low levels of calcium in the blood, which can cause a range of symptoms including involuntary muscle twitching, numbness, tingling sensations, and visual disturbances.  
• Alzheimer’s disease: A complex neurodegenerative disorder that manifests as a gradual decline in cognitive function, resulting in memory loss, confusion, disorientation, and challenges with reasoning and problem-solving.  
• Huntington’s disease: A hereditary disorder caused by a genetic mutation that leads to the progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain, affecting motor coordination, cognitive abilities, and may also result in psychiatric symptoms.  
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A devastating neurological disease that leads to the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in severe muscle weakness, loss of voluntary movement, and ultimately impacting respiratory functions.  
• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS): An autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system, often following an infection, and can lead to rapid muscle weakness and paralysis that may escalate quickly.  
• Angina pectoris: A condition that manifests as a pressing or squeezing pain in the chest, often triggered by physical exertion or stress, caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles, indicating potential heart disease. 

Pharmacology Focus:

Understanding pharmacology is vital for the NCLEX-RN® as it influences safe medication administration — one of a nurse’s key responsibilities. Knowledge of drug mechanisms, side effects, interactions, and dosages enables informed client care and helps prevent medication errors, which are significant aspects of the exam.  

A few need-to-know medications to add to your NCLEX-RN® study package: 

Clinical Prioritization: 

Prioritization and delegation are crucial skills for the NCLEX exam.  

Prioritization 

• Consider: How will the client be affected without immediate care? 
• Prioritize: Focus on life-threatening conditions, such as chest pain, or risks to limbs or vision. 
• Practice: Use scenario-based questions to determine client priorities. 

Key Points to keep in mind for the ABCs 

And don’t forget about infection protocols. You’ll want to watch closely after any surgery for:  

• Red, warm, malodorous drainage at surgical site  
• WBC over 10,000  

Consider the following when it comes to chemotherapy/immunosuppressant therapy: 

• Low grade fever will KILL!   
• Avoid crowds and sick people 
• Watch for LOW or HIGH WBC count 

Delegation 

When deciding whether or not to delegate tasks to coworkers, you want to consider the client’s needs, staff competencies, and task assignments. Keep in mind that delegation helps manage workloads, improves client safety, and encourages teamwork — but only if done properly. 

Avoid delegating safety responsibilities, like leaving a baby’s crib rail down And never leave initial education up to an LPN/LVN. Review the dos and don’ts of delegation:

And don’t forget your practice resources: 

• Questions: Engage with practice questions to prepare for the exam. 
• Guides: Use study guides for understanding prioritization and delegation. 
• Videos: Watch videos for additional insights into these skills 

Psychosocial Integrity: 

• Understanding the symptoms 
  • Diagnostic criteria, and classifications of common mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, PTSD, and anxiety disorders is essential. 
• Effective communication techniques 
  • Including active listening, open-ended questions, reflection, and validation, are crucial when interacting with clients. 
• Crisis Management 
  • It’s important to know how to assess and respond to crisis situations like suicidal ideation, homicidal thoughts, and severe anxiety attacks. Familiarity with psychiatric medications, their effects, and monitoring parameters is also vital. 
• Different therapeutic approaches 
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and group therapy should be tailored to specific disorders, considering cultural influences on mental health. 
• Mental health assessments 
  • Maintaining awareness of client rights, confidentiality, and legal implications are fundamental for ethical practice. 

The Bottom Line 

With this NCLEX RN study package you’ll be well-prepared to take the NCLEX-RN® exam. Good luck! 

Start your exam prep journey today!