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NCLEX Pharmacology Priority Sheets

Fast, exam-focused medication review cards for nursing students.
What to do first, hold parameters, toxicity signs, and NCLEX traps — under 2 minutes.

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Digoxin Toxicity Warfarin vs Heparin Insulin Types Vancomycin Infusion Reaction

Free study resource for NCLEX-RN pharmacology review. No login required.

Cardiac - Sample Sheet

Digoxin Toxicity

Cardiac glycoside with a narrow therapeutic index. NCLEX often tests early toxicity signs, heart-rate hold parameters, renal clearance, and the hypokalemia connection.

What to do first

1. Assess apical pulse for 1 full minute before each dose.
2. Recognize anorexia as the earliest classic toxicity clue, followed by nausea and vomiting.
3. Review potassium and renal function because low K+ and renal impairment increase toxicity risk.

Hold If

Notify the provider and follow institutional protocol for apical pulse <60 bpm in adults, visual changes, new arrhythmias, confusion, or suspected toxicity.

Hypokalemia (K+ <3.5 mEq/L) is a major toxicity amplifier. Anticipate ordered potassium correction rather than treating independently.

Labs to Watch

Digoxin level: NCLEX commonly uses 0.5-2.0 ng/mL. Heart failure targets may be lower (0.5-0.9 ng/mL), while some atrial fibrillation references cite 0.8-2.0 ng/mL.

Watch potassium, magnesium, BUN, and creatinine. Draw trough level at least 6-8 hours after the last dose.

Study Format

What You Get in Every Priority Sheet

A standardized, one-page format that covers everything NCLEX tests on pharmacology — nothing more, nothing less.

Quick Answer

The single most important thing to know about this drug — in one or two sentences.

First Nursing Action

What to do first, in priority order. The action that saves the patient and earns the point.

Hold / Call Provider

Exact hold parameters and when to notify the provider. No more guessing on exam day.

Labs to Watch

Therapeutic ranges, normal values, and why each lab matters for this specific drug.

Toxicity Signs

Body-system breakdown of early and late toxicity signs. Know what to look for first.

NCLEX Trap + Mini Quiz

The most common trick question about this drug — with full rationale for every answer choice.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Ask Osler, Priority Sheets, and how to use them for NCLEX prep.

What is a Priority Sheet?

A Priority Sheet is a one-page, structured study card for a specific NCLEX pharmacology topic. It covers what to do first, hold parameters, labs to monitor, toxicity signs, and common NCLEX traps — all in under 2 minutes of reading time.

Is Ask Osler free?

Yes. All Priority Sheets are free to read. No login, no paywall, no subscription required. We may add optional premium features in the future, but the core pharmacology sheets will always be free.

Is this official NCLEX content?

No. Ask Osler is an independent study resource for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCSBN, Pearson VUE, UWorld, Kaplan, Saunders, or any testing organization.

How accurate is the drug information?

Content is based on published nursing pharmacology references and current guideline notes where relevant. It is an educational study aid, not medical advice and not for clinical use.

Can I use this in clinical practice?

No. Priority Sheets are designed for exam preparation only. They are not a substitute for your institution's protocols, drug labeling, or professional nursing judgment. Always verify drug information against current references before clinical application.

Which drugs are covered?

The first sample set covers digoxin, warfarin vs heparin, insulin types, vancomycin infusion reaction, and phenytoin. More sheets will be added after the sample format passes QA.

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Pick a drug. Read the sheet. Pass the question.
Free NCLEX pharmacology Priority Sheets — no login required.

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