Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com)

Hello! I'm Nurse Sarah. I'm an RN, happily married, and a mother to my two boys. I teach nursing lectures through my website,

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Before You Give These Meds, Check these Labs!

Furosemide = Potassium (↓ K+)
Spironolactone = Potassium (↑ K+)
Digoxin = Digoxin level & Potassium (↓ K+ = toxicity)
ACE Inhibitors/ARBs = Creatinine & K+ (↑ K+)
Heparin = aPTT & Platelets
Warfarin = PT/INR
Lithium = Lithium level, Creatinine, Na+ (↓ Na+ = toxicity)
Valproic Acid = LFTs, Platelets, & Drug Level
Phenytoin = Phenytoin Level (10-20 mcg/mL)
Statins = AST/ALT (Liver) & CK (Muscles)
Vancomycin = Trough & Creatinine
Aminoglycosides = Peak/Trough & Creatinine
Metformin = Creatinine/eGFR (Hold for contrast dye!)
Insulin = Glucose
Clozapine = WBC & ANC (Watch for agranulocytosis)
Levothyroxine = TSH (Long-term monitoring)

#nursing #nursingschool #pharmacology

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

5 Med Suffixes for Nursing School Pharmacology
-sone/-olone: Corticosteroids. ↓ inflammation. Taper off. Monitor: ↑ blood glucose, infection, weight gain.
-tide: GLP-1 agonist. ↓ blood glucose/weight loss. Monitor: N/V, pancreatitis.
-olol: Beta blockers. ↓ HR/BP. Avoid non-selective in asthma. Monitor: HR <60, hypotension.
-pril: ACE inhibitors. ↓ BP. Monitor: ↑ K+, dry cough, angioedema.
-zolam/zepam: Benzodiazepine. Sedative. Antidote: Flumazenil. Monitor: Respiratory depression, dependence.

#nursingschool #nclex #pharmacology

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Electrolyte ECG Changes:
HYPOkalemia (Potassium: < 3.5 mEq/L) • Flat T waves • U waves present
HYPERkalemia (Potassium: > 5.0 mEq/L) • Tall T waves HYPOcalcemia (Calcium: < 8.5 mg/dL) • Long QT interval HYPERcalcemia (Calcium: > 10.5 mg/dL) • Short QT interval
🧠Memory Trick Each electrolyte imbalance has the opposite ECG change of its opposing imbalance. Hypokalemia = Flat T waves & U waves
Hyperkalemia = Tall, peaked T waves
Hypocalcemia = Long QT interval
Hypercalcemia = Short QT interval

#nursing #ecg #nursingschool #nclex

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Must-Know Vitamin Deficiencies for NCLEX
↓ Vit A = night blindness, poor immunity
↓ Vit D = bone pain/fractures, RICKETS
↓ Vit K = bleeding/bruising, Warfarin ANTIDOTE
↓ Vit C = bleeding gums, poor wound healing, SCURVY (remember the "C")
↓ B12 = megaloblastic ANEMIA, numbness/tingling, risk w/ Metformin/Famotidine
↓ B1 (Thiamine) = confusion, ataxia, risk w/ ALCOHOLISM
↓ B9 (Folate) = megaloblastic ANEMIA, neural tube defects, pregnancy essential
↓ B3 (Niacin) = pellagra -> 3 D’s: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia

#nclex #nursing #nursingschool

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Top 5 Antibiotics for NCLEX:
-PENICILLINS: end w/ -cillin. common allergy; cross-sensitivity w/ cephalosporins.
-CEPHALOSPORINS: starts w/ cef/ceph-. cross-sensitivity w/ PCN; nephrotoxic. avoid alcohol (disulfiram reaction); monitor PT/INR (bleeding risk).
-MACROLIDES: end w/ -thromycin. prolongs QT interval (torsades risk); hepatotoxic. take w/ food if GI upset occurs.
-AMINOGLYCOSIDES: end w/ -mycin/-micin. nephrotoxic & ototoxic. draw trough right before next dose; peak 30 min after IV / 1 hr IM.
-FLUOROQUINOLONES: end w/ -floxacin. tendon rupture risk; prolongs QT. avoid dairy/antacids (lowers absorption) and pregnancy/kids. increase fluids (prevents crystals).

#nclex #nursingschool #nursingstudent #pharmacology

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

The answer is D, ovum. The ovum is the female egg, and it is the largest cell in the human body by volume, measuring roughly 0.12 mm in diameter. Interestingly, it is the only cell that is visible to the human eye. Neurons are nerve cells, and they are the LONGEST cells in the human body, followed by myocytes (specifically skeletal muscle cells). Erythrocytes are red blood cells, and they are much smaller than the other cells listed above.

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

What is the largest cell in the human body?
A. Erythrocyte
B. Neuron
C. Myocyte
D. Ovum

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

NCLEX Tip: Don’t confuse stable vs. unstable angina

-STABLE (think “S”)
See it coming = predictable w/ activity or stress
Short = lasts <15 min
Stops = relieved w/ rest or nitro

-UNSTABLE (think “UN”)
Unexpected = occurs at rest
Unrelenting = lasts >15 min
Unaltered = not relieved w/ rest or nitro

#nclex #nursing #nursingschool

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

If you need help with ECG, check out my ECG study guide: https://t.co/5gqnVhl97R

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Top ECG rhythms you want to know:
Normal sinus rhythm = everything is working as it should
Sinus tachycardia = pumping too fast but regular
Sinus bradycardia = pumping too slow but regular
Atrial fibrillation = atria are quivering
Atrial flutter = saw tooth appearance
Ventricular fibrillation = ventricles are quivering
Ventricular tachycardia = ventricles are pumping too fast
Torsades de Pointes = twisting appearance
First-degree heart block = PR interval >0.20 seconds regularly
Second-degree heart block = Lengthening PR intervals with dropped QRS complex
Third-degree heart block = P waves have no relationship with QRS complex
Asystole = heart is at a standstill. Start CPR STAT!
Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) = no pulse; start CPR STAT!

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

NCLEX: Know when to cardiovert vs. defibrillate!

-CARDIOVERT: Pulse PRESENT. Used for UNSTABLE a-fib, svt, a-flutter, v-tach w/ pulse. Goal: CONVERT rhythm. SYNCHRONIZED shock w/ R-wave. Sedate if possible.

-DEFIBRILLATE: Pulse GONE. Used for v-fib & pulseless v-tach. NOT used for PEA or asystole. Goal: RESET the heart. Shock IMMEDIATELY.

#nclex #nursing #nursingschool #nurse

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Congratulations to all of the 2026 nursing school graduates, as well as all of the other students graduating! This is a BIG DEAL! You have accomplished something so amazing, and I am so proud of you and excited for your future. I love you all and wish you nothing but the best!!

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

NCLEX Tip: Ileostomy vs. Colostomy
-ILEOSTOMY: Small intestine/ileum. Liquid output = HIGH risk for dehydration + skin breakdown.
-COLOSTOMY: Large intestine/colon. Output varies: Liquid (ascending) to formed (sigmoid).
✅STOMA CHECK: Pink/Red/Moist = GOOD; Dusky/Purple/Black = BAD (emergency sign)

#nursingschool #NCLEX #nursingstudent #ostomy

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

NCLEX Study Tip: Don't mix up your anticoagulants!
-HEPARIN: Works fast. IV or SubQ. Monitor aPTT. Antidote Protamine Sulfate.
-WARFARIN: Works slow. Oral (PO), Monitor PT/INR. Antidote Vitamin K.

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Happy International Nurses Day to all of my fellow nurses all over the world!

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

NCLEX traps to Avoid:
1. Don’t judge your performance by question difficulty. The NCLEX is adaptive, so questions change based on your answers. Focus on one question at a time.
2. Don’t panic if the test doesn’t shut off at 85. You can pass or fail at the minimum or maximum number of questions. Keep going and stay focused.

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

New Nurse Reminder: There is NO such thing as a stupid question. If you’re unsure about something, ask. Even the most experienced nurses still ask questions. That’s not weakness....it’s being smart and keeping patients safe.

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Happy Nurses Week to all nurses: past, present, and those on the way. It’s a privilege to be part of this amazing profession that works tirelessly to care for others. I'm so thankful for the pioneers of our field and those in the profession today who continue to raise the standard of patient care and shape the future of nursing. Over the years, I've been shaped, encouraged, and taught by some exceptional nurses whom I deeply admire. It's an honor to be counted among you. I love you all 💜💜💜

#nurses #nurse #nursesweek #nursing

[Nurse Sarah (RegisteredNurseRN.com) @NursesRN]

Nurse burnout is REAL, but before you leave the profession, it's worth asking:
1. Am I taking adequate time off to rest & enjoy life? All work and no play makes a nurse lose their way. 2. Am I in the right specialty? A switch could be life-changing. 3. Is this just new-job stress? Many things improve with time.
If you still decide nursing isn't for you, that's okay. But those things are worth checking first.

#nurse #nursing #nursingschool