NCLEX RN & PN coaching

# 🧠 NCLEX AIRWAY CHEAT SHEET (2026)

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# # 1️⃣ Priority: ABC

Mnemonic: “Airway Before Circulation”

- Always check Airway → Breathing → Circulation
- If airway blocked → life-threatening emergency

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# # 2️⃣ Signs of Airway Obstruction

Mnemonic: “TRIP”

- Trouble breathing
- Retractions (neck/chest)
- Inspiratory stridor (high-pitched noise)
- Panic / cyanosis

> Any of these → Airway = priority

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# # 3️⃣ Steps to Open Airway

Mnemonic: “HEAD LIFT / CHIN LIFT”

- Head tilt
- Chin lift
- Jaw thrust (for trauma/spinal precautions)

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# # 4️⃣ Airway Adjuncts

Mnemonic: “OPA = Oral, NPA = Nose”

- OPA → Oral airway → Unconscious, no gag reflex
- NPA → Nasal airway → Conscious, gag reflex intact

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# # 5️⃣ Rescue Breathing / CPR

Mnemonic: “CAB”

- C – Compressions first (30)
- A – Airway open
- B – Breaths 2

> Adults → start with compressions

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# # 6️⃣ Quick Cheat for Exam

- Airway → Blocked = LIFE PRIORITY
- Breathing → Rate, depth, O₂
- Circulation → Pulse, perfusion
- Obstruction → TRIP
- Open airway → HEAD LIFT / CHIN LIFT
- Adjuncts → OPA / NPA

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# # # ⚡ Tip: Safety First

- Always assess airway first
- Any patient with stridor, cyanosis, choking → priority intervention
- Keep emergency airway equipment nearby

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NCLEX EENT CHEAT SHEET (2026) – HIGH YIELD

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👁️ E = EYES | 👂 E = EARS | 👃 N = NOSE | 👅 T = THROAT

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👁️ EYES (OPHTHALMIC)

🔑 COMMON CONDITIONS
• Conjunctivitis → red eye, discharge
• Glaucoma → ↑ eye pressure
• Cataract → cloudy lens
• Macular degeneration → central vision loss

⚡ EASY MEMORY
• Glaucoma = “G = Giant pressure”
• Cataract = “Cloudy camera lens”

🚨 NCLEX TIPS
• Glaucoma → DO NOT give atropine (increases pressure)
• Sudden vision loss = EMERGENCY
• Post eye surgery → avoid coughing/bending

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👂 EARS (OTIC)

🔑 CONDITIONS
• Otitis media → middle ear infection
• Meniere’s disease → vertigo, tinnitus
• Hearing loss

⚡ MEMORY
• Meniere’s = “3 D’s”
→ Dizziness
→ Deafness
→ “Drone” (tinnitus)

🚨 NCLEX TIPS
• Vertigo → safety first (fall risk)
• Ear drops → pull ear
Adult = UP & BACK
Child = DOWN & BACK

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👃 NOSE (NASAL)

🔑 CONDITIONS
• Epistaxis (nosebleed)
• Sinusitis

⚡ MEMORY
• Nosebleed → “Lean FORWARD, not back”

🚨 NCLEX TIPS
• Apply pressure 10–15 min
• Do NOT tilt head back (aspiration risk)

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👅 THROAT (ORAL / PHARYNX)

🔑 CONDITIONS
• Tonsillitis
• Pharyngitis
• Dysphagia (swallowing problem)

⚡ MEMORY
• Swallow problem = “Aspiration risk = priority”

🚨 NCLEX TIPS
• After tonsillectomy → watch for bleeding
• Best position = side-lying
• Frequent swallowing = bleeding sign ⚠️

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🧠 CRANIAL NERVES (EENT CONNECTION)

CN II → Vision
CN VIII → Hearing & balance
CN IX, X → Swallow
CN I → Smell

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🚨 PRIORITY CHEAT

• Vision loss → EMERGENCY
• Vertigo → FALL RISK
• Swallowing problem → AIRWAY FIRST
• Bleeding (tonsils/nose) → URGENT

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📝 QUICK PRACTICE

1. Patient with glaucoma – avoid which drug?
→ Atropine

2. Patient with nosebleed – what position?
→ Lean forward

3. Patient dizzy with ear problem – priority?
→ Fall precautions

4. Post tonsillectomy frequent swallowing means?
→ Bleeding

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✅ FINAL TIP
EENT = Think SAFETY
Eyes → vision
Ears → balance
Nose → bleeding
Throat → airway

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NCLEX CRANIAL NERVES CHEAT SHEET (2026)

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🧠 NAMES MNEMONIC
Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet, AH!

🧠 FUNCTION MNEMONIC
Some Say Money Matters, But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More

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📊 CRANIAL NERVES TABLE

I – Olfactory → Smell → Sensory
II – Optic → Vision → Sensory
III – Oculomotor → Eye movement → Motor
IV – Trochlear → Eye movement → Motor
V – Trigeminal → Face sensation + chewing → Both
VI – Abducens → Eye movement → Motor
VII – Facial → Facial expression + taste → Both
VIII – Vestibulocochlear → Hearing + balance → Sensory
IX – Glossopharyngeal → Swallow + gag → Both
X – Vagus → Heart, lungs, gut → Both
XI – Accessory → Shoulder + neck → Motor
XII – Hypoglossal → Tongue → Motor

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⚡ QUICK MEMORY TRICKS

Eyes → 3, 4, 6
Face → 5 (feel), 7 (smile)
Hearing → 8
Swallow → 9, 10
Tongue → 12

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🚨 NCLEX HIGH-YIELD TIPS

• Facial droop → CN VII (stroke sign)
• Difficulty swallowing → CN IX & X (aspiration risk)
• Tongue deviates → CN XII
• Dizziness / vertigo → CN VIII
• Vagus nerve (CN X) → controls vital organs (VERY IMPORTANT)

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📝 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Patient cannot smile on one side.
→ Answer: CN VII

2. Patient has no gag reflex.
→ Answer: CN IX & X

3. Patient has hearing loss.
→ Answer: CN VIII

4. Tongue deviates to one side.
→ Answer: CN XII

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✅ FINAL TIP
Focus on patterns, not memorization:
Eyes (3,4,6) | Face (5,7) | Swallow (9,10) | Life (10)

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Normal lab values