Studying for the Next Generation NCLEX isn’t the easiest thing to do (believe me, I’d know), but, if you want to pass on your first try, it’s not something you can simply neglect!
However, if you’re finding yourself overwhelmed by all the information you need to retain for the big test, then you might want to give this episode a listen.
Why is that?
Simply because in this week’s episode of NCLEX Ready, I’ll be sharing with you 5 nursing mnemonics that will make studying for the NGN a hundred times easier.
Are you ready to pass with flying colors?
Then keep reading!
The Side Effects of Vancomycin
Vancomycin does NOT have that many side effects, but when there are, they’re pretty hard to deal with.
Nephrotoxicity affects the kidneys. When kidney damage occurs, you’re unable to get rid of excess fluid from the body. This explains why you would see the fluid edema. Shortness of breath would also occur due to the fluid accumulating in the lungs. Elevated electrolytes happen because electrolytes are not leaving the body. There is also lack of urination and elevated blood pressure. Keep in mind that edema is usually associated with high blood pressure. Nephrotoxicity can be reversed if it’s not too late.
Ototoxicity affects the ears. The inner ear is associated with hearing and balance. If this is disrupted, then you would see symptoms of hearing loss and balance difficulty. Ototoxicity can be reversible or permanent depending on how severe the damage is. Ringing in the ear, also known as tinnitus, is also a sign of hearing loss.
Thrombophlebitis is the formation of a blood clot causing inflammation and pain. In rare cases that elevating the site and cold/warm compresses do not work, then antibiotics are used to treat thrombophlebitis.
Let’s go over an NCLEX practice question for vancomycin:
Question: Nurse Gavin is providing care for a 50-year-old male patient who is receiving vancomycin therapy for a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, short for MRSA. He is suddenly complaining of a constant ringing in his ear. The nurse recognizes this symptom as which of the following side effects of vancomycin?
- Gastrointestinal toxicity
- Nephrotoxicity
- Thrombophlebitis
- Ototoxicity
Answer: Ototoxicity.Rationale: A constant ringing in the ear indicates tinnitus, which is also a sign of hearing loss. This indicates ototoxicity is occurring. It is essential to report these findings to the healthcare provider immediately as the vancomycin dosage may need to be adjusted or discontinued to prevent permanent damage.
The 3 Cs of Measles
Remember that measles (also known as rubeola) is considered airborne. It’s also crucial to restrict patient to bed rest.
Cough is noted in someone with measles.
Coryza is a formal term for a stuffy nose or common cold. Use a cool mist vaporizer for the cough and coryza.
Conjunctivitis is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva. Think of the eye!
Also, this does not start with the letter C but fever is common with measles and sometimes Koplik spots may appear, which are small white spots that are noted inside the facial cheeks.
Let’s go over an NCLEX practice question for measles:
Question: Nurse Jojo is providing care for a child and suspects that the child may have measles. Which signs and symptoms indicate measles and should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
- Coryza, conjunctivitis, and fever
- Cough and headache
- Hyperkalemia and conjunctivitis
- Fever and hypokalemia
Answer: Coryza, conjunctivitis, and fever.
Rationale: Coryza, conjunctivitis, and fever are clinical manifestations that could indicate measles and should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately. Cough and headache can be signs and symptoms of many diagnoses and would need further evaluation. Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia would not indicate whether or not a patient has measles and can be eliminated.
Lyme Disease: “FACE a Key LYME Pie”
Facial nerve palsy occurs when the disease spreads to the nervous system. Lyme disease is treatable and so is facial nerve palsy.
Arthritis is the third and last stage of lyme disease. Large joints become involved causing pain.
Cardiac block is a symptom that occurs during the second stage of Lyme disease. This occurs several weeks following the bite.
Erythema migrans is a rash that occurs in the first stage of Lyme disease. Associate the tick bite with lyme disease. The NCLEX will point out the typical ring-shaped rash that occurs with the tick bite leading to lyme disease. Remember that the rash may not even come in the shape of the ring or where the bite site occurs. Symptoms of the rash can occur several days to months after bites.
Let’s go over an NCLEX practice question for Lyme disease:
Question: A 21-year-old patient presents to an urgent care clinic with a rash and complaints of flu symptoms. The nurse is examining the patient and notes that there is a bull’s eye rash located on the right ankle. This rash is noted as which of the following?
- Facial nerve palsy
- Erythema migrans
- Cellulitis
- Measles
Answer: Erythema migrans.
Rationale: Erythema migrans is one of the earliest signs of Lyme disease, which presents as a ring-shaped rash due to a tick bite. The rash may not even present as a ring-shape but that is usually the most common finding. Recognizing one of the first signs of Lyme disease is essential to treating it in a timely manner. This usually includes antibiotics to prevent the later signs and symptoms from occurring, such as facial nerve palsy, arthritis, and cardiac block.
Canes
If a patient has a cane, give the patient COAL!
When instructing the patient to walk with a cane, teach them to use the cane on the opposite side of the affected leg.
If the patient’s right leg is injured, the cane would be placed on the left side. That does not sound too complicated, right?
Let’s go over an NCLEX practice question for canes:
Question: The nurse is providing discharge instructions for a 59-year-old female patient on how to use a cane properly.The patient is getting discharged for a right knee injury. For safety measures, the patient should be advised on which of the following?
- “Hold the cane in the right hand and move the right leg simultaneously.”
- “Hold the cane in the left hand and move the left leg simultaneously.”
- “Hold the cane in the right hand and move the left leg simultaneously.”
- “Hold the cane in the left hand and move the right leg simultaneously.”
Answer: “Hold the cane in the left hand and move the right leg simultaneously.”
Rationale: Because the patient’s right knee is injured, the cane would be placed in the left hand. We can eliminate 1 and 3 right away. Remember that the cane should be used on the opposite side of the weak leg. In other words, place the cane on the stronger side.
We also need to determine if the cane should be moved simultaneously with the strong or the weak leg. The cane should move simultaneously with the affected leg to minimize pain and promote healing. Therefore, the correct answer is 4.
Alzheimer Diagnosis
Everything starts with the letter A!
Amnesia is partial or total memory loss.
Anomia is the inability to recognize everyday objects.
Apraxia is the inability to perform actions.
Agnosia is the inability to process sensory information.
Aphasia is the inability to formulate and comprehend a language.
Let’s go over an NCLEX practice question for Alzheimer:
Question: Nurse Koni is providing care for a 70-year-old patient diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The patient looks at the clock and states that she cannot identify it. The nurse recognizes that this is which of the following Alzheimer’s disease symptoms?
- Agnosia
- Aphasia
- Apraxia
- Anomia
Answer: Anomia.
Rationale: The patient is not able to correctly identify the clock, which indicates anomia, the inability to recognize everyday objects.
