ISPN & CGFNS Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. The treatment of which symptom is the expected effect of omeprazole (Prilosec). → Heartburn
2. Which medication is used to treat extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) caused by antipsychotics? → Benztropine (Cogentin)
3. Which professional behavior best demonstrates ethical nursing practice valued across these standards? → Maintaining patient confidentiality and obtaining informed consent
4. Which of the following is a NON-THERAPEUTIC communication technique? → Giving false reassurance
5. What is the purpose of the CGFNS credentials evaluation (CES) report? → To compare foreign education and licensure to U.S. standards for boards of nursing
6. Which component of the CGFNS VisaScreen involves a review of the applicant's professional healthcare education? → Academic credentials evaluation
7. What document does a state board of nursing issue to an internationally educated nurse who has passed NCLEX-RN and met all licensure requirements? → Registered Nurse (RN) license for that state
8. Which infection-control practice is the single most effective at preventing transmission? → Hand hygiene
9. How does CGFNS obtain official transcripts from a foreign nursing school? → The school sends transcripts directly to CGFNS in a sealed official envelope
10. On Coumadin, the client had a prothrombin time of 20 seconds and a control time of 11 seconds. According to the nurse, this means: → Within the therapeutic range
11. What might a nurse anticipate to see after transfusing platelets into a trauma patient who has several cuts? → Decreased blood flow from cuts
12. Which document is required as part of the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) application? → Official nursing school transcripts
13. The nurse expects the following laboratory tests to evaluate the therapeutic impact of heparin intravenously given to the client: → Activated partial thromboplastin time
14. Under which visa category do most internationally educated nurses immigrate to the US for permanent employment? → EB-3 (Employment-Based Third Preference) visa
15. A patient on lithium is also prescribed ibuprofen for pain. What interaction should the psychiatric nurse anticipate? → Ibuprofen can increase serum lithium levels, raising toxicity risk
16. A patient reports a pain level of 8 out of 10 after surgery; the nurse's priority action is to: → Assess the pain and administer prescribed analgesia
17. A CGFNS-QE candidate who fails the exam may do which of the following? → Reapply and retake the exam after satisfying waiting period requirements
18. Which infection control concept is commonly tested on the CGFNS-QE under the Safe Care Environment category? → Standard and transmission-based precautions
19. A assistance group has been talking with a depressed hospital patient. Which behaviors suggest that the patient is on the verge of committing suicide? → The patient begins to give away his or her stuff.
20. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea, tremor, and polyuria. Which nursing action is the priority? → Check the serum lithium level immediately
21. The VisaScreen certificate issued by CGFNS is required for what purpose? → Obtaining an occupational visa to work as a healthcare professional in the U.S.
22. A 35-year-old male who has used cocaine is being assessed by an emergency room nurse. What are the signs that the client has overdosed? → Myocardial infarction and ataxia
23. A nurse's professional license submitted to CGFNS must generally be: → Current, valid, and unencumbered
24. Which compact agreement allows nurses to practice in multiple US states with one license? → Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
25. A foreign-educated nurse completes CGFNS Certification; what must they still typically obtain to practice as an RN in a U.S. state? → A state nursing license, usually by passing the NCLEX-RN
26. The technique of 'focusing' in therapeutic communication is BEST described as: → Directing the conversation to a specific theme or concern
27. What does 'flat affect' indicate in a psychiatric mental status examination? → A marked reduction or absence of emotional expressiveness
28. An internationally educated nurse's CGFNS CES report is typically submitted to whom? → State boards of nursing or employers requesting the report
29. A patient taking an atypical antipsychotic gains 15 pounds and develops hyperglycemia. These findings are characteristic of which side effect syndrome? → Metabolic syndrome
30. For a client using codeine sulfate, the nurse would specifically include the following in the treatment plan: → Monitor bowel activity