Learn
Nursing how-to guides
Step-by-step guides to the scores, formulas and assessments nursing students use every day, each with a worked example, an NCLEX tip and sources.
Glasgow Coma ScaleHow to score the Glasgow Coma Scale step by stepBUN to creatinine ratioHow to calculate the BUN to creatinine ratio, the normal range, what a high or low ratio means (dehydration, GI bleed, kidney injury) and nursing actions.Apgar scoreHow to calculate the Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutesBraden ScaleHow to use the Braden Scale for pressure injury riskMorse Fall ScaleHow to score the Morse Fall ScaleBlood flow through the heartThe order of blood flow through the heart step by stepIsotonic, hypotonic, hypertonicIsotonic vs hypotonic vs hypertonic IV fluids explainedThird spacingThird spacing in nursing explainedChvostek and Trousseau signsHow to check Chvostek's sign and Trousseau's sign for hypocalcemia, what a positive result looks like, causes of low calcium and the nursing actions that follow.Decorticate vs decerebrateDecorticate vs decerebrate posturing explainedPulse pointsThe pulse points nurses check (temporal, carotid, apical, brachial, radial, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis), how to find each and how to grade pulse strength.Abdominal quadrantsThe four abdominal quadrants and the organs in each (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ), the nine regions, the right order for an abdominal assessment and what pain in each area suggests.EKG lead placementWhere to place EKG leadsMean arterial pressure (MAP)How to calculate MAPDKA vs HHSDKA vs HHS compared
Looking for a disease or drug? See nursing care plans by condition or the cheat sheets.