Preparing for the NCLEX can feel overwhelming, especially with the extensive medical vocabulary involved. To simplify your studies and boost your confidence, we’ve carefully selected 20 essential nursing terms that frequently appear on the NCLEX exam. Master these key terms to enhance your exam readiness and build a strong foundation for your nursing career.
Quick Reference Table
| Term | Definition | Quick NCLEX Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Anaphylaxis | Severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. | Treat immediately with epinephrine. |
| Bradycardia | Heart rate below 60 bpm in adults. | Assess patient stability and underlying cause. |
| Cyanosis | Blue/purple skin due to low oxygen. | Immediate oxygenation needed. |
| Diaphoresis | Excessive sweating. | Common in cardiac emergencies. |
| Edema | Swelling due to fluid retention. | Check cardiac, renal, or liver function. |
| Febrile | Relating to fever. | Often indicates infection; monitor closely. |
| Hemostasis | Process of stopping bleeding. | Essential knowledge for surgical nursing. |
| Ischemia | Reduced blood supply to tissues. | Commonly associated with chest pain (angina). |
| Jaundice | Yellow discoloration due to bilirubin. | Assess liver function promptly. |
| Kussmaul Respirations | Deep, labored breathing. | Indicates severe metabolic acidosis (DKA). |
| Leukocytosis | Elevated white blood cell count. | Often signals infection or inflammation. |
| Malignant | Severe, progressive disease (cancer). | Understand implications for patient prognosis. |
| Necrosis | Death of tissue due to poor blood flow. | Recognize quickly to prevent further damage. |
| Orthostatic Hypotension | Low BP when standing. | Teach patient slow positional changes. |
| Palliative Care | Care focused on symptom relief. | Integral in chronic and terminal illness care. |
| Quarantine | Isolation to prevent disease spread. | Critical for infection control protocols. |
| Rales | Crackling lung sounds. | Indicates fluid in lungs (CHF, pneumonia). |
| Sepsis | Life-threatening infection response. | Rapid recognition and treatment critical. |
| Tachypnea | Abnormally rapid breathing. | Associated with respiratory distress. |
| Uremia | High waste products in blood. | Linked to kidney failure; manage carefully. |
Why These Terms Matter for the NCLEX in 2025
The NCLEX exam has evolved to emphasize clinical judgment and practical knowledge application. These specific terms are not only common on the exam but integral to scenarios testing your decision-making abilities. Understanding these terms thoroughly will greatly enhance your ability to tackle complex patient scenarios confidently.
Practice Questions
Question 1:
A patient presents to the ER with severe swelling, difficulty breathing, and hives after a bee sting. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
- A. Administer diphenhydramine
- B. Administer epinephrine (Correct answer)
- C. Prepare patient for intubation
- D. Elevate patient’s legs
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Question 2:
A patient stands quickly and feels dizzy. Blood pressure readings show significant drop upon standing. This condition is known as:
- A. Bradycardia
- B. Tachypnea
- C. Orthostatic hypotension (Correct answer)
- D. Cyanosis
Question 3:
Deep, labored breathing observed in a diabetic patient with elevated blood glucose is most likely:
- A. Tachypnea
- B. Kussmaul respirations (Correct answer)
- C. Bradypnea
- D. Eupnea
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Want to crush your exams with confidence? Check out our Ultimate Nursing Vocabulary and Key Concepts Guide (2025) — packed with must-know terms, clear definitions, and memory tricks to help you ace the NCLEX.
📘 Read the Full GuideQuestion 4:
A patient with liver dysfunction exhibits yellowing of the skin and eyes. This condition is best documented as:
- A. Cyanosis
- B. Necrosis
- C. Jaundice (Correct answer)
- D. Diaphoresis
Boost Your NCLEX Readiness!
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