RN Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. A nurse notices a colleague appears intoxicated at work and smells of alcohol. The most appropriate action is: → Report observations to the charge nurse or supervisor immediately
2. A patient presents with absent breath sounds on the left, tracheal deviation to the right, and severe respiratory distress. The nurse should prepare for: → Emergency needle decompression for tension pneumothorax
3. A patient on warfarin has an INR of 5.8. Which intervention is most appropriate? → Administer vitamin K as ordered
4. A patient with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is startled by a loud noise and begins hyperventilating. The nurse's priority intervention is: → Use a calm voice to ground the patient using sensory-based techniques
5. A nurse manager identifies that incident report filings have dropped significantly over the past month. This most likely indicates: → Under-reporting of adverse events
6. A patient with myasthenia gravis is being treated with pyridostigmine. The nurse understands this drug works by: → Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase to increase acetylcholine availability
7. In which situation should a nurse use soap and water for hand hygiene instead of an alcohol-based hand rub? → After caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile
8. A patient with dementia is repeatedly trying to get out of bed and is at high fall risk. The nurse's least restrictive initial intervention is: → Move the patient close to the nurses' station and use bed alarms
9. Which patient is at highest risk for a pressure injury? → An 80-year-old patient with diabetes, incontinence, and limited mobility on bedrest
10. A patient receiving IV morphine shows a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and is difficult to arouse. The priority action is: → Administer naloxone (Narcan) as ordered
11. A nurse is preparing a patient for a colonoscopy. Which finding in the patient's history requires immediate communication to the provider? → Daily aspirin use for cardiac prophylaxis
12. A nurse is assisting a client with a bedpan. Which action best maintains the client's dignity and comfort? → Leave the call light within reach and close the curtain while the client uses the bedpan
13. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a grieving patient. Which response demonstrates active listening? → 'Tell me more about what you're experiencing right now.'
14. A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse, 'The CIA has implanted a chip in my brain to control my thoughts.' The nurse's best response is: → 'That sounds frightening. I don't share that belief, but I'm here to help you stay safe.'
15. Without first getting the client's informed consent, doing a non-emergency intrusive surgery on them can be seen as → battery
16. During a sterile dressing change, which action would break sterile technique? → Reaching over the sterile field to arrange supplies
17. Which electrolyte imbalance is most associated with loop diuretic use? → Hypokalemia
18. When removing PPE after caring for a patient on contact precautions, what is the correct sequence? → Gloves, goggles or face shield, gown, mask or respirator
19. A patient with Addison's disease is admitted with hypotension, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia during a stressful illness. The nurse anticipates: → Administration of IV hydrocortisone
20. A nurse observes a colleague leaving a contact isolation room while still wearing their isolation gown. What is the most appropriate immediate action? → Inform the colleague of the breach and have them remove the gown
21. A nurse is teaching a pregnant patient about folic acid. How much folic acid should a woman consume daily before and during early pregnancy? → 400 mcg
22. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. The nurse notes the respiratory rate has dropped to 8 breaths/min. What is the most likely explanation? → High-flow oxygen suppressed the hypoxic drive
23. A client with Addison's disease is admitted in adrenal crisis. Which IV fluid and medication does the nurse anticipate administering? → 0.9% NaCl and hydrocortisone
24. A nurse is about to enter a room under airborne precautions. Which room characteristic must be confirmed before entering? → Negative pressure with at least 12 air changes per hour
25. Four patients' care is being planned by a healthcare professional. Which patient is in need of preventative measures for anemia the most? → The patient with renal failure on hemodialysis
26. A nurse is applying antiembolism stockings (TEDs) to a client. Which action is correct? → Apply stockings in the morning before the client gets out of bed
27. A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation when the client says, 'I feel dizzy and my legs are giving out.' What should the nurse do first? → Lower the client gently to the floor using the nurse's body as a guide
28. What would a nurse look for when evaluating a child's progress over the school years? → Yearly weight gain of about 5.5 pounds per year
29. A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which position provides the most comfort? → Fetal position with knees drawn to chest
30. A nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a patient with a head injury. Which finding indicates a deteriorating neurological status? → GCS score decreasing from 14 to 11 over 2 hours