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. At what stage of sleep do vivid dreams occur? → Rapid eye movement (REM) stage
2. Which antidote should the nurse have readily available when administering IV opioids? → Naloxone (Narcan)
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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)
7. 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
8. 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
9. The nurse is caring for an infant with suspected intussusception. Which clinical finding is most characteristic of this condition? → Currant jelly-like stools
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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)
16. 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
17. 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
18. A nurse suspects child physical abuse during an assessment. Which finding is most indicative of non-accidental trauma? → Multiple bruises in various stages of healing over the trunk
19. A child weighing 20 kg requires IV fluid maintenance. Using the Holliday-Segar method, what is the correct daily fluid maintenance requirement? → 1,500 mL/day
20. A child with sickle cell disease is admitted in vaso-occlusive crisis. Which intervention has the highest priority? → Administer IV fluids and analgesics
21. The nurse should apply lengthy, firm strokes from the distal to the proximal areas when bathing the patient's extremities. This approach: → Increases venous blood return.
22. The nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant. Which finding is expected and considered normal for this age? → Doubling of birth weight
23. A home health nurse is visiting a patient with congestive heart failure (CHF). Which finding requires the nurse to contact the provider immediately? → Weight gain of 3 lbs in 2 days
24. A patient with a penicillin allergy is prescribed cefazolin. Which nursing action is most appropriate? → Administer with caution and monitor closely for cross-reactivity reactions
25. Which electrolyte imbalance increases a patient's risk for digoxin toxicity? → Hypokalemia
26. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which condition is an absolute contraindication to metformin use? → Renal impairment with GFR below 30 mL/min
27. A patient suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which airway management procedure should a nursing assistant handle? → Assisting the patient to sit up on the side of the bed.
28. A nurse is caring for a newborn receiving phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. Which action is essential during phototherapy? → Cover the newborn's eyes with phototherapy eye shields
29. A nurse is administering morphine sulfate IV to a postoperative patient. Which finding requires the nurse to hold the medication and contact the provider? → Respiratory rate of 9 breaths/min
30. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L. Which assessment finding is most concerning? → Tall peaked T waves on the ECG