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 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. Which patient is at highest risk for a pressure injury? → An 80-year-old patient with diabetes, incontinence, and limited mobility on bedrest
7. 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.'
8. 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.'
9. Without first getting the client's informed consent, doing a non-emergency intrusive surgery on them can be seen as → battery
10. During a sterile dressing change, which action would break sterile technique? → Reaching over the sterile field to arrange supplies
11. 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
12. A patient with Addison's disease is admitted with hypotension, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia during a stressful illness. The nurse anticipates: → Administration of IV hydrocortisone
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
18. Which nursing action is most appropriate for a patient experiencing status epilepticus? → Turn the patient to the side and time the seizure
19. Which finding in a burn patient indicates adequate fluid resuscitation during the first 24 hours? → Urine output of 0.5–1 mL/kg/hour
20. A client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) suffers dysphagia, according to a home health nurse. What is the nurse's main worry? → The client is at risk for aspiration.
21. A patient is scheduled for surgery on the left knee but the consent form reads 'right knee.' The nurse's correct action is: → Delay the procedure and notify the surgeon to correct the consent before proceeding
22. In the first 24 hours following the procedure, which cardiac catheterization complication should the nurse be on the lookout for? → Thrombus formation
23. What is the best way to spot breast cancer tumors in the early stages? → Monthly breast self-examination
24. 50% protein binding indicates that a medication is → 50% of the drug is available
25. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing developed and distributed the → American Nurses Association
26. Which nursing task is most appropriate to delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? → Measuring and recording urine output for a stable patient
27. Which intervention is most appropriate for a patient experiencing alcohol withdrawal on day 2 of hospitalization? → Administer scheduled benzodiazepines per protocol and monitor for seizures
28. A patient newly diagnosed with breast cancer states, 'I can't believe this is happening to me.' The nurse's best therapeutic response is: → 'This must be very frightening. Would you like to talk about how you're feeling?'
29. A patient with deep partial-thickness burns to 30% TBSA is at highest risk for which complication in the first 24–48 hours? → Hypovolemic shock
30. Which of the following is NOT required to be a part of the order when a practitioner prescribes an IV infusion drug to be titrated? → Ability of the nurse to determine the units of incremental rate