Nursing Cheat Sheets: Quick Reference Guides for Essential Concepts

Nursing cheat sheets are invaluable tools that provide quick, concise information on key topics, making them perfect for study sessions, clinical practice, and exam preparation. Below are some essential cheat sheets covering various nursing concepts, from vital signs and medication administration to common abbreviations and lab values.

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1. Vital Signs Cheat Sheet

Normal Ranges:

• Temperature: 36.5°C – 37.5°C (97.8°F – 99.5°F)
• Heart Rate (Pulse): 60-100 beats per minute
• Respiratory Rate: 12-20 breaths per minute
• Blood Pressure: 90/60 mmHg – 120/80 mmHg
• Oxygen Saturation (SpO2): 95%-100%
• Pain Level: 0-10 scale (subjective, assess based on patient report)

Key Points:

• Always compare the patient’s vital signs to their baseline.
• Document any deviations from normal ranges and report them if necessary.
• Use the appropriate method for measuring each vital sign (e.g., auscultation for blood pressure, pulse oximetry for SpO2).

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2. Medication Administration Cheat Sheet: The “5 Rights”

Ensure safe medication administration by following these “5 Rights”:

1. Right Patient: Verify patient identity using two identifiers (e.g., name, date of birth).
2. Right Medication: Double-check the medication label and match it with the prescription.
3. Right Dose: Confirm the correct dose based on the prescription and the patient’s condition.
4. Right Route: Administer the medication via the prescribed route (oral, IV, IM, etc.).
5. Right Time: Give the medication at the correct time, considering the frequency and timing of other medications.

Additional Tips:

• Always check for allergies before administering any medication.
• Be aware of potential drug interactions.
• Document the administration and any patient reactions.

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3. Lab Values Cheat Sheet

Common Lab Values and Normal Ranges:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC):
  • WBC (White Blood Cells): 4,500-11,000 cells/mcL
  • RBC (Red Blood Cells): 4.7-6.1 million cells/mcL (men); 4.2-5.4 million cells/mcL (women)
  • Hemoglobin: 13.8-17.2 g/dL (men); 12.1-15.1 g/dL (women)
  • Hematocrit: 40.7%-50.3% (men); 36.1%-44.3% (women)
  • Platelets: 150,000-450,000 cells/mcL
• Electrolytes:
  • Sodium (Na+): 135-145 mEq/L
  • Potassium (K+): 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
  • Calcium (Ca2+): 8.5-10.2 mg/dL
  • Magnesium (Mg2+): 1.5-2.5 mEq/L
• Renal Function:
  • BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): 7-20 mg/dL
  • Creatinine: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL
• Liver Function:
  • AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): 10-40 IU/L
  • ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase): 7-56 IU/L
  • Bilirubin: 0.1-1.2 mg/dL

Key Points:

• Abnormal lab values should be reported immediately.
• Compare lab results with patient history and clinical findings.
• Consider potential causes of abnormal values (e.g., dehydration, kidney disease).

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4. IV Fluids Cheat Sheet

Common IV Fluids and Their Uses:

• Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl): Isotonic; used for fluid resuscitation and compatible with blood transfusions.
• Lactated Ringer’s (LR): Isotonic; used for fluid resuscitation, especially in trauma or surgery patients.
• D5W (5% Dextrose in Water): Isotonic; used to provide free water and treat hypoglycemia, but may become hypotonic once dextrose is metabolized.
• 1/2 Normal Saline (0.45% NaCl): Hypotonic; used to treat hypernatremia and as a maintenance fluid.
• D5 1/2 NS (5% Dextrose in 0.45% NaCl): Hypertonic; used for maintenance fluid and provides calories.

Key Points:

• Know the tonicity of the IV fluids and their indications.
• Monitor for signs of fluid overload, especially in patients with heart failure or renal impairment.
• Document the type, amount, and rate of IV fluids administered.

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5. Patient Positioning Cheat Sheet

Common Patient Positions and Their Uses:

• Supine: Patient lies flat on their back; used for general comfort and during surgery.
• Prone: Patient lies flat on their stomach; used for certain surgeries and to improve oxygenation in ARDS patients.
• Fowler’s Position: Patient is seated at a 45-60° angle; used for respiratory issues, eating, and NG tube insertion.
• Semi-Fowler’s Position: Patient is seated at a 30-45° angle; used to prevent aspiration and improve breathing.
• Lateral (Side-lying): Patient lies on their side; used to prevent pressure ulcers and during recovery from certain surgeries.
• Trendelenburg: Patient’s head is lower than their feet; used in hypotension and some surgical procedures.
• Reverse Trendelenburg: Patient’s head is higher than their feet; used to reduce reflux and increase venous return.

Key Points:

• Choose the appropriate position based on the patient’s condition.
• Reposition patients regularly to prevent pressure ulcers.
• Ensure patient comfort and safety when positioning.

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6. Common Medical Abbreviations Cheat Sheet

Frequently Used Abbreviations:

• q.d. – Once a day
• b.i.d. – Twice a day
• t.i.d. – Three times a day
• q.i.d. – Four times a day
• prn – As needed
• ac – Before meals
• pc – After meals
• NPO – Nothing by mouth
• PO – By mouth (oral)
• IV – Intravenous
• IM – Intramuscular
• SC or SQ – Subcutaneous
• CBC – Complete Blood Count
• BP – Blood Pressure
• HR – Heart Rate
• RR – Respiratory Rate
• O2 – Oxygen
• CXR – Chest X-ray

Key Points:

• Always double-check abbreviations, especially if unfamiliar.
• Use approved abbreviations to prevent errors in documentation.
• Be aware of “Do Not Use” abbreviations that can cause confusion.

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7. Infection Control Cheat Sheet

Types of Precautions:

• Standard Precautions: Use for all patients (hand hygiene, gloves when needed).
• Contact Precautions: Use for patients with infections spread by direct or indirect contact (gown, gloves).
• Droplet Precautions: Use for infections spread by large droplets (mask, gown, gloves).
• Airborne Precautions: Use for infections spread by small particles (N95 respirator, negative pressure room).

Key Points:

• Always perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact.
• Use appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) based on the type of precaution.
• Dispose of PPE properly to prevent the spread of infection.

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Conclusion

Nursing cheat sheets provide quick access to essential information, helping you stay organized and confident in your practice. Whether you’re preparing for an exam, performing a clinical procedure, or caring for patients, these reference guides are an invaluable resource for ensuring accuracy and efficiency in nursing care. Keep these cheat sheets handy to enhance your knowledge and improve patient outcomes.