Health & emergency services

NCLEX-RN flashcards

20 decks · 1,448 cards · built into Willys · free samples below

Written against: NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan, in effect from 1 April 2026 (Next Generation NCLEX; client-needs categories and percentages unchanged from 2023, fact-checked 2026-10-11). Updated 2026-10-10.

What's in it

Every deck follows the course outline, with tags you can study or suspend topic by topic. Open a deck to study its free sample right here.

Learn · 14 decks · 966 cards

Concepts, mechanisms and the questions a course or exam asks about them.

Prioritization, Delegation & Safety Who to see first and what to delegate, SBAR and safe handoffs, transmission-based precautions and PPE, falls, restraints, fire safety, medication rights and error prevention, consent and advance directives, ethics and law, and the NCSBN clinical judgment model. 10 free · 62 cards in the app Fluids & Electrolytes Hypo and hyper states for sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate with their causes, bedside signs, ECG changes, and nursing priorities; isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic IV fluids; fluid deficit versus excess; and SIADH versus diabetes insipidus. 10 free · 60 cards in the app Lab Values & ABGs The typical ranges the NCLEX expects, what a high or low value means at the bedside, the drug levels worth memorizing, specimen collection and cultures, and a step-by-step ABG method with practice sets to classify. 10 free · 64 cards in the app Drug Classes & Suffixes Generic-name suffixes to drug class, the mechanism and hallmark adverse effects of the big classes, the classic nursing checks (apical pulse, potassium, grapefruit, tyramine), and the antidotes the NCLEX expects you to know cold. 10 free · 80 cards in the app Cardiac Angina versus MI, left versus right heart failure, digoxin and anticoagulant teaching, hypertension, what to do for each lethal and common dysrhythmia, pacemakers, pericarditis and tamponade, cardiac cath and CABG care, the types of shock, and arterial versus venous disease with DVT prevention. 10 free · 64 cards in the app Respiratory COPD, asthma, pneumonia, TB, pulmonary embolism, chest tubes, ARDS, tracheostomy care, oxygen devices, ventilator alarms and hypoxia: the respiratory nursing priorities the NCLEX-RN tests. 10 free · 66 cards in the app Endocrine & Renal DKA vs HHS, hypoglycemia, insulin and sick-day teaching, thyroid and adrenal disorders, thyroidectomy care, AKI and CKD, dialysis access, UTI, kidney stones and TURP bladder irrigation for the NCLEX-RN. 10 free · 67 cards in the app GI & Neuro GI bleeding, ulcers, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, IBD and ostomies, plus increased ICP, the Glasgow Coma Scale, stroke, seizures, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular disease and meningitis. 10 free · 71 cards in the app Musculoskeletal Fractures, compartment syndrome and the 6 Ps, cast and traction care, hip fracture and joint replacement precautions, fat embolism risk, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis versus rheumatoid arthritis, gout, amputation and phantom pain, and cane, crutch and walker teaching. 10 free · 65 cards in the app Oncology & Hematology Chemotherapy and immunotherapy toxicities, safe handling, radiation, neutropenic fever, bleeding, oncologic emergencies, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, anemias, transfusion reactions, anticoagulant monitoring, DIC, HIT, and supportive and end-of-life care. 10 free · 67 cards in the app Integumentary & Sensory Pressure injury stages and Braden, wound drainage and healing, dehiscence and evisceration, burns and grafts, skin infections and cancers, glaucoma, cataract and retinal care, eye drop technique, Ménière's, otitis media, hearing aids, and sensory safety. 10 free · 70 cards in the app Maternal & Newborn Naegele's rule and GTPAL, fetal heart rate patterns, labor stages, epidurals, previa vs abruption, preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage and lochia, Rh immune globulin, APGAR, newborn care, jaundice and breastfeeding. 10 free · 71 cards in the app Pediatrics Developmental milestones, Erikson, Piaget and play, vaccines, pain scales, croup versus epiglottitis, CF, heart defects, GI, renal, orthopedic and neural tube conditions, sickle cell and hemophilia, Wilms tumor, and child safety and maltreatment. 10 free · 79 cards in the app Mental Health Therapeutic communication, defense mechanisms, anxiety, trauma and panic, suicide risk, mania, schizophrenia, psychotropic adverse effects, eating disorders, withdrawal, personality disorders, delirium and dementia, abuse screening, and admission and restraint law. 10 free · 80 cards in the app

Cloze decks have one or more blanks per sentence; the app makes one card per blank.

Study guide

Topics covered

The decks follow the order of the course outline. Numbers are cards per topic.

  • Prioritization 32
  • Delegation 27
  • Infection Control 32
  • Falls & Restraints 8
  • Fire & Environmental Safety 3
  • Medication Safety 10
  • Consent & Advance Directives 5
  • Ethics & Legal 7
  • Clinical Judgment Model 3
  • Communication & Handoff 4
  • Fluid Balance 11
  • IV Fluids 12
  • Sodium 11
  • Potassium 12
  • Calcium 8
  • Magnesium 5
  • Phosphate 3
  • SIADH & Diabetes Insipidus 10
  • Acid-Base Links 4
  • Electrolytes 19
  • Glucose & Thyroid 9
  • Renal 11
  • Hematology 12
  • Coagulation 10
  • Cardiac & Lipids 5
  • Liver 18
  • Drug Levels 12
  • ABG Basics 16
  • ABG Practice 13
  • Specimens & Cultures 3
  • Cardiovascular 32
  • Diuretics 11
  • Anticoagulants & Antiplatelets 16
  • Diabetes 19
  • Gastrointestinal 19
  • Pain & Sedation 8
  • Psychiatric 16
  • Neurologic 13
  • Endocrine & Bone 10
  • Respiratory 23
  • Anti-infectives 24
  • Oncology & Immunology 4
  • Interactions & Teaching 8
  • Antidotes 36
  • Angina & MI 12
  • Heart Failure 11
  • Digoxin & Anticoagulation 3
  • Hypertension 4
  • Dysrhythmias 17
  • Pacemakers 2
  • Pericarditis · Endocarditis & Tamponade 7
  • Cardiac Cath & CABG 9
  • Shock 11
  • Peripheral Vascular & DVT 11
  • COPD 10
  • Asthma 8
  • Pneumonia 6
  • Tuberculosis 11
  • Pulmonary Embolism 3
  • Pneumothorax & Chest Tubes 14
  • ARDS 3
  • Tracheostomy & Suctioning 10
  • Oxygen Delivery 5
  • Ventilators 6
  • Hypoxia & Respiratory Assessment 12
  • Diabetes Emergencies 14
  • Diabetes Self-Care 11
  • Thyroid 14
  • Adrenal 10
  • Pituitary 3
  • Acute Kidney Injury 7
  • Chronic Kidney Disease 6
  • Dialysis 11
  • Urinary Tract 6
  • BPH & TURP 5
  • GI Bleeding & Ulcers 9
  • Gallbladder & Pancreas 5
  • Bowel & Ostomy 11
  • Increased ICP & GCS 14
  • Stroke 11
  • Seizures 4
  • Spinal Cord Injury 8
  • Neuromuscular Disorders 12
  • Meningitis 3
  • Fractures 10
  • Compartment Syndrome 7
  • Casts 6
  • Traction & External Fixation 5
  • Hip & Joint Replacement 9
  • Fat Embolism & Other Complications 3
  • Osteoporosis 5
  • Arthritis 10
  • Gout 3
  • Amputation 8
  • Assistive Devices 11
  • Mobility & Positioning 6
  • Chemotherapy Effects 16
  • Safe Handling 3
  • Radiation 9
  • Neutropenia & Infection 7
  • Thrombocytopenia & Bleeding 3
  • Oncologic Emergencies 8
  • Anemias 11
  • Blood Transfusion 12
  • Anticoagulant Monitoring 4
  • DIC & HIT 5
  • Hematologic Cancers 4
  • Supportive Care 4
  • Pressure Injuries 13
  • Burns 21
  • Skin Conditions 9
  • Eye Disorders 12
  • Eye Medications & Surgery 9
  • Ear Disorders 13
  • Sensory Safety 8
  • Wound Care 4
  • Prenatal Care 10
  • Fetal Monitoring 13
  • Labor & Birth 16
  • Antepartum Complications 14
  • Postpartum Care 19
  • Newborn Assessment 16
  • Newborn Jaundice 3
  • Breastfeeding 5
  • Growth & Development 16
  • Play & Communication 10
  • Immunizations 8
  • Pain Assessment 4
  • Cardiac 8
  • Endocrine 3
  • Hematology & Oncology 11
  • Safety & Maltreatment 14
  • Renal & Genitourinary 1
  • Musculoskeletal 1
  • Therapeutic Communication 12
  • Defense Mechanisms 7
  • Anxiety Disorders 9
  • Depression & Suicide 13
  • Bipolar Disorder 8
  • Schizophrenia 9
  • Psychotropic Adverse Effects 13
  • Eating Disorders 7
  • Substance Use & Withdrawal 9
  • Personality Disorders 6
  • Legal & Ethical 9
  • Neurocognitive Disorders 3

A study plan

  • 52 new cards a day covers everything in a month, leaving the last weeks for review.
  • 26 new cards a day covers everything in two months, leaving the last weeks for review.
  • 18 new cards a day covers everything in three months, leaving the last weeks for review.

Willys schedules reviews for you (FSRS spaced repetition), so the daily number above is only for new cards; reviews of what you have learned come back on their own. Study a topic's cards right after you meet it in class, suspend topics you have not reached yet, and use the app's quiz mode in the final two weeks.

How to get these decks

  1. Install Willys on your iPhone, iPad or Mac — App Store. 14-day free trial, then $14.99 a year.
  2. In Willys, tap Exam Library at the top of your Decks (or Browse Exam Library… under the + button), find the exam on its shelf or by search, tick it and tap Add.
  3. Study. The exam comes in as its own collapsible folder, every card scheduled by FSRS spaced repetition. Nothing you already have is changed.

Every deck is built into Willys

All 20 NCLEX-RN decks (1,448 cards), with FSRS spaced repetition, quizzes and mock tests, on iPhone, iPad and Mac. 14-day free trial, then $14.99 a year.

In Willys, tap Exam Library at the top of your Decks (or Browse Exam Library… under the + button), find the exam on its shelf or by search, tick it and tap Add.

About these cards

Review status: Second-reader reviewed, with corrections applied.

Checked against:

  • Checked against Open RN Nursing Management and Professional Concepts and Open RN Nursing Fundamentals (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0); reference only, no text copied.
  • Isolation categories cross-checked against the CDC 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions (public domain); delegation principles against the NCSBN and ANA National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation (2019); the clinical judgment steps against the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model; reference only.
  • Client identification checked against The Joint Commission's National Performance Goals (which replaced its National Patient Safety Goals for hospitals and critical access hospitals on 1 January 2026) and abbreviations against its official Do Not Use list; post-exposure prophylaxis timing against CDC guidance (public domain); social media against the NCSBN guide to social media use; reference only, no text copied.
  • Checked against Open RN Nursing Fundamentals, chapter on fluids and electrolytes (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0); reference only, no text copied.
  • OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, chapter on fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, consulted as a reference; no text copied.
  • Treatment principles cross-checked against MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); reference only.
  • IV-site complications, colloids and orthostatic vital signs checked against Open RN Nursing Skills (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0); DKA fluid and insulin principles against the 2024 ADA/EASD consensus report on hyperglycemic crises in adults; reference only, no text copied.
  • Reference ranges are the ones commonly taught for the NCLEX-RN and vary by laboratory; checked against Open RN Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Skills (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus Medical Tests (U.S. National Library of Medicine); reference only, no text copied.
  • Glycemic cut-offs follow the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026; CKD definitions follow the KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease; reference only.
  • Sepsis lactate and blood-culture timing checked against the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026 international guidelines; transfusion thresholds against the AABB 2023 international guidelines on red-cell transfusion; specimen collection against Open RN Nursing Skills (CC BY 4.0); visceral proteins against the ASPEN position paper on nutrition markers (2021); reference only, no text copied.
  • Drug levels and monitoring checked against FDA prescribing information on DailyMed (digoxin, valproate) and the 2020 ASHP/IDSA/PIDS/SIDP vancomycin monitoring consensus guideline; the jaundice threshold against the Merck Manual Professional Version; reference only, no text copied.
  • Checked against Open RN Nursing Pharmacology, 2e (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0); reference only, no text copied.
  • OpenStax Pharmacology for Nurses, consulted as a reference; no text copied.
  • Drug-specific adverse effects and antidotes cross-checked against FDA prescribing information on DailyMed; reference only.
  • Montelukast boxed warning checked against the FDA drug safety communication (2020); cephalosporin cross-reactivity against current allergy practice guidance; andexanet withdrawal against the FDA update on Andexxa (December 2025); reference only, no text copied.
  • Metformin and iodinated contrast checked against the FDA metformin prescribing information (section 2.4) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) Manual on Contrast Media; reference only.
  • Metformin and iodinated contrast checked against the American College of Radiology (ACR) Manual on Contrast Media; reference only.
  • Checked against Open RN Health Alterations and Open RN Nursing Fundamentals (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); reference only, no text copied.
  • Resuscitation and reperfusion principles cross-checked against the American Heart Association ACLS and ACC/AHA STEMI guidance; endocarditis prophylaxis against AHA recommendations; reference only.
  • CPR quality checked against the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC; the MAP target against the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026 international guidelines; nitroglycerin and post-MI activity teaching against AHA patient guidance; reference only, no text copied.
  • STEMI reperfusion times checked against the CMS emergency department STEMI measure (CMS996, 2026 specification); asystole care against the 2025 ILCOR Advanced Life Support CoSTR chapter; reference only, no text copied.
  • Checked against Open RN Health Alterations and Open RN Nursing Skills (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); reference only, no text copied.
  • Tuberculosis testing and treatment principles cross-checked against CDC tuberculosis guidance (public domain); peak flow zones against the NHLBI asthma guidelines (public domain); reference only.
  • Pulse oximetry limits checked against the FDA safety communication on pulse oximeter accuracy (2021); COPD spirometry against the GOLD 2026 report; latent versus active TB and IGRA testing against CDC (public domain); reference only, no text copied.
  • Perioperative sleep apnea care checked against the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine guidelines (2016 and 2018); reference only, no text copied.
  • Checked against Open RN Health Alterations and Open RN Nursing Pharmacology, 2e (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); reference only, no text copied.
  • OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, consulted as a reference; no text copied.
  • Diabetes emergency and sick-day principles cross-checked against American Diabetes Association patient guidance; kidney diet teaching against NIDDK (public domain); reference only.
  • Complication screening and hypoglycemia unawareness checked against the current ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes; CAUTI prevention against CDC/HICPAC guidance (public domain); transplant and peritoneal dialysis teaching against NIDDK (public domain); reference only, no text copied.
  • Kidney diet potassium teaching checked against the KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of CKD; reference only, no text copied.
  • Contrast-associated kidney injury checked against the 2020 ACR–NKF consensus statements on intravenous iodinated contrast in kidney disease; erythropoiesis-stimulating agent safety against the FDA epoetin alfa prescribing information; propylthiouracil liver warning against the FDA label and 2010 Drug Safety Communication; reference only, no text copied.
  • Checked against Open RN Health Alterations (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); reference only, no text copied.
  • Stroke screening cross-checked against American Stroke Association public guidance; meningitis isolation against the CDC Guideline for Isolation Precautions (public domain); hepatitis transmission against CDC viral hepatitis pages (public domain); reference only.
  • TIA urgency checked against American Stroke Association guidance; feeding-tube placement against ASPEN guidance; head-injury discharge advice against CDC HEADS UP (public domain); reference only, no text copied.
  • Acute pancreatitis care checked against the American College of Gastroenterology guideline on acute pancreatitis (2024); spinal-injury airway against the AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC (2025); reference only, no text copied.
  • NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan, in effect from 1 April 2026 (topic outline only; no text copied)
  • OpenStax Maternal-Newborn Nursing, OpenStax Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and OpenStax Medical-Surgical Nursing, consulted as references where available; no text copied.
  • Halo, spinal surgery, and crutch-gait care checked against Open RN Nursing Skills (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0); safe patient handling against the ANA Safe Patient Handling and Mobility standards; sprain care against MedlinePlus (public domain); reference only, no text copied.
  • Lymphedema precautions checked against the National Lymphedema Network position paper; myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, GVHD, and checkpoint-inhibitor toxicities against NCI and NHLBI pages (public domain); ITP management against the ASH 2019 guideline; end-of-life signs against the National Institute on Aging (public domain); port care against Open RN Nursing Skills (CC BY 4.0); reference only, no text copied.
  • Pressure injury staging and the moisture-damage distinction checked against the NPIAP pressure injury stages (2016); scabies care against CDC parasite guidance (public domain); wound care against Open RN Nursing Skills (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0); reference only, no text copied.
  • Prevention measures checked against the NPIAP/EPUAP/PPPIA International Guideline, 4th edition (2026); eye-drug effects against FDA prescribing information on DailyMed; shingles teaching against CDC guidance; eye care against MedlinePlus and the reference below; burn resuscitation against the American Burn Association burn shock resuscitation guideline (2023); reference only, no text copied.
  • OpenStax Clinical Nursing Skills, consulted as a reference; no text copied.
  • OpenStax Maternal-Newborn Nursing, consulted as a reference; no text copied.
  • Checked against Open RN Nursing Fundamentals (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); reference only, no text copied.
  • Fetal heart rate definitions cross-checked against the NICHD electronic fetal monitoring terminology; newborn prophylaxis and breastfeeding guides against CDC and AAP public guidance; reference only.
  • Group B strep timing checked against ACOG Committee Opinion 797 (2020); antenatal corticosteroids and gestational diabetes screening against ACOG guidance; postpartum MMR against CDC vaccine guidance (public domain); neonatal opioid withdrawal care against AAP guidance; reference only, no text copied.
  • Fact-checked 2026-10-11 against the NICHD 2008 fetal monitoring workshop definitions, ACOG's 2025 clinical practice guideline on intrapartum fetal heart rate monitoring, ACOG Practice Bulletin 222 (2020) on preeclampsia severe features, and ACOG Practice Bulletin 181 (2017) with the 2024 Clinical Practice Update on Rh immune globulin; reference only, no text copied.
  • Bronchiolitis and febrile seizure care checked against AAP clinical guidance; influenza vaccine and egg allergy, and vaccines for household contacts, against CDC/ACIP (public domain); lead screening against CDC (public domain); celiac disease and nephrotic syndrome against NIDDK (public domain); reference only, no text copied.
  • Delirium and dementia care checked against National Institute on Aging guidance (public domain); bupropion contraindications against FDA prescribing information on DailyMed; abuse screening against USPSTF and NIA guidance; PTSD and functional neurological symptom disorder against DSM-5-TR criteria (reference only); no text copied.
  • Lab ranges kept identical to the bank's NCLEX-RN — Lab Values & ABGs deck, itself checked against Open RN Nursing Fundamentals and Nursing Skills (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus Medical Tests (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
  • Precautions checked against the CDC/HICPAC 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions, Appendix A (public domain); delegation against the NCSBN/ANA National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation (2019); reference only, no text copied.
  • Norovirus precautions and hand hygiene checked against the CDC/HICPAC Guideline for the Prevention and Control of Norovirus Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings (2011); needlestick first aid against CDC/NIOSH guidance; the prerenal BUN-to-creatinine ratio against the Merck Manual Professional Version; sepsis lactate against the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2026 international guidelines; reference only, no text copied.
  • Antidotes cross-checked against FDA prescribing information on DailyMed; first actions against Open RN Nursing Skills and Nursing Management and Professional Concepts (CC BY 4.0) and the 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and ECC; reference only.
  • Checked against Open RN Nursing Fundamentals, Health Alterations and Nursing Skills (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); reference only, no text copied.
  • Resuscitation and reperfusion principles cross-checked against the 2025 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (adult advanced life support) and the 2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI guideline for acute coronary syndromes; tuberculosis principles against CDC tuberculosis guidance (public domain); peak flow zones against the NHLBI Expert Panel Report 3 asthma guidelines (public domain); reference only.
  • Topic outline follows the NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan, in effect from 1 April 2026 (no text copied).
  • OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e and OpenStax Medical-Surgical Nursing, consulted as references; no text copied.
  • Diabetes emergency and sick-day principles cross-checked against American Diabetes Association patient guidance; stroke screening against American Stroke Association public guidance; hepatitis transmission against CDC viral hepatitis pages (public domain); reference only.
  • OpenStax Maternal-Newborn Nursing and OpenStax Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, consulted as references; no text copied.
  • Checked against Open RN Nursing Fundamentals (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0) and MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); fetal heart rate terms against the NICHD electronic fetal monitoring terminology; reference only, no text copied.
  • Checked against Open RN Nursing Pharmacology, 2e, Open RN Nursing Management and Professional Concepts and Open RN Nursing Fundamentals (Chippewa Valley Technical College, CC BY 4.0); reference only, no text copied.
  • OpenStax Pharmacology for Nurses and OpenStax Medical-Surgical Nursing, consulted as references; no text copied.
  • Drug-specific adverse effects and antidotes cross-checked against FDA prescribing information on DailyMed; isolation categories against the CDC Guideline for Isolation Precautions (public domain); delegation principles against the NCSBN and ANA National Guidelines for Nursing Delegation; topic outline from the NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan (in effect from 1 April 2026); reference only.

These are independent study notes written for Willys. They are not official exam material, may contain mistakes, and are no substitute for your course, your teacher or the exam owner's own publications. Found an error? Tell us — corrections ship as a new version of the deck.

Not clinical guidance. These cards prepare you for an exam. Never use them to make decisions about a patient's care: follow current guidelines, prescribing information and your institution's policies. The decks contain no doses.

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