BSN Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield BSN facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A patient with a urinary tract infection is prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Which allergy history is a contraindication to this medication? → Sulfa drug allergy
2. At what stage of sleep do vivid dreams occur? → Rapid eye movement (REM) stage
3. Which antidote should the nurse have readily available when administering IV opioids? → Naloxone (Narcan)
4. When implementing the SBAR communication tool, what information is conveyed in the 'Assessment' component? → The nurse's clinical judgment about what is happening with the patient
5. A patient who is 3 days postpartum and exclusively breastfeeding reports nipple soreness with latching. What is the most helpful nursing intervention? → Observe a feeding session and evaluate the infant's latch for correct positioning
6. Which laboratory value indicates a patient may be at risk for impaired wound healing? → Serum albumin 2.1 g/dL
7. A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a patient with appendicitis. Which finding is consistent with Rovsing's sign? → Right lower quadrant pain elicited by palpating the left lower quadrant
8. A nurse is performing ROM exercises on a patient. Moving the patient's ankle so the toes point upward toward the shin is called: → Dorsiflexion
9. Which position should the nurse place a laboring patient in to maximize placental perfusion and prevent supine hypotensive syndrome? → Left lateral (left side-lying) position
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with a stage II pressure injury. Which characteristic best describes this wound? → Partial-thickness loss with a shallow open ulcer or intact blister
11. A nurse notes that a patient's IV insertion site is pale, cool, swollen, and the infusion has slowed. The nurse recognizes this as: → Infiltration
12. A nurse working in a long-term care facility is planning assignments for a 12-hour shift. Which nursing task must be performed by an RN, not an LPN? → Completing the comprehensive nursing assessment and updating the care plan
13. A child is diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot and experiences a hypercyanotic ('Tet') spell. Which position should the nurse place the child in? → Knee-chest position
14. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus develops Kussmaul respirations, fruity breath, and blood glucose of 480 mg/dL. These findings are consistent with: → Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
15. The nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin therapy. Which food should the patient be instructed to consume consistently rather than avoid entirely? → Foods high in vitamin K such as leafy green vegetables
16. A patient is prescribed metformin and is scheduled for a contrast CT scan. Which nursing action is most appropriate? → Hold metformin 48 hours before and after the contrast procedure
17. The nurse is preparing to use physical restraints on an agitated patient. Which action is most important before applying the restraints? → Obtain a provider order and attempt less restrictive alternatives first
18. The nurse is caring for an infant with suspected intussusception. Which clinical finding is most characteristic of this condition? → Currant jelly-like stools
19. A patient is ordered 0.9% sodium chloride IV at 125 mL/hour. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. What is the correct drip rate in gtt/min? → 31 gtt/min
20. The emergency department charge nurse must prioritize four patients arriving simultaneously. Which patient is triaged as emergent (highest priority)? → A 60-year-old with diaphoresis, jaw pain, and a blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg
21. A patient is admitted with suspected meningitis. Which intervention should be completed first? → Complete blood culture specimens before starting antibiotics
22. A nurse is caring for a toddler with croup (laryngotracheobronchitis). Which clinical intervention is most effective for mild-to-moderate croup? → Give oral or IM dexamethasone
23. A certified nursing assistant will be given the assignment by the registered nurse. Which of the following customers ought not to be put on a CAN? → A patient diagnosed with diabetes and who has an infected toe
24. A patient post-hip replacement surgery asks why they must avoid crossing their legs. The nurse's best response is: → Crossing the legs can dislocate the new hip joint
25. Which finding in a postoperative patient requires the most immediate nursing intervention? → Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min with SpO2 90%
26. A patient taking lithium carbonate reports nausea, tremors, and confusion. The nurse suspects lithium toxicity. What is the priority nursing action? → Hold the next dose and obtain a serum lithium level
27. A nurse is conducting a community needs assessment using a windshield survey. What does this method involve? → Systematically observing a community by driving or walking through it to gather data
28. A community health nurse is using Maslow's hierarchy of needs to prioritize care for a homeless shelter resident. Which need must be addressed first? → Food, shelter, and warmth (physiological needs)
29. A patient returns from a left-sided cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery. Which assessment finding requires immediate nursing intervention? → Absence of dorsalis pedis pulse in the left foot
30. A patient is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which bowel preparation instruction is most important to emphasize? → Consume only clear liquids the day before the procedure and complete the full bowel prep