Adult Nursing
Study Guide
Medical-surgical nursing covers the largest portion of NCLEX-RN (adult health). Start with body systems you find most challenging.
Cardiovascular System
- heart-failure — HF pathophysiology & management
- coronary-artery-disease — MI assessment & interventions
- hypertension-assessment-and-management — HTN classification & treatment
- coronary-artery-disease — CAD risk factors & management
- systematic-ecg-interpretation-and-dysrhythmia-triage — ECG interpretation basics
- peripheral-vascular-system-and-insufficiency-patterns — PVD/PAD nursing care
Respiratory System
- pneumonia — Types, assessment, antibiotics
- chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease — Emphysema vs chronic bronchitis
- asthma-action-plan-and-exacerbation-management — Triggers, rescue vs maintenance meds
- pneumothorax — Chest tube management
- deep-vein-thrombosis — Risk factors, Virchow’s triad
Neurological System
- stroke — Ischemic vs hemorrhagic, tPA window
- common-neurological-disorders-recognition-and-priority-care — Types, precautions, medications
- meningitis-priority-care-and-icp-risk — Signs, interventions, positioning
- common-neurological-disorders-recognition-and-priority-care — GCS, monitoring, nursing care
Endocrine System
- diabetes-mellitus — Type 1 vs Type 2, insulin management
- diabetes-mellitus — DKA emergency management
- thyroid-disorders — Hypo vs hyperthyroidism
- adrenal-disorders — Cushing’s vs Addison’s
Gastrointestinal System
- digestive-system — H. pylori, NSAID-related
- inflammatory-bowel-disease — Crohn’s vs UC
- digestive-system — Portal hypertension, ascites
- bowel-obstruction — Small vs large bowel
Renal/Urinary System
- acute-kidney-injury — Prerenal, intrarenal, postrenal
- kidney-disease — Stages, dialysis
- bladder-assessment — Upper vs lower UTI
Musculoskeletal System
- common-musculoskeletal-disorders-recognition-and-care-priorities — Types, traction, cast care
- common-musculoskeletal-disorders-recognition-and-care-priorities — Hip & knee arthroplasty
- common-musculoskeletal-disorders-recognition-and-care-priorities — Risk factors, prevention
Hematologic/Immune System
- anemia-overview-and-transfusion-thresholds — Types, iron deficiency, B12
- sickle-cell-disease — Crisis management
- aplastic-anemia-pancytopenia-management — AML, ALL, CML, CLL
- active-and-passive-immunity — Opportunistic infections, ART
Cross-Cutting Themes
- pain-management — Assessment scales, pharmacology
- fluid-electrolyte-regulation-by-organs — IV fluids, imbalances
- perioperative-surgical-classification-anesthesia-and-innovation — Pre/intra/post-op nursing
- infection-control — Standard & transmission-based precautions
- wound-assessment-tools-and-documentation-standards — Assessment, staging, treatment