70 Diseases NCLEX Cheat Sheet PDF: Your Secret Weapon Against Test Anxiety
Here's the thing about NCLEX prep – it feels impossible until it clicks. One day you're drowning in flashcards, the next you're actually remembering that weird interaction between warfarin and leafy greens. But let's be real: 70 diseases sounds like a lot until you realize it's barely scratching the surface of what you need to know.
The good news? You don't need to memorize every single disease equally. Now, you need to understand which ones show up most often, what makes them tick, and how they actually affect your patients. That's where a smart cheat sheet becomes your best friend That's the part that actually makes a difference..
What Is This NCLEX Disease Cheat Sheet?
This isn't your typical cram-and-forget study guide. Think of it as a strategic roadmap through the most commonly tested diseases on the NCLEX-RN exam. It breaks down 70 essential conditions into digestible chunks – not just random facts, but the clinical reasoning behind why certain symptoms matter and what interventions actually work Small thing, real impact..
Each disease entry focuses on what nurses do: assess, intervene, and prioritize. We're talking pathophysiology simplified, key signs and symptoms highlighted, and the interventions that save lives. No fluff, no textbook paragraphs that put you to sleep.
Why 70 Specifically?
Honestly, there's no magic number. But 70 gives you enough variety to cover major body systems while keeping things manageable. These are diseases that have appeared consistently on NCLEX exams over the years – the ones that separate competent new grad nurses from those who still panic when they hear "myocardial infarction Worth keeping that in mind..
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Most nursing students make the same mistake: they try to memorize everything equally. In practice, they spend hours on rare genetic disorders while barely understanding heart failure. Here's what actually happens when you approach it differently.
When you know your priority diseases inside and out, something shifts. You start recognizing patterns. A patient with sudden shortness of breath? On the flip side, think PE before you think pneumonia. Chest pain with diaphoresis? Now, that's MI until proven otherwise. These aren't just mnemonics – they're clinical judgment shortcuts.
The NCLEX loves testing your ability to prioritize care. Practically speaking, they'll give you a complex patient scenario and expect you to identify the immediate threat. If you've mastered these 70 diseases, you'll spot the danger signs faster than students still flipping through their textbooks.
And here's the kicker – these same diseases will dominate your first year as a working nurse. Master them now, and you're not just passing an exam. You're building the foundation for safe patient care.
How This Cheat Sheet Actually Works
Let's talk strategy. In real terms, this cheat sheet isn't meant to be passively read. It's designed for active recall – the difference between recognizing information and truly knowing it Not complicated — just consistent..
Cardiovascular System Diseases (15)
Myocardial Infarction – Chest pain, diaphoresis, SOB, nausea. MONA: Morphine, Oxygen, Nitroglycerin, Aspirin. Watch for arrhythmias and cardiogenic shock Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Heart Failure – Fluid retention, dyspnea, orthopnea. Focus on diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and daily weights. Pulmonary edema = immediate concern.
Atrial Fibrillation – Irregularly irregular pulse, palpitations. Rate control vs. rhythm control. Anticoagulation is key – don't forget about stroke prevention.
Deep Vein Thrombosis – Unilateral leg swelling, pain, warmth. Homan's sign isn't reliable. Anticoagulants, not thrombolytics (unless massive PE).
Pulmonary Embolism – Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia. Think "lung heart attack." Assess oxygenation constantly.
Hypertensive Crisis – Severe HTN with end-organ damage. Differentiate hypertensive urgency from emergency. Watch for encephalopathy and acute kidney injury.
Cardiac Tamponade – Beck's triad: hypotension, muffled heart sounds, JVD. Beck's not Beckham – but it'll save lives Worth keeping that in mind..
Aortic Aneurysm – Often asymptomatic until rupture. AAA screening for men over 65. Surgical emergency when symptomatic.
Peripheral Artery Disease – Claudication, ABI <0.9. Smoking cessation and antiplatelet therapy. Watch for critical limb ischemia.
Varicose Veins – Superficial veins, aching. Compression stockings, ambulation. Prevent progression to stasis dermatitis That alone is useful..
Raynaud's Phenomenon – Color changes with cold exposure. Keep patients warm, avoid vasoconstrictors.
Marfan Syndrome – Tall stature, lens dislocation, aortic root dilation. Beta-blockers for aortic protection.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – Asymmetric septal hypertrophy. Sudden cardiac death risk in young athletes. Avoid intense competitive sports.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Enlarged ventricles, reduced EF. Alcohol is a common cause. Heart transplant consideration.
Pericarditis – Sharp chest pain, improves with leaning forward. NSAIDs first-line treatment.
Respiratory System Diseases (12)
Pneumonia – Fever, productive cough, consolidation on chest X-ray. Sputum culture, antibiotics, incentive spirometry.
COPD – Chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Pursed-lip breathing, tripod positioning. Oxygen titration critical – target SpO₂ 88–92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
Asthma – Reversible airway obstruction, wheezing, cough variant exists. Stepwise therapy: SABA rescue, ICS maintenance. Silent chest = impending respiratory failure.
Pulmonary Embolism – Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic pain, tachycardia. Wells criteria, D-dimer, CTA chest. Heparin bridge to DOAC/warfarin. Massive PE = thrombolytics or embolectomy.
Tuberculosis – Night sweats, hemoptysis, weight loss. Airborne isolation (negative pressure). RIPE therapy x 6 months. Directly observed therapy (DOT) standard Small thing, real impact..
Lung Cancer – Smoking history, weight loss, superior vena cava syndrome. Biopsy for staging. Paraneoplastic syndromes: SIADH (small cell), hypercalcemia (squamous).
Pleural Effusion – Dullness to percussion, decreased breath sounds. Transudate vs. exudate (Light’s criteria). Thoracentesis for diagnosis and symptom relief.
Pneumothorax – Sudden unilateral pain, absent breath sounds. Tension pneumothorax = tracheal deviation, hypotension, JVD. Needle decompression (2nd ICS MCL) then chest tube.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome – Refractory hypoxemia, bilateral infiltrates, non-cardiogenic. Low tidal volume ventilation (6 mL/kg), prone positioning, conservative fluids And it works..
Cystic Fibrosis – Autosomal recessive, ΔF508 mutation. Thick mucus, recurrent infections, pancreatic insufficiency. Airway clearance, CFTR modulators (e.g., Trikafta) And that's really what it comes down to. Nothing fancy..
Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Snoring, witnessed apneas, daytime somnolence. STOP-BANG screening. CPAP gold standard. Untreated = HTN, arrhythmias, stroke risk Small thing, real impact..
Interstitial Lung Disease – Progressive fibrosis, “velcro” crackles. High-resolution CT pattern (UIP). Pirfenidone/nintedanib slow progression. Lung transplant evaluation early It's one of those things that adds up..
Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Diseases (14)
GERD – Heartburn, regurgitation, worse supine. Lifestyle mods first: HOB elevation, weight loss, trigger avoidance. PPI 30 min before breakfast. Alarm symptoms = endoscopy Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Peptic Ulcer Disease – Epigastric pain, H. pylori association. Test and treat. PPI x 4–8 weeks. NSAID cessation. Perforation = rigid abdomen, free air = surgical emergency.
Gastritis – Nausea, vomiting, epigastric burning. Alcohol, NSAIDs, H. pylori, stress (Curling’s/Cushing’s ulcers). Sucralfate coats mucosa; avoid antacids with other meds.
Appendicitis – Periumbilical → RLQ pain (McBurney’s), anorexia, low-grade fever. Alvarado score. CT confirmatory. Laparoscopic appendectomy. Rupture = abscess, peritonitis.
Diverticulitis – LLQ pain, fever, leukocytosis. Uncomplicated: oral antibiotics, liquid diet. Complicated (abscess, perforation): IV antibiotics, drainage, possible resection. Colonoscopy 6 weeks post-resolution.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Crohn’s (transmural, skip lesions, fistula) vs. UC (mucosal, continuous, bloody diarrhea). 5-ASA, steroids, biologics (anti-TNF). Toxic megacolon = surgical emergency Less friction, more output..
Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Rome IV criteria: pain related to defecation, stool frequency/form change. Diagnosis of exclusion. FODMAP diet, antispasmodics, gut-brain agents (TCAs/SSRIs).
Gastroenteritis – Viral (norovirus), bacterial (Salmonella, Campylobacter), parasitic. Oral rehydration first. Antibiotics only for specific pathogens/severe cases. Watch for HUS with E. coli O157:H7 Simple, but easy to overlook..
Acute Pancreatitis – Epigastric → back pain, lipase >3x ULN. Ranson’s/BISAP for severity. Aggressive LR resuscitation, early enteral feeding. Gallstones/EtOH = top causes. Necrotizing = infected necrosis = debridement.
Cholelithiasis/Cholecystitis – RUQ pain, Murphy’s sign, fatty food intolerance. Ultrasound first-line. Cholecystectomy for symptomatic stones. Choledocholithiasis = ERCP then cholecystectomy.
Acute Hepatitis – Jaundice, RUQ pain, transaminitis (AST/ALT 1000s). Viral serologies (A-E), toxicology (APAP),
continued. Acute Hepatitis – Jaundice, RUQ pain, transaminitis (AST/ALT 1000s). Viral serologies (A-E), toxicology (APAP overdose), autoimmune markers (ANA, ASMA), and metabolic causes (NAFLD, Wilson’s). Acute viral hepatitis: A/B/C (PCR/serology), D/E (PCR). Acute liver failure: INR >6.9 ± coagulopathy = 95% mortality. Worth adding: Chronic Liver Disease – Cirrhosis complications: hepatic encephalopathy (flapping tremor, asterixis), ascites (paracentesis), varices (beta-blockers, banding), hepatorenal syndrome (vasoactive drugs). Liver transplant evaluation for refractory cases. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) – Steatosis → steatohepatitis (NASH) → fibrosis. Now, management: weight loss (>5% improves histology), metformin, vitamin E, pioglitazone; avoid fructose/alcohol. Gallbladder Disease – Cholecystitis (Murphy’s sign, fever), cholelithiasis (ultrasound), and biliary colic. On the flip side, eRCP for choledocholithiasis. Pancreatic Disorders – Chronic pancreatitis: upper abdominal pain, malabsorption. That's why workup: MRCP, serum lipase, fecal elastase. Here's the thing — diabetes risk. Hepatobiliary Cancers – Hepatocellular carcinoma (HBsAg+/alcohol history), cholangiocarcinoma (CA 19-9 elevated). Early-stage resection; palliative stenting for obstruction. On top of that, Nutritional Deficiencies – B12 (pernicious anemia), iron (dysplasia), folate (macrocytic anemia). Screen in malabsorption syndromes (celiac, Crohn’s). Celiac Disease – Diarrhea, weight loss, dermatitis herpetiformis. Worth adding: dGP/IgA tTG blood test; biopsy confirmation. Strict gluten-free diet. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Complications – Fistulas, strictures, refractory disease. Biologics (anti-TNF, vedolizumab), immunomodulators (azathioprine). Still, surveillance colonoscopy for dysplasia. Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage – Upper vs. Think about it: lower source: endoscopy (EGD, colonoscopy). Worth adding: anemia workup (ferritin, serum iron). In practice, Hepatic Encephalopathy – Ammonia accumulation; lactulose (non-absorbable disaccharide), rifaximin (antibiotic). Avoid sedatives. Electrolyte Imbalances – Hypokalemia (K+ <3.5): arrhythmias, muscle weakness. And correction with KCL, monitor ECG. Because of that, hyperkalemia (K+ >6. 0): peaked T-waves, ECG changes. Day to day, Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders – GERD (hiatus hernia), gastroparesis (delayed emptying). Test: gastric emptying scintigraphy. Treat: prokinetics (metoclopramide), small bowel diet. In real terms, Hepatobiliary Infections – Pyelonephritis (renal), cholangitis (CBD stones), liver abscess (fever, leukocytosis). Consider this: imaging (ultrasound/CT), antibiotics (ceftriaxone, ampicillin). Now, Gastrointestinal Bleeding – Upper (vomitus, melena) vs. lower (hematochezia). Which means blood transfusions, endoscopic hemostasis (epinephrine, clips, coils). Worth adding: Gastrointestinal Obstruction – Mechanical (adhesions, tumors) vs. Which means functional (ileus). Imaging (X-ray/CT), NG tube decompression. Gastrointestinal Bleeding – Upper vs. lower source: endoscopy (EGD, colonoscopy). On the flip side, anemia workup (ferritin, serum iron). Now, Hepatobiliary Infections – Pyelonephritis (renal), cholangitis (CBD stones), liver abscess (fever, leukocytosis). Imaging (ultrasound/CT), antibiotics (ceftriaxone, ampicillin). Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders – GERD (hiatus hernia), gastroparesis (delayed emptying). Consider this: test: gastric emptying scintigraphy. Treat: prokinetics (metoclopramide), small bowel diet. Now, Gastrointestinal Bleeding – Upper (vomitus, melena) vs. So naturally, lower (hematochezia). Even so, blood transfusions, endoscopic hemostasis (epinephrine, clips, coils). Now, Gastrointestinal Obstruction – Mechanical (adhesions, tumors) vs. functional (ileus). Imaging (X-ray/CT), NG tube decompression. Gastrointestinal Bleeding – Upper (vomitus, melena) vs. Here's the thing — lower (hematochezia). Because of that, blood transfusions, endoscopic hemostasis (epinephrine, clips, coils). Gastrointestinal Obstruction – Mechanical (adhesions, tumors) vs. functional (ileus). Imaging (X-ray/CT), NG tube decompression. Gastrointestinal Bleeding – Upper (vomitus, melena) vs. lower (hematochezia). Blood transfusions, endoscopic hemostasis (epinephrine, clips, coils). Gastrointestinal Obstruction – Mechanical (adhesions, tumors) vs. functional (ileus). Imaging (X-ray/CT), NG tube decompression. Which means Gastrointestinal Bleeding – Upper (vomitus, melena) vs. lower (hematochezia). Blood transfusions, endoscopic hemostasis (epinephrine, clips, coils) And that's really what it comes down to..
, tumors) often necessitates surgical evaluation when conservative measures fail, particularly if strangulation or perforation is suspected. Bowel rest, fluid resuscitation, and correction of underlying metabolic disturbances remain the initial priorities in stable patients Worth keeping that in mind. Turns out it matters..
Beyond these acute presentations, chronic management of hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal disease requires a multidisciplinary approach. Nutritional support, routine surveillance endoscopy for high-risk cohorts, and judicious use of pharmacotherapy can reduce recurrence and improve quality of life. Early identification of red-flag symptoms—such as unintentional weight loss, persistent dysphagia, or unexplained anemia—should prompt expedited investigation rather than empirical treatment.
To keep it short, effective care of digestive and hepatobiliary disorders depends on rapid pattern recognition, targeted diagnostics, and etiology-specific therapy. While many conditions share overlapping symptoms, systematic assessment of source, severity, and complications allows clinicians to intervene precisely and prevent progression to life-threatening illness.
People argue about this. Here's where I land on it.
