Appendix A: Things You Forgot
Throughout this book, we have tried to simplify your preparation for the NCLEX® exam. This appendix includes information you have learned during nursing school but might have forgotten.
Therapeutic Drug Levels
Therapeutic drug levels that are important for the nurse to remember when taking the NCLEX® exam include:
• Digoxin: 0.5–2.0 ng/mL
• Lithium: 0.8-1.2 mEq/L* (NIH value)
• Dilantin: 10–20 mcg/mL
• Theophylline: 10–20 mcg/mL
Note
*The therapeutic range for lithium may vary slightly according to laboratory methods used. Lithium toxicity occurs at levels greater than 1.5 mEq/L.
Vital Signs
Normal ranges for the vital signs of the adult and the newborn:
• Adult heart rate: 80–100 beats per minute
• Newborn heart ...
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